Andrea Pesavento in Vassar’s Office of Health Promotion and Education received a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Higher Ed/Harm Reduction Pilot Program grant through the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (CLMHD). CLMHD is leading a statewide initiative, in partnership with the NYS Offices of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Supports, to equip colleges with the tools and training necessary to support student mental health, enhance crisis intervention skills, and integrate harm reduction strategies into campus life.

As part of this program, thirty college faculty and staff are being trained as MHFA instructors across five participating colleges. They will then lead MHFA sessions on their campuses for students, faculty, and staff. The initiative is also connecting colleges with harm reduction resources to address substance use concerns on campus and county Directors of Community Services to ensure ongoing support and access to local mental health resources.

Vassar’s MHFA instructors for the pilot are Luis Inoa, Associate Dean of the College for Residential Life and Wellness; Michelle Quock, Director of First-generation, Low Income (FLI) Program; Jared Hunter, House Advisor, Office of Residential Life; Andrea Pesavento, Director of Health Promotion and Education; Nicole Adamo, Program Coordinator/Health Educator; Kaitlin Leach, Deputy Director of Athletics, Director of Student-Athlete Welfare & Senior Woman Administrator; and Heidi Hunsberger, Safety & Security Administrative Lieutenant. Eric D'Entrone, Clinical Program Director, Dutchess County DMH Dutchess County Department of Mental Health, is also participating.