Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, in partnership with Community Services Group (CSG), has been awarded a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support LG Health’s new, comprehensive mental health training collaboration, the Mental Health First Aid Community Collaborative.
Over the next five years, the project will provide trainings that are proven and evidence-based for adult, youth, and teen mental health first aid (AMHFA, YMHFA, tMHFA). More than 4,000 10th grade students, school staff, law enforcement, community members and family members/caregivers in area school districts will benefit from the trainings. Participating districts include Hempfield School District, the School District of Lancaster, Pequea Valley School District, and Elizabethtown School District.
“Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is committed to addressing mental well-being and reducing stigma in our community. Just like physical illnesses, mental health problems 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.
By the end of the project, 90 percent of 10th graders in the participating school districts will receive mental health training as well as an anticipated 150 local law enforcement officers (50 percent) in the four targeted school districts. The project will also provide at least four trainings per year for family members/caregivers and community members.