Health dept. gets $300K for youth mental health

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Health Department recently announced it has been awarded a three-year, $300,000 Adolescent Health Resiliency Grant from the Ohio Department of Health. A completely new grant to the agency, funding is dedicated to strengthening and supporting adolescent mental health. This targeted initiative will unite our nine mental health care providers in a coordinated effort to strengthen local support systems and directly improve child-based mental health outcomes across the region. Mental health challenges continue to burden a large population of individuals in Ohio. Children and adolescents experience rising mental health challenges each year. And a lack of positive adult relationships influences their mental and emotional development. With this new state funding, the health department will: • Implement comprehensive training sessions for community members • Provide detailed access to trauma-informed information • Secure a wide-reaching safety net of trauma-informed adults across Erie County "This funding is a wonderful resource for children and adolescents in our community," said Dr. Melanie Kennebeck, the health department's behavioral health director. "With this funding, we can create healthy support systems that will support youth mental health needs and begin breaking the stigma and struggle around mental health." How will the money be spent? Over the course of three years, the grant will provide for several key plans for success: • Training sessions, which will provide mental health education to educators, coaches, faith-based leaders and grassroots community organizers to transform theoretical knowledge into practical application • Youth engagement groups; The health department will work with area youths to bridge the gap between adolescent lived experience and public health policy. "We're proud to put this initiative into full swing," county health commissioner Pete Schade said. "Our goal is to improve the health and wellness of the community, and that starts with our youth and with mental health. This program is built to increase youth mental health resiliency and curate a community of hope." The health department is committed to fostering a healthier, safer environment for all residents. Those interested in learning more about available mental and behavioral health services are encouraged to visit eriecohealthohio.com.