Monmouth College awarded $300,000 mental health grant
Maya Dickerson - News and Opinion Editor
The National Institute for Health awarded Monmouth College a $300,000 to improve mental health resources for students on campus.
This grant lasts three years and is part of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program. Its main goal is to better support students’ mental health. Monmouth College plans to use the grant to start a Scots Prioritizing Our Well-Being Program, also known as Scots POW. The program will support students at risk; create programs based on improving mental and physical health; and overall, increase support systems for marginalized students.
The $300,000 will also be used to train Monmouth College staff, faculty, and students, through on-campus Mental Health Peer Educators. This project will educate people annually on integrated wellness, mental health, substance abuse, and suicide.
Mental Health Peer Educators serve as an internship on campus for individuals interested in mental health and peer education. They hold peer counseling services for the campus community. The National Institute for Health grant will provide more experience for Peer Educators.