Grants Will Help Ocean City Students With Wellness

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Grant money will help fund mental health awareness and substance use prevention programs in the Ocean City School District.

Ocean City High School (OCHS) and Ocean City Intermediate School (OCIS) were awarded $2,000 in grants through the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program, the district announced. With the funds from The Resiliency Innovation Grants, the district will design and print a mental health self-help and substance use prevention booklet that will be distributed to the OCHS community.

The grants will also assist with the ongoing substance use prevention and education initiatives at OCHS and OCIS, including activities, giveaways and guest speakers.

“We are grateful to be awarded this funding, which will continue our efforts to address students’ well-being,” said Angelina Montello, mental health counselor at OCHS. “Every student will receive a booklet with resources to support their mental health and prevent substance use. The grants will also help engage students in positive activities to help them thrive and overcome challenges.”

Student wellness is a priority across the district. A student-led OC Minds Matter club - part of a national organization - promotes mental health awareness; Montello publishes a monthly OCHS Wellness Newsletter; and the district maintains a Health and Wellness webpage with contacts and resources for a range of student mental health issues.

Ocean City School District received the Resiliency Innovation Grants following a Jan. 14 Wellness Grant Workshop at Stockton University.

Since 2005, AtlantiCare has been partnering with area schools to improve the health and wellness of staff, students and their families, with a vision of building a healthier community. Last year, the Healthy Schools, Healthy Children program awarded approximately $70,000 in grants to 59 local schools.