WVU Medicine Children’s and Cook Center for Human Connection forge partnership to enhance mental health support in West Virginia

No-cost parent coaching available to any parent or guardian in West Virginia

July 12, 2024

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Cook Center for Human Connection (CCHC) and WVU Medicine Children’s have announced a significant partnership to enhance mental health resources and support systems for children and families throughout West Virginia.

This strategic collaboration aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both organizations with a mission to enhance resilience, connection, and wellbeing across communities throughout the region, while also allowing any parent in West Virginia to access no-cost mental health resources – including one-on-one parent coaching, on-demand courses, and Ask-a-Therapist videos – from ParentGuidance.org.  Father, mother, and daughter on computer

“We’re thrilled to have such an amazing partner in WVU Medicine Children’s, which has developed so many amazing mental health resources for West Virginia families,” Anne Brown, CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection, said. “We are looking for partnerships to help provide families the best mental health resources, and this partnership brings us one step closer to accomplishing our mission.”

The mission of the Cook Center for Human Connection is to unite leading organizations, programs, and products to prevent suicide, provide mental health support, and cultivate human connections crucial for individuals to flourish. WVU Medicine Children’s, composed of a dedicated cadre of medical professionals, nurses, and caregivers, is steadfast in its pursuit of delivering unparalleled care to every child in need.

“In our partnership with the Cook Center, we have an incredibly unique opportunity to make an impact in the lives of countless children across the country,” James Berry, D.O., chair of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, said. “The Cook Center has unparalleled access to a national network of school systems and a commitment to prioritizing behavioral health for children. In a wonderful alignment of mission, we are able to amplify the reach of our providers by providing critical mental wellness expertise in the development of resources that are easily accessible for parents and schools to support their children locally.” 

ParentGuidance.org provides families in West Virginia with no-cost access to mental health support through an existing partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education. This new collaboration between CCHC and WVU Medicine Children’s heralds a continued strengthening of mental health advocacy and support in West Virginia and beyond with a goal to create a coalition for mental health.

Parents are encouraged to visit WVUKids.com for resources related to their families’ physical and mental wellbeing. Parents are also encouraged to visit ParentGuidance.org to take advantage of their no-cost mental health resources, including Ask-a-Therapist, on-demand courses, and parent coaching. 

About Cook Center for Human Connection (CCHC)
The Cook Center for Human Connection (CCHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide, providing mental health support, and nurturing human connections essential for individual flourishing. The foundation's current focus is supporting children, families, and schools with mental health resources. This work is accomplished through various grants to schools, programs for parents, and global resources to bring greater awareness to the support needed for those affected by mental health needs.

About WVU Medicine Children’s
WVU Medicine Children’s is more than just a hospital. We’re a family of doctors, nurses, and other professionals who share the same goal: to provide the best possible care to any child who needs it. We chose careers in pediatric healthcare because we love connecting with (and supporting) kids of all ages. And because many of us are parents, too, we know how important it is to find a medical provider you trust. You want to work with specialists who care about your child’s health and well-being as much as you do. For more information, visit WVUKids.com. 

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