The Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education (NRCI) at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology today announced that the Evanston Community Foundation has awarded the organization a $7,500 grant. The responsive grant, one of many awarded to 29 agencies seeking to address the challenges in Evanston, will be used for mental health education programming NRCI is developing for students at Evanston Township High School (ETHS).
“The Evanston Community Foundation is known for awarding grants to some of the most forward-thinking, effective organizations in the area, and we’re honored to join their ranks,” said Lynessa Rico, NRCI’s director. “The grant will be used for our efforts at Evanston Township High School where under the supervision of The Chicago School’s faculty, graduate students from The Chicago School will create toolkits and train ETHS students as facilitators in conducting youth-led, anti-stigma mental health programming.”
The toolkits will be evidence-based, age-appropriate and culturally relevant.  Standardized facilitator training will also be created to ensure uniformity in presentation. Eight ETHS students will be trained as facilitators. The grant will be administered through the ECF’s David Mulder Memorial Fund for Mental Health.
The Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute was established by Larry and Marilyn Cohen in memory of their daughter Naomi.  NRCI’s goals include decreasing the stigma of mental illness by providing the public with a foundation for understanding mental health issues, recognizing signs and symptoms and knowing where to seek help.  Through partnerships with schools, community-based organizations, and religious congregations, NRCI raises awareness about the impact and consequences of mental health diagnoses on individual and community scales.
The Evanston Community Foundation helps Evanston thrive now and forever as a vibrant, inclusive, and just community. It builds, connects and distributes resources and knowledge through local organizations for the common good. The Foundation builds endowments for current and future opportunities, fosters private philanthropy, focuses the impact of collective giving, finds solutions to community challenges, allocates grants, and provides leadership training.
About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral and health sciences. The university serves nearly 4,500 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles and Irvine); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in Chicago is accredited by the American Psychological Association. A member of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, TCSPP is recognized for its distinguished service and outstanding contributions to cultural diversity and advocacy. The community service initiatives on the Chicago Campus have also earned recognition on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for seven consecutive years. The Los Angeles Campus gained its second recognition in 2014, and the Washington, D.C. Campus received its first award in 2014. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Riley, 312.410.8963, lriley@thechicagoschool.edu