The Jed Foundation Awarded $1 Million Grant by Pharmavite to Scale Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Programming

Grant from the makers of Nature Made^® vitamins will expand JED's life-saving work, reaching more than 6.5 million students nationwide

WEST HILLS, Calif. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, announced today that it is the recipient of a $1 million grant from Pharmavite, a nutrition-powered wellness company and makers of Nature Made^® vitamins, the leading national vitamin and supplement broadline brand with over 50 years of delivering high-quality products backed by science.

The grant will expand JED's life-saving work reaching over 1,200 schools, districts, and campuses, comprising more than 6.5 million students from pre-K through college and beyond. Pharmavite’s philanthropy will allow JED to accelerate work in its mission-driven focus areas including equipping individuals, strengthening schools, and mobilizing communities.

“We are thankful for Pharmavite’s commitment to creating communities of care for teens and young adults by helping them live healthier lives both physically and emotionally,” says John MacPhee, CEO of JED. “This generous grant will offer more schools the opportunity to prioritize and normalize youth mental health for every student through the implementation of JED’s evidence-based Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention.”

Pharmavite’s gift to JED comes at a critical time for youth mental health in America. Suicides among young children, ages 5 to 11, increased by nearly 15% per year from 2012 to 2017. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-34-year-olds. Forty-two percent of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year, while 83% of college students expressed that their emotional or mental difficulties hurt their academic performance.

“Protecting the emotional health and well-being of teens and young adults is critically important as they form the foundation they need for success as they age,” says Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite. “The Jed Foundation’s mission-driven work to provide resources to districts, high schools, and colleges and universities is crucial to helping students live lives filled with vitality. I’m proud that Pharmavite is helping accelerate JED’s programs and services to reach even more students across the country.”

The $1 million award will also be used to scale JED’s work in several key areas, including:

• JED Campus and JED High School, flagship programs providing high schools, colleges, and universities expert support, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect student mental health and prevent suicide.
• Suicide Postvention Services, including custom consulting support to schools and campus communities in the aftermath of a sudden and tragic loss of life.

For more information about JED’s academic programs, mental health resources, and ways to donate, visit jedfoundation.org.

About The Jed Foundation (JED)

JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

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About Pharmavite

Pharmavite is a pioneer in the health and wellness industry, earning the trust of consumers, healthcare professionals and retailers by developing innovative vitamin and supplement solutions backed by science that adhere to strict manufacturing practices. Through its Nature Made^®, Bonafide^®, Nature Made^® Wellblends, Equelle^®, MegaFood^®, and Uqora^® brands, Pharmavite is dedicated to helping people live healthier, more vital lives. Based in California, Pharmavite is a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Visit www.pharmavite.com and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news and information about Pharmavite and its brands.