Rebecca's Dream Awards Grant to Families for Depression Awareness

March 27, 2012—With great pride Rebecca’s Dream awarded a grant to Families for Depression Awareness for their ‘Teen Depression Program’ which fulfills our second round of funding since 2011.

The program ‘Teen Depression’ aligns well with the Rebecca Lynn Cutler Legacy of Life Foundation’s mission to promote awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases. People must understand that these illnesses strike our youth and need to be  prepared to help them at a young age. Educating teens, as well as parents and other adults in their lives, about clinical depression in young people, its treatment, and how to seek help, is of urgent concern. Depression is the leading cause of suicide and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds nationally. In order to intervene effectively, adults must be aware of the signs and symptoms and know how to talk to teens about depression.

This Grant enables Families for Depression Awareness to complete its two proposals to Rebecca’s Dream: Speak Out Against Stigma and Teen Depression.

Rebecca’s Dream awarded the first grant in June of 2011.

Rebecca’s Dream and Families for Depression Awareness continue to work toward ending the stigma of mood disorders while educating teens, parents, teachers, friends and family members that these are real medical conditions. 

PREVIOUS GRANT AWARDEES:

Rebecca’s Dream is proud to announce the three organizations that were awarded grants during our first grant-making cycle, which ended March 31, 2011.

We are extremely pleased these chosen organizations support our mission of promoting awareness and compassionate understanding of depression and bipolar disorder as real diseases. They are:

Erika's Lighthouse
Rebecca’s Dream grant award provides funding for a study guide to accompany and enhance the new video “Real Teenagers Talking About Depression.” This project targets 8th graders through high-school sophomores in an exciting and innovative way, allowing teachers the opportunity to explore the subject in more detail. The mission of Erika’s Lighthouse is to help break the stigma surrounding depression so that those suffering can get the help they need.

Erasing the Distance
Our second grant award will help create a custom theatrical production sharing 5 true stories of young women impacted by depression and bipolar disorder. This original production will occur during Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2012 at a major Chicago theatrical venue, on multiple days/evenings and performed by members of the professional acting ensemble of Erasing the Distance, including facilitated dialogues and free access to mental health information and resources. The mission of Erasing the Distance is to use the power of performance to disarm the stigma of mental illness, spark dialogue, generate understanding and ignite the healing process.

Families for Depression Awareness
Our third grant award provides funding for the project "Speak Out Against Stigma." Photographs of speakers together with their stories will help break the stigma of silence surrounding depression and bipolar disorder. The emphasis will be on mental-health care experiences emphasizing the impact of depressive disorders on families and the need for effective diagnosis, treatment and health care coverage.

Interviews will appear through print, audio and video formats for long-term access and promotion in the public media and press. The mission of Families for Depression Awareness is to help families recognize and cope with depressive disorders through education, training and support.

Rebecca’s Dream, established in 2005, is now seeking grant proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States. We are looking for organizations that provide individuals, families and the general public with information necessary to change attitudes and remove the stigma associated with depression and bipolar disorder. Innovation and collaboration is encouraged. Grant awards will range from $500 to $10,000 and will cover a one-year period. However, multi-year funding will be considered pending annual evaluations.

Deadlines for proposals are as follows:

First Deadline: Proposals must be received by March 31, 2012, with grant awards being made on or before June 15, 2012.

Second Deadline: Proposals must be received by September 30, 2012, with grant awards being made on or before December 15, 2012.

What you need to supply:

Please give us the name of your organization complete with contact information including name, complete address with ZIP code, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and website. Also provide documentation of your 501(c)(3) status and a board of directors roster with contact information. A detailed description of the project complete with a budget, timeline, goals, tactics, an explanation of how it meets our mission, and who will actually do the project are required. Supporting documents should accompany the application to help us understand your organization, including the bios of the individuals involved, overall budget for your organization, how you will evaluate the project, and how you will report the outcomes and impact of the project. No materials will be returned to applicants. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant award date.

How to apply:

Send the required information to Rebecca’s Dream, 130 N. Garland Court, Suite 2511, Chicago, IL 60602-4786, or you may e-mail the information to grants@rebeccasdream.org. Please contact grants@rebeccasdream.org with any questions.

Rebecca’s Dream is able to fund these grants through generous donations from people like you. If you would like to support Rebecca’s Dream through a monetary donation, please click here.