Cooley Dickinson Awards $100,000 to Support Youth Mental Health, Well-being

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH), part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, announced an award of $100,000 in Community Health Impact Funds (CHIF) to Safe Passage. The funds will support the community-driven priority of youth mental health through Safe Passage’s innovative Youth Engaged and Prevention of Domestic Violence proposal.

This CHIF investment has resulted from Cooley Dickinson’s planned Emergency Department expansion through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s determination-of-need process, which was overseen by Cooley Dickinson’s Community Advisory Board and guided by the hospital’s most recent community health needs assessment.

“With this much-needed expansion of our Emergency Department space, our patients will receive the care they deserve, and this funding will greatly strengthen the well-being of our communities — especially our youth,” said Debra Rogers, interim president and chief operating officer of Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

The two-year project focuses on boosting youth engagement and providing vital services to prevent domestic violence. The initiative is designed to strengthen the mental health and emotional resilience of young people in the Northampton community, providing them with the necessary tools to thrive.

“This initiative not only supports the mental health of young individuals, but also works to break the cycle of domestic violence, empowering youth in the communities we serve to lead healthier, more resilient lives,” said Dr. Elsie Taveras, chief Community Health and Health Equity officer at Mass General Brigham.

The award would not have been possible without the partnership of United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region (UWFH), which played a crucial role in bringing this project to the forefront and ensuring its success. Last year, UWFH also identified youth mental health as a top regional priority. Because of their common goal, UWFH and CDH were able to collaborate on their funding processes.

“It was an incredible opportunity for us to increase our impact by working together,” said Geoff Naunheim, executive director of UWFH. “Cross-sector collaboration is the only way to truly address this challenge.”

Marianne Winters, executive director of Safe Passage, added that “this funding will enable us to further our mission to create safer, stronger communities by addressing the root causes of violence and promoting mental health and well-being among youth. If our Say Something: Youth Initiative program has taught us anything, it’s that youth want to be involved. They have an incredibly unique perspective on what they want out of safe relationships, and we’re honored to help facilitate those conversations and champion the change that comes from them.”

This funding reflects Mass General Brigham’s commitment to the health and well-being of the communities it serves, Rogers noted. “By partnering with local organizations and the community, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families.”