Madison Area YMCA Community Mental Health Initiative Awarded $5,000 Grant

The Community Mental Health Initiative of the Madison Area YMCA was
awarded a $5,000 grant by the Tri-State CEO Taskforce and YMCA of the
USA at a YMCA Tri-State conference held in Mahwah. The grant will be
used to support the initiative and subsidize the cost of Mental Health
First Aid training for community members.

“We are pleased to partner with the Tri-State CEO Task Force on awarding
this grant to the Madison Area YMCA’s Community Mental Health
Initiative,” said Kathe Elwell, director of Donor Relations at YMCA of
the USA. “With smart, achievable goals, CMHI is addressing a public
health issue, filling a major gap in the continuum of health services at
a time when mental health is rapidly becoming a leading issue across
the nation.”

The Y’s Community Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) raises awareness and
lowers the stigma associated with mental illness. CHMI also focuses on
reducing barriers to mental health care by providing community members
with knowledge and skills to increase help-offering behaviors. The Y
provides opportunities to become certified in Mental Health First Aid.
An evidence-based skills training course, MHFA, is designed for
non-mental health professionals, preparing them to know how to help
reduce the social distance between people with mental illnesses and
others.

The Madison Area YMCA is a 501c(3) cause-driven charitable organization
dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy
living and social responsibility. Generous donations make it possible
for everyone in the community to be enriched by the Y, regardless of
ability to pay, to develop a healthy spirit, mind and body at any age.