Allentown, Pa. — Twenty-five middle and high schools throughout the Lehigh Valley have been provided with grants to combat the exacerbating mental issues among youth.
- Twenty-five middle and high schools in Lehigh and Northampton counties received grants of $25,000 through Resilient Lehigh Valley
- The grants will support the creation or implementation of an Aevidum program to address mental health issues facing teens
- Schools will also assign a staff member to join their county's Suicide Prevention Task Force
The $25,000 fund is offered by Lehigh and Northampton counties and distributed via Resilient Lehigh Valley, a collaborative effort committed to increasing youth resiliency through creating a trauma-informed and resilient community.
Each of the 25 participating schools, according to Resilient Lehigh Valley, will receive $1,000 to support the creation or implementation of an Aevidum program and faculty advisor.
Aevidum, meaning "I've got your back," was a nonprofit organization started at Cocalico High School in Lancaster County in 2003 after a sophomore student died by suicide.
It was founded to help students break the stigma surrounding mental health issues facing teens through peer-to-peer messaging, events and activities.
The Pennsylvania Youth Survey revealed that 43% of Lehigh Valley middle- and high-school-aged youth report feeling depressed most days in the past 12 months.
"By expanding Aevidum programs, we can empower more youth to shape solutions and equip more schools to better meet students’ mental health needs and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging.”Beth Tomlinson, Resilient Lehigh Valley co-founder
A school-based Aevidum Club aims to enable schools to lift the voices and leadership of young people by addressing the increasing rates of youth depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
"By expanding Aevidum programs, we can empower more youth to shape solutions and equip more schools to better meet students’ mental health needs and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging,” said Beth Tomlinson, Resilient Lehigh Valley co-founder in a written statement.
The following schools received funds for their Aevidum programs:
- Allen and Dieruff high schools
- Bangor High School
- Catasauqua High School
- Easton Area High School
- Executive Education Academy Charter School
- Eyer Middle School and Emmaus High School
- Innovative Arts Charter School High School and Middle School
- Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley
- Lehigh Valley Charter Arts High School
- Liberty and Freedom High Schools and Northeast Middle School
- Nazareth Area High and Middle schools
- Northern Lehigh High and Middle schools
- Northwestern Lehigh High School
- Parkland High School
- Roberto Clemente Charter School
- Salisbury High School
- Whitehall High School
- Wilson Area High School
Schools interested in starting an Aevidum club can contact Mary Pritchard, Aevidum’s Director of Outreach, at maryaevidum@gmail.com.
Any middle or high school in Lehigh or Northampton counties that either has an existing Aevidum program or expresses an interest in developing one is eligible to receive the funds. Learn more about the Aevidum program here.
Schools will also designate a staff member to participate in their county's Suicide Prevention Task Force, which is dedicated to actively lowering the rates of youth and adult suicides in the Lehigh Valley.
