FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Marcie Brody
717-544-5044
Marcie.Brody@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Penn Medicine Lancaster
General Health Receives Grant
to Provide Mental Health Training
The
five-year federally funded grant will support
adults and students in
select area school districts.
Jan.
5, 2022, Lancaster, PA - Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, part of Penn
Medicine Lancaster General Health, and in partnership with Community Services
Group (CSG), is pleased to announce they are the recipients of a federal grant
to support LG Health’s new, comprehensive mental health training collaboration,
the Mental Health First Aid Community Collaborative.
The
Mental Health First Aid Community Collaborative is supported by a grant to Lancaster
General Hospital from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant
supports 100% of the project costs, budgeted for five years at $125,000 per
year.
Mental
illness, including serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbance, is
persistent, has significant community impact and requires community
interventions. Despite existing efforts, mental illness remains a challenge
facing youth and families in Lancaster County. The Pennsylvania Youth Survey
(PAYS) estimates that 1 in 5 students suffers from a mental health disorder and
1 in 3 shows symptoms of depression.
Over
five years, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health will work with CSG,
Hempfield, School District of Lancaster, Pequea Valley and Elizabethtown Area
school districts and community members to provide mental health training for
adults and youth. Mental Health First Aid training is an evidence-based
training that provides skills and resources necessary to recognize and address
mental illness, improve pathways to care and reduce stigma. By the end of the
project, over 4,000 students (specifically 10th graders) and community members
in the participating school districts will receive mental health training.
Trained students and community members will assist with early identification of
individuals who are experiencing mental health issues and connection to care.
“Penn
Medicine Lancaster General Health is committed to addressing mental well-being
in our community. Just like physical illnesses, mental health issues have a huge impact on
our lives. Recognizing mental health and substance use challenges can be
difficult, which is why it’s so important for everyone to understand the
warning signs, risk factors and how to get help,” said Mary LeVasseur
Dorman, health promotions specialist, Penn Medicine Lancaster General
Health.
“Community Services Group (CSG) has been committed to providing
Mental Health First Aid training since 2009. Like CPR training, Mental Health First Aid
helps individuals, regardless of clinical training or experience, to assist
someone experiencing a mental health crisis. This grant will enable us to not
only provide this critically important education in our communities, but it
will also bring the training and certification process into our schools,
allowing us to reach and empower teens to recognize early warning signs of
mental health crises and substance use in a friend or peer. This course will
help students to develop the confidence to talk to a
friend about mental health challenges and to
seek help and the support of a trusted adult,”
stated Julie Weaver, Vice President, Community Services Group.
For
questions or for more information on the grant, please contact:
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Mary
LeVasseur Dorman, Health Promotions Specialist
mary.dorman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
