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Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation Award $1.1 Million to The Jed Foundation to Protect the Mental Health of New York’s Youth

Funding will help expand emotional well-being resources, educational workshops, and training programs for community-based organizations that foster communities of care statewide

September 20, 2024, NEW YORK CITY —  Fidelis Care, a leading health insurer providing quality, affordable coverage to New Yorkers, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, announced today a $1.1 million grant to The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.

With this grant, JED will expand its current services, providing at least five youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) with consultation or strategic planning services, including expert guidance, educational workshops, and training programs, equipping young people with life skills and connecting them to mental health care when they are in distress.

“We are thrilled to support the vital work of The Jed Foundation with this grant,” said Vincent Marchello, Chief Medical Officer at Fidelis Care. “At Fidelis Care, we recognize the importance of mental health services in creating healthier communities. This investment underscores our commitment to ensuring youth and adolescents have access to the critical support they need to thrive.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is currently estimated that nearly one in five 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States experience a major depressive episode every year, and almost half of teens 13 to 17 say they would seek out professional help only as a last resort. In New York State, the need for enhanced mental health support for school-aged youth is critical: in 2021, 57% of New York 12- to 17-year-olds with depression had not received any care in the last year.

“JED is grateful to Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation for their commitment to supporting the emotional well-being of New York youth and for providing the resources to help them thrive,” said John MacPhee, JED Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership will allow us to bring JED’s lifesaving work to community-based organizations across the state and help them build on their mental health safety nets and approaches, while positively impacting the lives of thousands of young people.”

The inaugural group of CBOs includes Bottom Line, an organization that partners with degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds as they get into and through college and launch mobilizing first careers; Hetrick-Martin Institute, which provides free, year-round programs and services for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies aged 13 to 24 in New York City; and Prep for Prep, which provides first-rate educational, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities for young people of color in New York City.

"Through decades of experience at Bottom Line, we have seen that the condition of a student's mental health plays a significant role in their overall journey to becoming a college graduate and professional,” said Sheneita R. Graham, Director of Culturally Responsive Programming at Bottom Line. “Our role at Bottom Line is to build strong relationships that assist us in determining need and connecting students to resources that will help them thrive personally to persist academically. Partnering with The Jed Foundation grants us the opportunity to expertly assess our mental health policies, processes, and resources to ensure we provide our students with thoughtful, high-quality support."

"Hetrick-Martin Institute is pleased to be working with The Jed Foundation to improve our ability to recognize young people in distress and conduct suicide risk assessments," said Bridget Hughes, Chief Program Officer at Hetrick-Martin Institute.

"We are so grateful to The Jed Foundation for hosting two workshops for our incoming college freshmen as part of our annual College Transition Retreat,” said Corey Rhoades, Director of Undergraduate Affairs at Prep for Prep. “The presenters shared their expertise and tailored the sessions in a way that was uniquely relevant and engaging for our students."

To learn more about ways to provide community-based organizations with consulting, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect youth mental health and prevent suicide, visit JED’s website.

Fidelis-JED-Social


Screener Program Provides Support to Families Impacted by Social Determinants of Health

SDoH-chart

Fidelis Care’s innovative SDoH screener program was launched two years ago as a grassroots health equity initiative to address conditions in the environments where people are born, live, work, and play that affect their health, well-being, and quality of life. Social Determinants of Health can affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes – particularly among vulnerable populations and in underserved areas.

The screener enables trained Fidelis Care representatives to assess an individual’s immediate needs and challenges related to SDoH through a brief series of questions covering areas such as access to transportation, food, and secure and safe housing. More than 450,000 Fidelis Care members have participated to date.


Click 
here to learn more about the different Social Determinants of Health and find available resources.


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6/5/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care • in Caregiver Support, Health and Wellness, In The Community, Mental Health
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7/20/2023 • Posted by Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director • in Health and Wellness, Mental Health
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6/5/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care • in Caregiver Support, Health and Wellness, In The Community, Mental Health
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Fidelis Care visited partner New Choices Recovery Center, an alcohol and drug treatment facility in Schenectady, and talked with Clinical Coordinator Meagan Rivers, LMHC, NCC, CCTP.
5/6/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care • in Children's Health, Health and Wellness, Mental Health
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week is May 5 to 11. Held during National Mental Health Awareness Month, this week highlights the importance of early detection, intervention, and support for children facing mental health challenges. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), notes that about one in six U.S. children ages 6 to 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year, making this week a vital opportunity to explore the issue.
5/1/2024 • Posted by Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright, Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health, and Dr. Celeste Johns, HARP Medical Director • in Caregiver Support, Health and Wellness, Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental, physical, and social health are linked. They impact each other. This is called the “mind-body connection.” There is no complete health without mental health. Many studies show that poor physical health can lead to mental health problems. These may include depression, low motivation, and anxiety. Poor mental health also can lead to physical problems. These may include chronic pain, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
2/26/2024 • Posted by Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds, Fidelis Care Medical Director • in Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Women's Health
This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week takes place from February 26 to March 3. This week raises awareness and promotes understanding about eating disorders. It is a good time to offer help and provide resources for support. Eating disorders are mental health problems that cause dangerous behaviors involving weight and food. These eating behaviors can cause serious health problems and sometimes result in death. Eating disorders can happen to anyone, but are much more common in women. Common eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
7/20/2023 • Posted by Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director • in Health and Wellness, Mental Health
Mental health is essential for everyone, regardless of background or ethnicity. Minority communities, however, face unique challenges in regard to mental health. That's why National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in July, serves as an important reminder to prioritize the well-being of all individuals, particularly those who belong to marginalized and underserved communities.
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