Florida Blue Foundation grant to provide mental health services at Studer Family Children’s Hospital

The Florida Blue Foundation is awarding a Mental Well-being grant to Studer Family Children's Hospital that will expand access to mental health support for children and families receiving care across Northwest Florida.

This four-year grant, officially announced on Dec.1, will fund the new Sacred Support program with the addition of a licensed mental health therapist within the Children's Hospital to provide emotional and psychological support to children and families facing long hospital stays, traumatic injuries or new medical diagnoses.

These services will be available to children and families from 10 rural counties across Northwest Florida, where access to mental health care is scarce.

"We are grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for awarding us this pivotal grant," said Jason Foland, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAP, FCCM, President of Studer Family Children's Hospital. "By providing comprehensive mental health care at the point of care, this new service ensures that children and families in Northwest Florida receive the emotional and psychological support they need for healing and well-being."

"We are proud to support nonprofit organizations like Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, who share our commitment to improving mental well-being for families across the state," said Susan Towler, executive director of Florida Blue Foundation. "By providing support and resources, we can help amplify their work, ensuring more individuals and families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive."

"This generous grant will allow us to create a new Sacred Support program," said Adrienne Maygarden, President of the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. "The program will offer individual, family and group therapy sessions, as well as parenting support. Sacred Support ensures that no child or family faces the emotional challenges of illness or injury alone."

Florida Blue Foundation is honored to award this mental well-being grant in this region, as it is one of eight across the state.

"We're excited to join forces with Studer Family Children's Hospital to bring critical mental health support to children and families in Northwest Florida," said Hong Potomski, Florida Blue Northwest Florida Market Leader . "The event on Dec. 1 highlights the impact of our partnership, which will help bridge the gap in mental health services for those who need it most, and we are proud to be a part of it."

"Receiving a new diagnosis or being in the hospital for a long time can definitely take a mental toll on the patient and also the family," said Meredith Harrison, whose son Carter was diagnosed with a rare disease that continues to require significant medical treatment. "We're very thankful as someone who's been there and done that, for this new resource that is going to be available at Studer Family Children's Hospital. This will benefit Carter and our family."

The ten counties targeted for the services provided by the grant are:Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.