AAPA - American Academy of Physician Assistants
10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 09:10
Physician Associate Foundation Receives Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
Physician Associate Foundation Receives Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Oct. 31, 2024) - The Physician Associate (PA) Foundation was awarded a grant from The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group, to support its PArtnership to Improve Youth Mental Health program.
This program harnesses the expertise of PAs to train and equip youth-serving professionals including teachers, educators, school staff, after-school program leaders, and community organization leaders on evidence-based strategies for supporting youth mental health. The funding will support efforts in Pennsylvania, a priority state for The Cigna Group Foundation.
"PAs are committed to being part of community efforts to ensure the mental health needs of our nation's youth do not go unnoticed and untreated," said Jennifer M. Orozco-Kolb, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, interim Executive Director of the PA Foundation and Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs at the American Academy of Physician Associates. "The PA Foundation extends our gratitude to The Cigna Group Foundation for supporting efforts to provide PA-led training to teachers and other community leaders to advance our shared commitment to the health and well-being of America's youth."
"To effectively intervene in the youth mental health crisis, we need strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations committed to improving the health and vitality of young people," said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation.
"Communities are only just beginning to grapple with the impact of the youth mental health crisis post-pandemic. We are privileged to partner with the PA Foundation to enable their important work to improve the mental health of youth in the communities we both serve."
According to a recent analysis by The Cigna Group's Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same period. More than one in four parents report having a child with mental health challenges, diagnosed or undiagnosed, and many report challenges to obtaining behavioral health care for their child, including access barriers.
The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful partnerships with nonprofits, and recently announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative that has committed more than $27 million in grants over the next three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health, and reducing barriers to health equity.
More information on The Cigna Group Foundation's youth mental health grant program can be found here. Additional information about PA Foundation programs can be found at pa-foundation.org/our-programs/.
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Media Contact:Jenni Roberson, 703.380.2764
About the PA Foundation
PA Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that promotes better health and wellness by providing PAs and PA students with philanthropic opportunities and resources. It is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Associates, representing a profession of more than 178,700 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services.
About The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) is a global health company committed to creating a better future built on the vitality of every individual and every community. We relentlessly challenge ourselves to partner and innovate solutions for better health. The Cigna Group includes products and services marketed under Cigna Healthcare, Evernorth Health Services or its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group maintains sales capabilities in more than 30 countries and jurisdictions and has more than 186 million customer relationships around the world. Learn more at thecignagroup.com.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where employees of The Cigna Group live and work.