Allegheny CountyPNC Bank and Palumbo Charitable Trust also step in to support AHN’s unique Chill Mobile program
PITTSBURGH, Pa., October 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club, today announced a partnership to create a mobilized version of AHN’s innovative Project Chill, which provides behavioral health and mindfulness training in school districts of western Pennsylvania.
“Our program has proven to be an extremely effective way to improve the health and well-being of participants.”
Recognizing the immediate need, AHN and Pirates Charities have worked together to develop the Chill Mobile program with the goal of positively impacting tens of thousands of local youth each year. The two have partnered to purchase and customize the Chill Mobile vehicle that will travel to school districts, workplaces and community organizations, greatly expanding the reach of AHN’s program. Other supporters of Chill Mobile include the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny CountyPNC and the Palumbo Charitable Trust.
Offered by AHN’s Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and led by a team of behavioral health specialists, Project Chill uses mindfulness-based exercises to equip students, teachers, and parents with a standardized, evidence-based approach to identifying, discussing and managing stress. , anxiety and other mental health issues.
“School has always been a source of stress, whether you’re taking classes, teaching or parenting a student, and negative reactions to stress create a significant barrier to learning and growth,” said William Davies, EdD, Founder and Director of the Chill Project by AHN. “Our program has proven to be an extremely effective way to improve the health and well-being of participants, and we are excited about the opportunity to further expand access to these services with this new mobile capability. “
According to Davies, schools participating in Project Chill to date have experienced tangible benefits, including a reduction in the number of behavioral health incidents for students, such as chronic absence, disruptive behaviors, dropping out and feelings of despair ; improving the quality of professional life of educators and administrators; and increased well-being for parents and caregivers.
The COVID-19 pandemic, economic strains, and social unrest have compounded behavioral health challenges for all populations in recent years, while exposing disparities in access to behavioral health services for many communities.
“The inspiration for this program came from talking with Will Davies and others to AHN on the roadblocks schools have in terms of physical space and funding for an on-site support program. We had to find an innovative way to bring these necessary resources to children,” said Travis Williams, President of the Pirates. “Helping local youth has been central to our mission at Pirates Charities for over 15 years. We are thrilled to partner with AHN and use the power of the Pirates brand to make the Chill Mobile vehicle fun and inviting to to help break down any stigma associated with seeking help.”
AHN’s Chill Mobile will provide students and faculty with a calming space where they can learn evidence-based coping skills and engage in hands-on, interactive experiences, with the goal of not only improving individual mental health, but also to expand the conversation to the wider community and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. The new mobile Chill vehicle will feature pirate-themed programming, including a virtual PNC Park experience, special messages from pirate players, pirate-themed stress relief gifts and more.
“There is often a stigma that accompanies looking after your mental health, which is detrimental to our quality of life. Our mental health and our physical health are closely linked and taking care of our mental health is important every stage of life,” the county executive said. Rich Fitzgerald. “The Chill Mobile provides a place as well as a plan to focus on good mental health so that our young people can have a positive outlook, a sense of balance and empowerment, and can achieve their life and work goals. in a way that suits them. Allegheny County is proud to have played a part in bringing this resource to our community and excited for what it will mean for those who use it. »
AHN currently offers the Chill Project program in 31 schools in West Jefferson Hills, Baudouin–White Hall, South ParkCarlynton, Northgate, Chartiers Valley, Fairview (Erie)Canon-McMillan, Clairton and South Fayette school districts as well as Shady Side Academy, three vocational and technical schools, and CCAC Homewood. Specially designed “Chill Rooms” have been created in schools to accommodate students and staff seeking Chill Project services.
“The need for community mental health services has never been greater, and we are extremely grateful to Pirates Charities and our other partners for their investment and commitment in this unique endeavour,” said Fast Ally, director of philanthropy at AHN. “The AHN Chill project has already made a huge difference in the lives of many people, and our new mobile program will increase those numbers exponentially”
Chill Mobile resources will also be available and customizable for local businesses, community organizations and events. For more information about introducing Chill Mobile to your school, organization or community, contact Jefferson Hospital Counseling Services at (412) 650-1100.
About Allegheny Health Network:
Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org), is an integrated health care delivery system serving the largest Western Pennsylvania Region. The network is made up of 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness pavilions, multiple organizations of salaried doctors, home and community health services, a research institute and a group of ‘purchases. The network provides patients with access to a full range of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women’s health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs approximately 21,000 people, has more than 2,600 physicians on its medical staff, and serves as the clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of osteopathic medicine.
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