Horizon Foundation provides funding to the Mental Health Assoc.

Mental Health Association in New Jersey Receives Funding for

Youth Suicide Prevention Program

from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

(Springfield, NJ, January 2022) The Mental Health Association in New Jersey has received a grant in the amount of $25,000 from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The donation will fund a teen suicide prevention program in New Jersey entitled, A Focus on Youth Suicide Prevention, to be provided by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.

Teen suicide is a growing health concern. It is the second-leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24, surpassed only by accidents, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one often overlooked aspect of the rising rates of suicide in the U.S. is its impact on youth — and in particular, its impact on Black youth.

“The grant from Horizon will enable the Mental Health Association in New Jersey to implement a comprehensive, collaborative approach to suicide prevention. This aligns with our mission in striving for the best possible mental health for youth and adults in our state,” said Carolyn Beauchamp, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.

“A Focus on Youth Suicide Prevention will build a framework using QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a nationally used, evidence-based training program, to equip youth-serving organizations with the tools to build or strengthen a suicide prevention safety net for youth,” stated Jaime Angelini, the Association’s Statewide Director of Disaster Services and Special Projects.

Training will be provided to organizations across the state that serve the general population of youth in New Jersey, with a particular focus on youth of color and youth who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Organizations that serve youth which would like to participate in this teen suicide prevention program are encouraged to contact Ms. Angelini by calling her at 609-576-9498 or emailing her at jangelini@mhanj.org.

“Horizon is pleased to support the important work being done by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey to make New Jersey healthier,” said Jonathan R. Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “By training people who are in regular contact with young people in New Jersey, we can help increase awareness of mental health challenges and suicidal behaviors, reduce the stigma associated with emotional health disorders and better identify young people at risk of suicide.”

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About The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Its mission is to make New Jersey healthier by supporting non-profit organizations that expand access to health care, remove barriers to good health and increase opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who they are or where they live. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visit community.horizonblue.com

About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental health and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services. It is headquartered in Union County, with additional offices in Atlantic, Hudson and Ocean Counties and affiliates in Essex, Monmouth, Morris, and Passaic Counties. For more information visit https://www.mhanj.org/ or call 800-367-8850.