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������’s Center for Public Policy and Health in the College of Public Health was recently awarded $600,000 in grant funding by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to support the Northeast Ohio Mental Health Awareness Training (NEO MHAT).

Using evidence-based mental health awareness training and community resource education, NEO MHAT will train teachers and relevant school personnel to connect children and youth in a school setting to appropriate mental health resources. Using Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Youth Mental Health First Aid, NEO MHAT will train teachers and relevant school personnel on how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental disorders and how to de-escalate crises safely. In addition, NEO MHAT will provide education on appropriate resources available in the community.

NEO MHAT is a collaborative project with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio; Stark County Educational Service Center; Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County; and Stark County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery. The project spans 69 school districts in nine counties in Northeast Ohio, including large cities like Cleveland and Akron. The nine counties are Carroll, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne.

Principal Investigator Kim Laurene, Ph.D., assistant professor in ������’s Center for Public Policy and Health, is pleased to receive this grant and to create a meaningful impact for Northeast Ohio.

“As mental health continues to be on the forefront of so many people’s minds, we are extremely fortunate for this funding and look forward to working with our partners to provide this valuable training across Northeast Ohio,” Laurene said. “At the center, we see firsthand the urgent need to connect students with mental health resources. We believe this project will significantly impact students’ mental health and prepare teachers and school personnel with the resources they need in Northeast Ohio.”

For more information about ������’s Center for Public Policy and Health, visit www.kent.edu/cpph.

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������ ������’s Center for Public Policy and Health
The mission of the Center for Public Policy and Health in ������’s College of Public Health is to research, develop and improve public policies aimed at improving the public’s health and to provide targeted assistance to public, nonprofit and private sector organizations that share this health mission. The center pursues its mission by engaging faculty, staff, outside experts and students in scholarly activities that build their capabilities to make public health contributions.

Top Photo Caption:
The ������ team of students and employees who will support the Northeast Ohio Mental Health Awareness Training stand outside Lowry Hall, home of the university’s College of Public Health, for a group photo.

Media Contacts:
Kim Laurene, klaurene@kent.edu, 330-672-0081
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595