CANAAN, Conn. — Mountainside Treatment Center will provide $10,000 worth of academic scholarships to high school juniors and seniors.

In 2022, the treatment provider created the Mountainside Brighter Future College Scholarship to foster awareness and education about addiction among youth and empower students who have been impacted by substance use disorders to share their stories.

Interested students must complete an initial application and then submit a short essay explaining how they have been impacted by their own or a loved one’s substance use disorder. The writing sample should also detail how the student’s personal experiences have shaped their understanding of addiction as a disease.

Through providing academic scholarships, the treatment center hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, encourage youth to not be ashamed to share their struggles, and educate others on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Previously, only students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey were eligible to submit an essay. However, this year, Mountainside is expanding its reach to include students in Pennsylvania to increase accessibility and provide an opportunity for Pennsylvania natives to win this financial award.

This change comes as substance abuse continues to impact individuals and families across Pennsylvania.

The $10,000 in scholarship funds will be provided as $1,000 awards to up to 10 chosen scholarship applicants. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 15, and winners will be announced on or around June 5.

For more information, visit mountainside.com/scholarships/brighter-future/.