$500K mental health grant approved for WNY Rural Area Health Education Center

Posted 9 February 2023 at 8:20 am

Press Release, Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center

WARSAW – Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) is excited to announce a federal award in the amount of $497,736 over the course of four years through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA).

R-AHEC will offer no-cost mental health first aid training in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. R-AHEC has been providing the mental health training since last year with funds from Wyoming Foundation and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. So far, R-AHEC has trained 221 youths and adults.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist with minor and/or major medical issues, MHFA prepares participants to interact with individuals experiencing mental health challenges and crises. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.

“Never has it been more important for our communities to talk about mental health and substance use,” says Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which helped bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008. “This program is breaking down barriers and stigma so that together we can learn how to better support one another. Without mental health, there is no health.”

R-AHEC will offer MHFA to approximately 200 individuals annually through this funding, providing them with the skills and resources they need. Training will be offered to the public and focus on participants from specific groups such as veterans, law enforcement, educators, parents, caregivers, first aid responders and healthcare workforce.

R-AHEC has six partners for this project: Clarity in Allegany County, Spectrum in Wyoming County, and the Departments of Mental Health/Hygiene in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Orleans counties.

“Since taking the Mental Health First Aid training with R-AHEC myself and my staff have utilized the skills we were taught numerous times,” said Jessica Hibbard, Associate Dean of Library and Academic Support Services at Genesee Community College. “Having these skills and knowing how to seek more help if needed give us peace of mind and confidence as we go about our day-to-day, knowing that we have the tools we need should we encounter a mental health challenge or crisis. The instructors were informative and engaging and the curriculum was designed with inclusivity in mind, which was very appreciated. This training should be mandatory for anyone working with the general public.”

  • 95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common Mental Health challenges.
  • 99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
  • 95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they had a better understanding of worsening signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
  • 97% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would share the knowledge, skills, and resources presented during this event.
  • 99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would be able to use much of what they learned.

If you are interested in more information, taking MHFA training, or partnering to provide the training, please contact Krysta Smith at (585) 786-6278 or via email at ksmith@r-ahec.org.


Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center, Inc. (R-AHEC)’s mission is “to improve health and healthcare through education.” R-AHEC is part of the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program.

R-AHEC serves a predominately rural 12-county region, headquartered in Warsaw in Wyoming County. Counties include Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. R-AHEC addresses the health needs of its rural and underserved communities by focusing on: Workforce Development, Housing, Education and Health Information Technology Support. For more information, visit R-AHEC’s website at www.r-ahec.org.