Brianna Postle (left) and Abigail Tartaro, with t-shirts received at the Mental Health Matters Day held in Albany, NY.
SUNY Fredonia Social Work Lecturer Briana Postle and alumna Abigail Tartaro spoke at Mental Health Matters Day in Albany, NY.
Calling for greater attention to the urgent need for increased access to mental health services, particularly for Chautauqua County residents, was the central message they conveyed. Mental Health Matters Day 2025, held March 12, is the signature advocacy event of the Mental l Health Association of New York State.
Ms. Postle, of the Department of Sociocultural and Justice Sciences and its Social Work field coordinator, and Ms. Tartaro, who received a degree in Psychology at SUNY Fredonia in 2024, supported critical policy changes to address a variety of issues affecting mental health care, both locally and statewide. Tartaro is a candidate for a Master of Social Work degree at the State University at Buffalo.
We cannot ignore the critical role that Medicaid plays in supporting mental health and substance use services.” – Briana Postle
Key issues they advocated included:
• Expanding mental health services in schools. Ensuring that children and their families have early access to mental health support is essential. Advocates are pushing for more comprehensive services within schools to better address the mental health needs of students at a young age.
• Addressing the impact of TLC-Lake Shore Hospital closure. The closure has left a significant gap in inpatient mental health care in the region. Postle and Tartaro urged lawmakers to find solutions to fill this void and improve access to care for individuals in need.
• Rural communities' access to care. Chautauqua County, like many rural areas, faces challenges related to transportation and the limitations of telehealth services. Advocates emphasized the importance of overcoming these barriers to ensure that rural residents can receive the care they need.
• Protecting telehealth and Medicaid funding. In addition to advocating for telehealth to remain a reimbursable service by insurance companies, Postle and Tartaro addressed the critical issue of federal cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including many individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
With approximately 72 million Americans covered by Medicaid and nearly two in five facing mental health or substance use conditions, advocates stressed the importance of preserving Medicaid funding to maintain vital services for these vulnerable populations.
Mental Health Advocacy Day included a rally with speakers from across the state, followed by meetings with legislators. Postle and Tartaro were scheduled to meet with New York State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and New York State Senator George Borello to discuss these issues and push for meaningful policy changes that will ensure more equitable access to mental health care, especially for rural communities.
"We cannot ignore the critical role that Medicaid plays in supporting mental health and substance use services," said Postle, who is also a local mental health therapist. “For many in our community, it is the primary source of care. Protecting Medicaid funding is essential to ensuring that we can continue to provide services to those who need it most."
The trip to Albany was part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the gaps in mental health services and advocate for policies that will improve access for all New Yorkers, particularly those in underserved rural areas.”
