The New London Counseling Center has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to enhance its efforts in addressing the growing youth mental health crisis in Chester County. This funding will support subsidized therapy for local youth, community education initiatives, and resources for nonprofit youth-serving organizations and schools to better equip them in addressing mental health needs.
Dr. Katie Bowman, executive director of the New London Counseling Center, emphasized the importance of reaching youth in their communities. “Our efforts are addressing the youth mental health crisis by breaking down traditional barriers to care by engaging with the communities where our students already gather,” she said. “Through free community education, we aim to teach young people how to manage stress, cope with difficulties, and build resilience—ultimately creating lifelong healthy habits. In addition, we will provide individual and group therapy for those in need of more intensive support.”
Bowman expressed gratitude for The Cigna Group Foundation’s partnership, stating that the grant will help make mental health care more accessible and affordable for Chester County youth.
Melissa Skottegaard, board chair of The Cigna Group Foundation, highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the youth mental health crisis. “To effectively intervene, we need strong partnerships with organizations dedicated to improving the health and vitality of young people,” she said. “We are privileged to partner with New London Counseling Center to support their critical work in improving youth mental health in the communities we serve.”
A recent analysis by The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute revealed a 28 percent increase in mental health conditions among young people since 2018, with a 48 percent rise in cases involving multiple diagnoses. More than one in four parents report having a child with mental health challenges, yet many face barriers to obtaining the necessary behavioral health care.
The Cigna Group Foundation, which has a long history of supporting impactful nonprofit initiatives, recently launched a philanthropic initiative committing over $27 million in grants over the next three years. These funds will support organizations working to improve youth and veteran mental health and reduce health equity barriers.
Since its opening in April 2019, the New London Counseling Center has provided counseling, group therapy, and workshops to individuals of all ages, with a focus on making mental health services accessible and affordable. By partnering with local organizations, the center ensures that mental health care remains available to everyone in the community.
Related topics:
