Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
Healthy Community Coalition, a subsidiary of MaineHealth and part of Franklin Memorial Hospital will implement a comprehensive and coordinated approach in Franklin County, Maine to increase mental health awareness among individuals who interact and come in contact with persons experiencing or exhibiting symptoms of a mental disorder. Through implementation of evidenced-based programs this 5-year project will increase the recognition of mental health problems, provision of adequate support, and referrals for help. The project will: 1) Train individuals to recognize signs and symptoms of mental disorders and employ crisis de-escalation techniques; 2) Establish linkages with schools and mental health agencies to refer individuals with signs and symptoms of mental illness to appropriate resources; and 3) Educate individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with mental disorders. This project will implement a train-the-trainer model to provide sustainable and extensive course offerings using the evidence-based Mental Health First Aid training program targeting those whose lives are touched by the selected at-risk focus populations of veterans, active armed service members and school-aged children. Over the course of this grant a core of at least 920 unduplicated individuals will be trained engaging broad sectors of Franklin County including families, veterans, law enforcement agents, emergency first responders, health care professionals, and school personnel. Social media and marketing will have an extensive reach impacting several thousand individuals with messaging regarding mental health services and resources. Project partners have the capacity to respond efficiently and appropriately to the anticipated 25% increase in mental health care referrals. This comprehensive and coordinated approach to mental health awareness training will strengthen the community’s capacity to identify and safely respond to individuals with signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and refer them for appropriate treatment enhancing the safety and quality of life in Franklin County.
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).
