FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Gem Project Offers Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for 150 Individuals, Funded by The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey
Newark, NJ – July 26, 2024 – The Gem Project is excited to announce that, thanks to a generous grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, The Gem Project will be offering free Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and certification for 150 parents, educators, and youth-serving professionals in Newark, New Jersey. This initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to address mental health challenges in underserved communities and empower youth practitioners, schools, and organizations.
In collaboration with Mental Health First Aid, our certified instructors will deliver an evidence-based, early intervention course developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. These sessions, available both virtually and in-person, utilize community-specific scenarios, activities, and videos to help participants recognize signs of mental health challenges and provide initial support until professional help is accessed. Successful participants will receive certifications valid for up to three years.
Beyond training, The Gem Project is dedicated to boosting high school to college student engagement and on-time graduation through a yearlong paid fellowship. This program focuses on peer mentoring, youth organizing, employment, and service-learning initiatives through a social justice lens. Our vision is to empower diverse youth to effect positive community change through leadership, training, and civic engagement.
Course Overview: The YMHFA course is a 6.5-hour public education program designed to provide early intervention for mental health and substance use problems in youth. It equips adults working with youth aged 12-18 with the skills to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health issues, listen non-judgmentally, and refer individuals to appropriate professional support and services.
Course Objectives:
- Teach learners to recognize patterns indicating mental health problems
- Focus on the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE) for non-crisis and crisis scenarios
- Empower participants to take appropriate action to help youth experiencing mental health issues
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey has awarded The Gem Project $22,443.00 to support this initiative. Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable, underserved populations in greater Newark and the Jewish Community of Greater MetroWest NJ, elevate the quality of community healthcare, reduce disparities in access, and promote compassion and humanism in healthcare.
“We are incredibly grateful to The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for their support. This funding allows us to provide vital mental health training to those who work closely with our youth. By equipping our community with these skills, we can create a more supportive environment where young people feel understood and cared for,” said Amanda Ebokosia, CEO of The Gem Project. “This initiative is a crucial step in addressing the mental health disparities that have long affected historically marginalized youth in Newark.”
Through this partnership, 150 people will be certified by September 30, 2024, significantly enhancing our community’s ability to support youth mental health.
For more information or to register for the training, please visit [website: https://bit.ly/ymhfa150gem] or contact hq@thegemproject.org.
About The Gem Project: The Gem Project works to boost high school to college student engagement and on-time graduation through peer mentoring, youth organizing, employment, and service-learning initiatives. We aim to empower diverse youth to effect positive community change through leadership, training, and civic engagement.
About The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey: The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey seeks to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable, underserved populations in greater Newark and the Jewish Community of Greater MetroWest NJ. The Foundation aims to elevate community healthcare quality, reduce disparities in access, and infuse compassion and humanism into the healthcare system.
Contact: hq@thegemproject.org