Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition

CORTLAND COUNTY SPF-PFS PROJECT

CORTLAND COUNTY MHAT PROJECT - THE CORTLAND COUNTY MHAT PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON CORTLAND COUNTY YOUTH AGES 13-18. THE TARGET POPULATION TO RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING WILL INCLUDE PARENTS, OTHER GATEKEEPERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. CORTLAND COUNTY, NY IS THE GEOGRAPHIC CATCHMENT AREA HAVING A 2020 TOTAL POPULATION OF 46,126, WITH ABOUT 19% BEING UNDER 18 YEARS OLD (US CENSUS BUREAU). TO ADDRESS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN CORTLAND COUNTY, COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING FOR PARENTS, GATEKEEPERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS IS ESSENTIAL. THE PROJECT AIMS TO ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, EARLY DETECTION, AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS: YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, SAFETALK, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING. TWO MAIN GOALS FOCUS ON ADDRESSING SERVICE GAPS AND INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE BY OFFERING CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE TRAINING AND TARGETED MATERIALS. BY SEPTEMBER 2026, THE PROJECT AIMS TO TRAIN 640 INDIVIDUALS IN YMHFA, 200 IN SAFETALK, AND 100 FIRST RESPONDERS IN CIT. THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PARTICIPANTS' CONFIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE, DEMONSTRATED THROUGH PRE- AND POST-TEST ASSESSMENTS, AND INCREASE STUDENTS' COMMUNICATION ABOUT FEELINGS OF DEPRESSION WITH TRUSTED ADULTS.