Delphi Rise, a Rochester-based behavioral health organization, has been awarded a nearly $100,000 grant from the New York Health Foundation to launch a culturally tailored Youth Mental Health First Aid program aimed at addressing mental health disparities among young people of color in Wayne County and surrounding rural areas.
The initiative comes in response to the persistent mental health challenges facing marginalized communities in the region. According to Delphi Rise, one in five individuals experiences major depressive episodes each year, with underserved populations facing significant barriers to care. New York State also grapples with a shortage of mental health providers, leading to long waiting times for families seeking help.
The new program will focus on building a network of trained community responders equipped to support youth in mental health crises. Delphi Rise plans to collaborate with the Wayne County Partnership—a coalition of over 48 local agencies, schools, and community groups—to recruit and train trusted community members as Youth Mental Health First Aid trainers. The goal is to expand the training program to 150 additional community members, creating a broader network of first responders.
“We are committed to creating a more equitable and accessible mental health support system for all young people,” said Jennifer Cathy, president and CEO of Delphi Rise. “This program is just one step toward a brighter, healthier future for our communities.”
In addition to training, the program will partner with schools and other local organizations to implement and refine the initiative, aiming to ensure that more young people in the region have access to the support they need.
