MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY (September 1, 2020) - The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) today announced it has awarded a 2020 Signature Grant in the amount of $100,000 to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) in partnership with Atlantic Behavioral Health.

Recognized in the Health, Youth & Families funding priority area, SPTS is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders.

The grant will support a collaborative project between SPTS and Atlantic Behavioral Health to develop and implement a training program for clinicians who see adolescents to increase their competence and confidence in treating individuals with suicidal thoughts. This is critical as a suicide prevention training program for adolescent clinicians does not currently exist to address teen suicide in New Jersey.

“As the stigma of suicide and mental health begins to decrease, the likelihood of individuals reaching for help will increase; however, SPTS acknowledges a concerning gap in the mental health system - that many professionals do not feel they have had adequate training in suicide assessment or management,” said Susan Tellone, Clinical Director, Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. “This grant will help our efforts to enhance the capabilities of local hospital staff and mental health professionals to treat adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis.”

SPTS’ programming takes place across all Atlantic Health Hospitals in Morristown, Summit, Newton, Pompton Plains and Hackettstown, with program participants working in these hospitals. The collaborative project between SPTS, Atlantic Health System and Atlantic Behavioral Health will ultimately look to expand at a national level.

“We are pleased to support the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide as they make a big impact in the lives of teens and their families,” said Samantha Plotino, Executive Director of The Provident Bank Foundation. “Through community awareness and education, this organization is developing high quality, evidence-based programming that is accessible to those who need it in our communities.”

Founded in 2005, the mission of SPTS is to increase awareness, save lives and reduce the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the skills needed to help build a life of resiliency. The organization develops prevention programs that are grounded in research to ensure state-of-science applicability, with a clinical advisory board comprised of national experts in suicide prevention. Teen suicide prevention information and resources are available at www.sptsusa.org.

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About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $26 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information, visit www.theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.