The Jed Foundation works nationwide to reduce the rate of suicide and the prevalence of emotional distress among college and university students. Its Ah Project provides college-aged adults an outlet to talk about how loving someone with a severe mental illness has affected their lives, and to help them cope with the sense of isolation that accompanies supporting someone with a mental illness.
The Ah Project also creates an environment that makes the realities of a mental illness easier to discuss and accept for adult family members. Ashley Stevens offered support in publicizing Ah Project services through the creation of brochures, posters and a website. The intent of The Ah Project is to help rid the sense of isolation that accompanies mental illness and provide support for loved ones, while making the realities of a mental illness easier to discuss and accept for adult family members. The Ideas that Matter grant will support the creation of brochures, posters, and a website. The printed materials will be distributed by the Jed Foundation to university student health and counseling centers at national conferences. The website helps siblings and children of someone with a mental illness reach acceptance by providing an online venue for resources, support, and venting.
With The Ah Project, the Jed Foundation will reduce stigmas surrounding mental illnesses and reduce emotional stress among college-aged family members of the mentally ill by providing education, an outlet for emotion, and connection to others. The Ah Project will increase the exposure of the Jed Foundation among college students and increase the number of people served by addressing the specific needs of young adult family members.