Mental health plays a key role in your overall physical health. Really, it affects everything: sleep, concentration, motivation, hormonal regulation, immunity and more. Mental health can impact preventable diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease and make chronic conditions worse. And just like with physical health, improving mental health begins with prevention and taking action.
Spectrum Health Foundation supports many programs throughout the system to care for children, adolescents and adults when they experience mental health struggles. These services are made possible through the generous support of community members who want to make a difference in the lives of friends, family and neighbors throughout West Michigan.
The School Blue Envelope: A Suicide S.A.F.E. Team Response
Our school-based suicide prevention program provides training so that every school employee—from principals to teachers to coaches, office staff, and even bus drivers—knows how to respond to a student in crisis.
Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinic
Spectrum Health is opening a dedicated clinic for youth ages 16 to 25 who need critical mental health services such as psychological testing, psychiatry and psychotherapy.
The Behavioral Health Endowment Fund
Key focus areas include hiring additional providers, expanding mental health services to new locations, and creating a dedicated 12-bed inpatient treatment unit at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for pediatric patients with complex medical and psychiatric needs.
The Sensory Room at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
This is a safe space for children with a behavioral health concern to get out of their hospital room and explore and play—with dim lighting and tactile materials designed to comfort and calm. This special space was made possible thanks to the generosity of Vonnie Woodrick and i understand.
Project Dream Rooms at the Ethie Haworth Children’s Cancer Center
Children facing a bone marrow cancer diagnosis typically spend up to 90 days in an isolated hospital room for treatment. These theme rooms—tailored to their favorite things—make their stay a little less stressful.
Expressive Arts Program
This weekly program brings creative movement, storytelling, music and art to patients recovering from cancer, traumatic brain injury or surgery, in order to relieve anxiety and aid in physical, mental and emotional recovery.
Talking about how we are feeling, especially when it comes to mental health, can be difficult. A recent poll revealed that 31% of respondents have worried about being judged by friends and family for seeking mental health support. Our goal at Spectrum Health is to change the stigma and reduce that worry—because mental health is health. And everyone deserves support.
How can you check in with someone you are worried about, or reach out for help if you need it yourself?
Use the tips and conversation starters included in this brochure to support friends and family, or to care for yourself.
Contact Us:
If you want to speak to someone about your giving, please contact Tara Werkhoven at 616.391.2069 or tara.werkhoven@spectrumhealth.org.
Spectrum Health Foundation
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation
25 Michigan St. NE, Suite 4100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503