ALBANY, NY – The New York State Office
of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the availability of up to $75,000 in
grant funding for projects that help reduce the stigma often associated with
mental illness.
This funding represents the revenues
received through a voluntary tax check-off program launched in 2016. This
program allows taxpayers to contribute easily to the ‘Mental Illness
Anti-Stigma Fund’ when filing their NYS taxes.
“Mental illness affects one in four
people during their lifetime, and too often, individuals don’t seek the help
they need because of the stigma that surrounds it,” said Office of Mental
Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan “The tax check-off program is a
wonderfully easy way for every New Yorker to give what they can to fight
against that stigma. We can all make an effort to reduce the negativity
surrounding mental illness in order to create hope for individuals who are
working towards recovery. That starts in the community and we are excited to
put these taxpayer contributions to work.”
The Office of Mental Health will provide
15 grants of up to $5,000 each to support year-long stigma-reduction projects.
Agencies must have at least one year of experience serving individuals with
mental illness in order to qualify.
Projects must address one or more of the
focus areas below:
Housing – Activities intended to combat
the stigma and discrimination in housing which prevent people with mental
illness from obtaining safe affordable housing.
Employment - Activities intended to
combat the stigma and discrimination in the workplace that make it difficult
for persons with mental illness to find and keep meaningful jobs.
Education - Activities intended to combat
the stigma and discrimination in schools that interfere with the ability of
students with mental illness to fully participate in the educational
environment.
Parenting - Activities intended to
combat the stigma and discrimination experienced by individuals with mental
illness who are also parents.
Media - Activities intended to combat
the stigma, discrimination, and negative stereotypes in the media. This
could also include social media.
Health Care - Activities intended to
combat the stigma and discrimination in the health care system that lead to
people with mental illness not receiving certain types of health care that they
need.
Project proposals must include the
agency’s focus area, project timeline, target audience, staffing plan, budget,
and specific deliverables. Activities can include, but are not limited to:
advertising, flyers, speakers, training, and multimedia productions.
The Office of Mental Health will collect
proposals until May 10, 2017, with grant distribution expected in July. There will
be a minimum of two grants awarded in every region of the state. Completed
project proposals should be submitted to:
Community Budget and Financial Management
Office of Mental Health
44 Holland Ave, 7th Floor
Albany, NY 12229
Attn: Carol Swiderski
Any questions can be directed to Joseph
Swinford by email joseph.swinford@omh.ny.gov or phone (518)
473-6579.
Source:
The New York State Office of Mental Health
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