Youth Mental Health First Aid Boosts Community Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention
In early 2015, BGW worked with two healthcare systems to secure the “Now is the Time” Project AWARE Community Grant through the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
BGW assumed the role of project manager and lead writer for all facets of the application process. This included developing a project schedule, research and writing, budget review, coordination with the evaluation partner, packaging and final submission with the client.
These efforts resulted in a $150,000 grant award to support a community wide Youth Mental Health First Aid training initiative. As a result of this project, youth interacting adults are becoming equipped to recognize and respond quickly to the early warning signs of mental health crisis in youth.