BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In an effort to support the mental health of workers on the frontlines of the pandemic, the Ruderman Family Foundation (RFF) is donating $100,000 to Massachusetts General Hospital.
The Boston-based foundation advocates for mental health and disability rights.
On top of the donation to Massachusetts General Hospital, RFF said they will be donating $10,000 to the Boston Police Foundation “to support the mental health needs of police personnel during this time.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Ben Parker spoke with RFF President Jay Ruderman about the donations.
“We focus a lot on the physical elements — protective gear, making sure there’s ventilators. But there’s a huge mental health element that they’re facing,” Ruderman said. “People are facing death, having to make choices about who lives and who dies. They are facing tremendous mental health challenges.”
Some of the donation being made to Massachusetts General Hospital will be used to launch an online, video intervention for health care workers.
Money being sent to the Boston Police Foundation will help to enhance already existing mental health programs, and to fund additional hours for clinicians to be able to held officers who are in need of treatment during this time.
Listen to WBZ NewsRadio's Ben Parker's (@radiobenparker) conversation with RFF President Jay Ruderman:
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(Photo: Getty Images)