Jewish Healthcare Foundation Supports The CHILL Project™ by AHN to Deliver Behavioral Health Solutions for Teen Mental Health

Pittsburgh, PA -- The CHILL Project™ by Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute has received a $15,000 grant from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) to support teen mental health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the grant will go toward the use of virtual and hybrid arts-based techniques to further engage teens at Baldwin High School in mental health and well-being.

The AHN Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health created The CHILL Project to transform the delivery of behavioral health in school communities by offering localized and mindfulness informed solutions leading to improved long-term and sustainable outcomes for students, educators, and caregivers.

Piloted in the fall of 2019 at Baldwin-Whitehall and West Jefferson Hills School Districts, the program has reached over 2,500 individuals including students, educators and administrators. Through school-based therapy, support groups, classroom consults, family sessions, and more, participants are taught skills to help them increase mindfulness which leads to better decision making and behaviors.

A recent study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) shows that compared to adults, this pandemic may continue to have increased long-term adverse consequences on the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents. According to the study, the nationwide closures of schools and colleges have negatively impacted over 91 percent of the world's student population, and found that older adolescents and youth are particularly more anxious regarding cancellation of examinations, exchange programs and social and academic events.

“We are excited to be partnering with AHN to support the advancement of critical mental health services and mindfulness practices to students,” said Karen Wolk Feinstein, President and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. “This funding plays a significant role in enabling teens to have immediate access to additional virtual and hybrid tools for emotional support, interaction and connection, which are so critical during the covid-19 pandemic.”

“AHN is grateful to the Jewish Healthcare Foundation for their support of this pivotal and timely project,” said Allie Quick, Chief Philanthropy Officer at AHN. "This initial investment will serve as a catalyst to expand the intersection of mindfulness, the arts and behavioral health across the CHILL platform of services.”

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