The Village Receives $150,000 Grant from The Cigna Group Foundation to Help Address Youth Mental Health Crisis

The Village for Families & Children has been awarded a grant of $150,000 from The Cigna Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group, to help address the youth mental health crisis.

Support from The Cigna Group Foundation will benefit essential mental health services for youth at The Village’s 1680 Albany Avenue campus in Hartford. This includes the Urgent Crisis Center, a walk-in clinic for youth in need of immediate mental health support, as well as a children’s psychiatric residential treatment facility and a sub-acute crisis stabilization program.

Together, these programs offer comprehensive care across The Village’s 32-acre campus that help children and teens heal, build resilience, access important therapeutic play opportunities, and overcome mental health challenges.

“Children in Connecticut are facing mental health challenges like never before, and this generous grant from The Cigna Group Foundation will be a vital asset in helping us provide mental health support to youth throughout the Greater Hartford region,” said Village president & CEO Hector Glynn. “We are so grateful to have The Cigna Group Foundation’s support in advancing our mission — and in our work to address the ongoing children’s mental health crisis.”

“Local nonprofits continue to be a tremendous source of support for kids and teens grappling with mental health issues, and we are thrilled to team up with The Village to advance their comprehensive youth mental health programs that will help with post-pandemic stress among youth,” said Melissa Skottegaard, board chair, The Cigna Group Foundation. “The youth mental health crisis continues to weigh heavily on our communities, and it is our privilege to partner with trusted nonprofits to continue this important work.”

According to an analysis by The Cigna Group’s Evernorth Research Institute, the number of young people with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same period.

Inadequate levels of social and emotional functioning are increasingly recognized as central to many public health problems, and more than two out of three children and adolescents experience trauma by age 16.

In the survey of U.S. adults, published last year, a quarter of parents said one or more of their children were experiencing mental health challenges, diagnosed or undiagnosed. The most prevalent conditions, based on the data, are acute stress disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. While more young people are being diagnosed and more are receiving treatment, the data shows gaps, and many youths are not receiving the full spectrum of care.  

The Cigna Group Foundation has a long history of impactful nonprofit support , and in 2024 announced a philanthropic and community engagement initiative committing more than $27 million in grants over three years to nonprofit organizations focused on improving youth mental health, improving veteran mental health, and reducing barriers to health equity.

More information on The Cigna Group Foundation’s youth mental health grant program can be found here. Additional information about The Village’s programs can be found here.