The Jed Foundation (JED) has announced a $1 million grant from Pharmavite in support of its mental health and suicide prevention programming.

The grant will be used to scale several programs, including its flagship JED Campus and JED High School programs, which provide high schools, colleges, and universities expert support, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect student mental health and prevent suicide. According to JED, suicides among young children, ages 5 to 11, increased by nearly 15 percent per year from 2012 to 2017.

“This generous grant will offer more schools the opportunity to prioritize and normalize youth mental health for every student through the implementation of JED’s evidence-based Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention,” said JED chief executive John MacPhee.

“Protecting the emotional health and well-being of teens and young adults is critically important as they form the foundation they need for success as they age,” said Pharmavite CEO Jeff Boutelle. “The Jed Foundation’s mission-driven work to provide resources to districts, high schools, and colleges and universities is crucial to helping students live lives filled with vitality.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Valeriy_G)