Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), the only public hospital system in Massachusetts, will lead Mental Health Awareness Training programming to implement the evidenced-based Mental Health First Aid curriculum in our primary service area of eight communities located in the greater Boston region: Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Revere, Winthrop. With an estimated population of 475,000, this geographic catchment area includes culturally diverse communities with some of the highest needs. Economic and social conditions have been profoundly impacted by COVID. These stressors have significantly increased mental health challenges for children and youth, healthcare providers, and residents in the region. In addition, CHA will also launch a Youth Ambassador Team to design and lead a mental health and wellness campaign aimed at reducing stigma against mental health in the eight communities. Our project goal is to expand access to Mental Health First Aid training in order to strengthen risk assessment for mental health issues impacting children, youth, law enforcement and emergency personnel and the communities they serve, and those who receive care and services from Cambridge Health Alliance. As a result, training participants will be able to make appropriate referrals to licensed mental health providers and provide helpful resources for the populations of focus. Over the course of five years, we will train 1500 individuals (400 in Year 1; 450 in Year 2; 4500 in Year 3, 550 in Year 4, 550 in Year 5) including teachers, school based personnel and after school staff working with children and adolescents, law enforcement and emergency services personnel, parents and caregivers of children with serious emotional disturbance (SED), and primary care and healthcare providers within the Cambridge Health Alliance network. We also propose training high school students using the evidenced-based curriculum Teen Mental Health First Aid in partnership with local public schools and afterschool providers. By 2026 at least 85% of Mental Health First Aid participants will agree or strongly agree that they are able to recognize the signs of a mental health problem, reach out to someone dealing with a mental health problem, and assist a person dealing with a mental health challenge or crisis in seeking appropriate professional help and resources in the community. By 2026 at least 400 participants will have documented referrals.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
