Mental Health Collaborative (MHC) has received funding from the Richard Voke Charitable Fund to expand preventive mental health education for young people and the adults who support them in Chelsea and Charlestown.
The partnership will support MHC’s work with schools and community organizations to bring mental health literacy education to students, educators, coaches, parents, caregivers, and others who work with young people. MHC plans to hire a program manager to lead the initiative, build local partnerships, and tailor programming to each community’s needs.
“We’re thrilled to work with the Richard Voke Charitable Fund to bring mental health education to young people and the adults who support them in Chelsea and Charlestown,” said Abbie Rosenberg, founder and CEO of Mental Health Collaborative. “Stigma and a lack of understanding about mental illnesses can prevent people from recognizing when they or someone they love needs help. We want to change that by giving people the knowledge to have these conversations, seek support earlier, and get the care they need and deserve.”
The grant honors Richard A. Voke, a Chelsea native who represented Chelsea and Charlestown in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for two decades. Throughout his life, Voke was committed to public service and to improving the lives of children and families in the communities he represented. He remained involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea until his death
“Strong communities are built when young people have both the opportunities to pursue ambitious futures and the support they need to thrive along the way,” said Alyssa Wall, director of the Richard Voke Charitable Fund. “Mental Health Collaborative’s work recognizes that mental health education is an essential part of that foundation. We are proud to partner with MHC to expand this work in Chelsea and Charlestown and to invest in communities that are central to the Voke Charitable Fund’s commitment to education, opportunity, public service, and the well-being of young people.”
Working with local partners, MHC will identify which programs and delivery formats best meet each community’s needs. The work may include education for students, educators, coaches, parents and caregivers, and staff at organizations that serve young people.
MHC’s programs help participants reduce stigma, understand mental illnesses and their treatments, maintain positive mental health, and know when and how to seek help. Programs can be delivered directly, through self-paced e-courses, or through a train-the-trainer model that prepares educators and other professionals to continue teaching them over time.
About Mental Health Collaborative
Mental Health Collaborative builds resilient communities through mental health education and awareness. Its programs give students, young adults, and the people who support them practical knowledge about mental health, mental illnesses, and how to seek help. MHC works with schools, organizations, and individuals, offering programs that can be adapted to each setting and sustained through its train-the-trainer model. Learn more at mentalhealthcollaborative.org.