New York state will dedicate $10 million to expand mental health services at 28 State University of New York campuses, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

Allocated through the 2023-24 state budget, the funding will increase services for students, and build on SUNY’s Statewide Tele-Psychiatry Network (STPN) and new tele-counseling option for community colleges, Hochul said.

At least 25 campuses will hire, retain or extend the contracts of 90 mental health staff, and 14 campuses will leverage telehealth to increase capacity.

“We are making critical investments to ensure every New Yorker has access to high-quality mental health services,” Hochul said. “College can be a stressful and overwhelming time, and this funding will expand mental health services on college campuses so students can focus on just being students.”

About 40% of college students suffer from moderate or major depression, and more than 1 in 3 college students deal with anxiety, according to the latest annual Healthy Minds Survey.

SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr. highlighted the funding Wednesday during visits to SUNY Oswego and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

“Mental health is health, and as more students seek mental health care, we need to be there for them with expanded services, including having enough counselors on campus or online 24-7," King said.

SUNY’s Student Tele-Psychiatry Network (STPN) has grown to 56 campuses from four in 2018. The network primarily provides psychiatric services and medication management to students.

The 2023-24 state budget included an additional $163 million for SUNY operations and capital investments.