The Florida Blue Foundation has awarded a four-year Mental Well-Being grant to Studer Family Children’s Hospital to expand access to mental health services for children and families across Northwest Florida.
Announced on Dec. 1, the grant will fund the new Sacred Support program, which places a licensed mental health therapist within the hospital. The therapist will provide emotional and psychological care for children and families coping with long hospitalizations, traumatic injuries, or new medical diagnoses.
The program will serve patients from 10 rural counties in Northwest Florida, where mental health resources remain limited.
“We are grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for this pivotal grant,” said Jason Foland, MD, President of Studer Family Children’s Hospital. “Integrating mental health support at the point of care ensures children and families receive the emotional assistance essential to healing.”
Florida Blue Foundation leaders said the grant reflects their broader commitment to improving mental well-being statewide. “By providing support and resources, we can help ensure more individuals and families have access to the care they need to thrive,” said executive director Susan Towler.
Adrienne Maygarden, President of the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, said the Sacred Support program will offer individual, family, and group therapy, along with parenting support. “No child or family should face the emotional challenges of illness or injury alone,” she said.
The foundation selected the Northwest Florida region as one of eight grant recipients statewide. “This partnership will help bridge critical gaps in mental health services for families who need it most,” said Hong Potomski, Florida Blue Northwest Florida Market Leader.
For families like the Harrisons, the program comes as welcome news. Meredith Harrison, whose son Carter faces ongoing treatment for a rare disease, said the new support services will make a meaningful difference. “Being in the hospital or receiving a difficult diagnosis takes a mental toll. We’re very thankful this resource will now be available.”
The program will serve families in Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
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