Greenwich Couple makes Lead Gift toward Greenwich Hospital’s New Adolescent Behavioral Health Program

Greenwich Hospital has announced a lead gift toward its Adolescent Behavioral Health Outpatient Program from longtime Greenwich residents Richard and Ellen Richman.

Ellen and Richard Richman of Greenwich

Designed to inspire others to donate to this important initiative, the Richmans will match any gifts dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million.

Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with the Greenwich United Way, will open the community’s first mental health program designed for young people ages 12 to 18. With plans to locate at 500 W. Putnam Avenue, which also houses Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Pediatric Specialty Center in Greenwich, adolescents will receive the right level of psychiatric care for their diagnosed depression and/or anxiety. The opening of the new facility is expected in the summer of 2023.

“The generosity of Richard and Ellen’s gift – a commitment to match one million dollars in donations – addresses an acute need within our community and will transform the availability of mental health care and treatments for adolescents,” said Greenwich Hospital President Diane Kelly, DNP, MBA, RN in a relase. “Our nation is grappling with a mental health epidemic that is hitting our younger population extremely hard. Our clinicians see this every single day at Greenwich Hospital, and it is often heartbreaking. No community is immune, including ours.”

“A talented team of Greenwich behavioral health leaders have designed the program with Yale Psychiatry, are recruiting the medical team, and readying the space to ensure sustainable care for adolescents in our community,” Kelly added.

In full partnership with Yale Psychiatry, considered a world leader and innovator within the mental health field, Greenwich Hospital’s program will include intensive adolescent outpatient services, cognitive-behavioral group interventions and psychotropic medication management. Additionally, an element of this initiative includes research to improve upon the treatment options for young people.

“Greenwich Hospital is our local hospital and we have been waiting for just the right opportunity to make an investment that will truly make an impact,” said Ellen Richman in the release. “When we learned about the plans to establish an adolescent behavioral health program, we immediately wanted to help make it a reality. Helping to make life-changing resources available to our community’s youth is vital, and we invite our friends and neighbors to join us.”

Supporters wishing to donate to the Greenwich Hospital Adolescent Behavioral Health Program – and have their contribution doubled – can contact Noël Appel at [email protected] or 203-863-3861.