To further The Chicago School’s mission of bringing integrated care to all communities, the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education (NRCI) alleviates obstacles that keep people from the care they need.
“Our trainings and events give people the skills they need to achieve mental well-being for themselves and those around them,” says Tracy Levine, executive director of NRCI.
Marilyn and Larry Cohen established the Naomi Ruth Cohen Charitable Foundation in 2000 in honor of their daughter, Naomi, who lived with bipolar disorder and died by suicide. The Cohens are dedicated to reducing stigma that has been a barrier to individuals and families being able to access the mental health treatment, support, and understanding they need and deserve.
In 2008, the foundation joined with The Chicago School to establish the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School to reduce stigma connected to mental health and suicide through education, research, and community.
The institute continues to impact many lives. According to Levine, NRCI has facilitated more than 50 educational events for more than 1,600 total participants during this fiscal year (through February 2024). These numbers demonstrate impressive growth, as in 2022, NRCI hosted 34 events for just over 1,400 participants.
In particular, the institute’s Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper program has trained more than 600 participants so far this fiscal year, providing them with the skills and confidence they need to intervene and support those around them whom they believe may be struggling with mental health challenges.
The institute also continues to build bridges between The Chicago School and community organizations throughout the Chicago area, thus extending the institute’s impact. These include new partnerships with organizations such as Roosevelt University, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, City Colleges of Chicago, and Chicago Public Schools, as well as an ongoing partnership with the City of Evanston.
Says Levine, “We’re especially grateful for the White Foundation’s support, which has helped us collaborate with Chicago-area high schools on mental health first aid programming for over 100 local high school students and school staff. I know these students will be true change-makers toward mental wellness for their friends and families.”
Levine adds, “I look forward to bringing our mission and our impact to even more participants, both inside and outside the university. By providing more people with our crucial training, we can change and save lives throughout our extended university communities.”