The Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has announced a $7 million gift from the Swenson Family Foundation to expand school-based access to health and wellness resources and enhance the hospital’s pediatric mental health system.

The gift will be used to expand CHOC’s WellSpace initiative into Orange County elementary schools. A partnership between CHOC and the Orange County Department of Education, WellSpaces are dedicated environments that feature biophilic and trauma-informed design where students can unwind and connect with health and wellness resources, including school-based staff with foundational knowledge in mental health. The gift also will establish dozens of WellCorners—smaller K-8 classroom-based spaces focused on developing coping mechanisms and social-emotional learning skills in tandem with the regular learning environment. In addition, the funding will bolster CHOC’s pediatric mental health navigation system, which provides support for children who are showing risk of suicidal ideation while being screened in CHOC's primary and specialty care clinics.

“Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 10- to 19-year-olds, so being able to screen and determine the appropriate level of treatment for these kids is critical,” said CHOC chief psychologist Heather Huszti. “We are so grateful to the Swenson Family Foundation’s most generous gift, which is truly a lifesaving investment in the children of our community.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/aldomurillo)