New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian has received a $10 million gift to advance youth suicide prevention efforts at the Center for Youth Mental Health.
The donation — the largest in the center’s 13-year history — from Kim and Jon Shirley will establish the Erick Shirley Suicide Prevention Initiative in memory of their son, according to a Sept. 29 news release from the health system. The funds will support research and technology development aimed at improving youth mental healthcare, including a tool to help emergency department clinicians assess mental health concerns in young patients.
Three key projects will be funded under the initiative: an AI-powered suicide risk assessment tool for pediatric clinics, an emergency department clinician support tool to help identify risk and determine appropriate care pathways, and digital mental health services for at-risk youths after discharge from emergency care. A multidisciplinary team will lead the initiative’s development and implementation, the release said.
