Ohlone College Receives $306,000 Federal Grant to Promote Student Mental Health

A $306,000 grant has been awarded to Ohlone College to fund a three year campus suicide prevention program for students. The grant is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will be disbursed annually, in $102,000 increments. The funds will be used to create a healthy and empowered Ohlone College campus community by maximizing opportunities to integrate and coordinate suicide prevention activities across multiple campus departments and disciplines.

In 2012, the Ohlone College Student Health Center received funding for the creation of the STEP Up Ohlone program from Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services for $439,000 for two years. STEP Up Ohlone’s goals were to promote student mental health and well-being, and to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues in a higher education setting. The new funding from SAMHSA allows the health center to continue with their mental health promotion.

“Ohlone College is thrilled to be awarded this federal grant to continue the impactful work of promoting student mental health,” said Sally Bratton, RN, FNP, PA-C, Director of Student Health. “This is truly an honor. Only 15 colleges and universities across the country are granted this award each year.”

This grant comes at a time when suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth in the United States. It is the college’s mission to promote mental health as a key element in the academic success of Ohlone students. Ohlone College is a leader in the promotion of student mental health and looks forward to sharing strategies and successes with other campuses of the California Community College system.

—Information submiited Ohlone College

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