Effective School Solutions (ESS), a leading provider of embedded whole school mental health services, and the Madison Holleran Foundation announced the launch of the Madison Holleran Mental Health Action Scholarship.
Madison Holleran, a 2013 graduate of Northern Highlands High School in Allendale, excelled in academics, as well as being a stellar athlete. She went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania and was a member of the track team.
Tragically, Madison took her own life during the spring semester of her freshman year. ESS and the Holleran family have named this scholarship in Madison’s memory to not only drive awareness about suicide prevention but also to hear from high school students about innovative approaches they believe their schools can take to help young adults navigate through the mental health challenges they are facing today.
Scholarships, each worth $2,000, will be awarded to four high school seniors in the state of New Jersey who exhibit innovative ideas regarding how mental health supports can be enhanced in the K-12 school system.
To be considered for the scholarship, students must submit an application and a 1,000-word essay about an innovative mental health support program that could be implemented at their high school. Applications and essays (in .PDF format) can be submitted [email protected].
Scholarship awards will be made based on the innovation of ideas presented and the opportunity for ideas to make an impact in the state of New Jersey and beyond.
“We’re proud to announce this scholarship, which reflects the importance of providing mental health supports to our youth” said Duncan Young, CEO of Effective School Solutions. “We’re hoping that the competition for this scholarship will be an opportunity to amplify the voices of ideas of young people when it comes to mental health support.”
The contest will run through Dec. 9. The award winner will be announced no later than Feb. 7.
“The Madison Holleran Foundation is honored to partner with Effective School Solutions to sponsor these scholarships,” Executive Director of the Madison Holleran Foundation Carli Bushoven said. “Since the foundation’s inception, our focus has been on suicide prevention. Our hope with these scholarships is to bring attention to mental health and wellness to the forefront of high school and college campuses, end the stigma and ultimately encourage today’s students to make strides in their community with regards to mental health.”
Since 2009, Effective School Solutions has been a leader in in-school mental health. ESS partners with over 90 schools in over 50 districts in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to provide comprehensive, cost-effective whole-school clinical programs to K-12 students.
The primary mission of the Madison Holleran Foundation is to prevent suicides and to assist those in a crisis situation with phone numbers and resources that will assist them during their time in crisis. They also focus on preparing high school seniors for their transition to college.