Jana Marie Foundation receives state honor

STATE COLLEGE— The president and founder of the Jana Marie Foundation, Marisa Vicere, as well as Christine Hughes, the foundation’s education and program specialist, were recently named top Mental Health First Aid Instructors for the state of Pennsylvania by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Vicere had previously received the National Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor of the Year recognition in 2022 by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

“Being recognized as a top Mental Health First Aid instructor is an honor and a very meaningful culmination of all I’ve learned and experienced since starting at Jana Marie Foundation in August 2022,” Hughes said in a press release. “I had dreamed of a position that would enable me to impact my local community and move forward the progress of mental health awareness. I feel like not only have I grown tremendously as a person, but I also have begun to accomplish much professionally in work that profoundly matters to me.”

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course on early intervention led by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. It provides both youth focused and adult focused courses to help guide people towards appropriate care, offer help and recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges.

In 2023, more than 1,100 teens were taught Mental Health First Aid through the Jana Marie Foundation. Additionally, 387 people were certified as Youth Mental Health First Aiders and 235 as Adult Mental Health First Aiders.

The Jana Marie Foundation was formed in 2012 with the goal “opening minds, and saving lives.” The foundation uses educational programing, community events and the arts to empower Centre County residents to prioritize their mental health and seek resources as needed.

The foundation offers Mental Health First Aid to tenth grade students in Bald Eagle Area School District, Bellefonte Area School District, Huntingdon Area School District, Penns Valley Area School District and State College Area School District.

“Mental Health First Aid helps equip participants with the tools necessary to start a courageous conversation about mental health and provides an action plan to help connect those in need to various resources and supports within a community,” Vicere shared in a press release. “We are grateful to provide Mental Health First Aid to our community because the language and steps taught in the course help to eliminate fear and increase understanding.”

For more information on Mental Health First Aid or other programs and events from Jana Marie Foundation, visit janamariefoundation.org.