Quell Scholars

Program Description

The Quell Foundation believes that education is the key to understanding, supporting and generating awareness of the mental health issues millions of people face today. Early access to mental health services is critical, but there is a national shortage of providers which, coupled with stigma, prevents even those closest to us from getting the help they need. The Quell Scholars Program is addressing the shortage and stigma issue at its roots by supporting the next generation of mental health caregivers and increasing awareness among students. The Foundation provides financial scholarships and shares resources to over 100 Undergraduate and Graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the mental health care field (Bridge the Gap Award), students who have been diagnosed with a mental health illness (Fighter Award) and students who have lost a parent or sibling to suicide (Survivor Award). Recipients immediately become members of a growing network of both current and alumni Quell Scholars spanning 26 different states and 81 Colleges and Universities. With direct support from The Quell Foundation’s staff and its partners, these students also become advocates on their own campuses and in their communities. The Quell Scholars program is normalizing mental health conversations.

Creativity

Quell Scholars receive support far beyond the traditional financial benefits of an academic scholarship. The Quell Foundation, in collaboration with its corporate sponsors, supporters and partner colleges are working to provide free, additional resources to students which support their own mental health such as tele-therapy, genetic testing and access to yoga and fitness studios across the country. Quell Scholars are connected with The Foundation’s corporate sponsors and alumni network to pursue opportunities such as internships, summer temp jobs, career mentoring and job placement, which will not only address the provider shortage, but validates the many accomplishments of Quell Scholars living with a mental health condition. Now empowered to advocate on their own campuses, in their communities and in the workplace, Quell Scholars are encouraged to help facilitate awareness events and participate in speaking opportunities with Foundation staff, utilizing The Foundation’s educational and awareness documentary, Lift the Mask.

Leadership

The Quell Foundation’s Bridge the Gap award to students pursuing degrees in the mental health care field are perhaps most strongly facilitated through The Quell Foundation’s long-term partnerships with unique, mental health care degree awarding programs offered at 4 different Colleges and Universities across the country. The Foundation has signed Letters of Agreements with these institutions to guarantee a pipeline of selective award applicants and recipients. These partner Colleges/Universities also help to disseminate information about the two other awards available to students. Additionally, Foundation staff works with 3rd party scholarship listing cites, its corporate sponsors, Quell Scholars network, individual supporters and non-profit organizations who serve this population in order to share information about The Quell Scholar program. Applications are available on The Foundation’s main website and are shared through social media channels.

Sustainability

The program has a strong, corporate and organizational support base, many of which are headquartered geographically near The Foundation’s 4 partner Colleges/Universities or where a significant number of Quell Scholars either live or attend school. Partner institutions include: Pennsylvania State University, Becker College, University of Minnesota and Nova Southeastern University. The Foundation engages with these corporations and organizations, which are not only in positions to hire Quell Scholars, but are eager to do so as a benefit to the communities and space in which they serve. Once employed, Quell Scholars will also become the next wave of support to the program. Foundation sponsors are able to meet Quell Scholars in person at community awareness and fundraising events such as The Quell Foundation’s annual Masquerade Ball, where both Scholars and Foundation partners share their stories. Quell Scholars submit thank you notes, video clips, and/or headshots as stewardship messages for program supporters.

Replicability

The program can be replicated through strategic relationship building with corporate and organizational hiring entities and institutions of higher education, particularly those that offer mental health care degree-awarding programs and are in close proximity to the communities hiring entities serve. The Foundation has developed policies, procedures and collateral materials for applicant recruitment, awarding, and engagement of students in The Quell Scholars Program, which can be adapted and implemented by others. The Foundation has examples of communications to students and talking points about the Foundation’s awareness projects for Quell Scholars. Any organization that can provide financial support and resources to students who experience mental health illnesses and/or to those students who are dedicating their lives work to helping those who do, can help address the caregiver shortage and generate awareness, thereby reducing the number of suicides, drug overdoses and incarcerations of those living with a mental health condition.

Results/Outcomes

In less than two years, The Quell Scholars Program has distributed $300,000 in scholarship funds to individual students and its partner schools. The program has grown significantly from 18 students in year one, to now over 130 across the country. 3 Quell Scholars have already served as guest speakers at The Quell Foundation’s annual Masquerade Ball and 4 have been featured in the Foundation’s Lift the Mask documentary, which is being scheduled for screenings on both college and corporate campuses beginning in March. Over 50 students have committed to pursuing degrees in the mental health care field. As of Spring, 2018 we anticipate that over 20 students will graduate from their respective programs, most of whom will have completed a degree program allowing them to provide direct support to individuals and family member of those suffering from a mental health illness.