Oishei Children's Hospital is set to receive $2.9 million in funding for the hospital's Psychiatry Clinic.

The money will go to improve current suicide prevention protocols and broaden prevention screening access with tabling events around the community and scaling up outreach for underserved populations in the region. 

"This grant will be transformative for the pediatric mental and behavioral health services we offer here at OCH," said Dori Marshall, MD, chief medical officer at OCH. "Not only will we be able to expand our current screening processes, but we'll also be opening up brand new avenues of outreach and expanding access across our region."

This comes as New York State saw a 6% jump in pediatric suicide from 2011 to 2021.

While all Oishei patients are screened for suicide risk, this will open the opportunity to follow-up consultations for patients deemed low-risk.

“We are thrilled to have received the suicide prevention grant from the Office of Mental Health,” said Chelsey McCabe, PhD, manager of the Children’s Psychiatry Clinic at OCH. ”This funding will be critical as we increase our prevention efforts and continue to support youth mental health, especially as we work with community partners in historically underserved populations that are more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes.”

The new funding will also expand coverage for under-represented groups in the Buffalo region. OCH will collaborate with community organizations such as the Delevan Grider Community Center, Jewish Family Services, Buffalo International Institute, Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York and Mental Health Advocates of WNY.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, is free and provides confidential support.