Quality mental health is just as important as our physical well-being. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social balance, and determines how we manage stress, our relationships to others, and overall resilience to life's many challenges. While some may take mental health for granted, the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. will experience mental illness in a given year. The results can significantly affect quality of life and livelihood for many families and communities. This is especially pertinent for young people who can benefit most from early intervention.
To support Mental Health Awareness Month, we're highlighting 10 nonprofit organizations that provide education and mental health services to those who need it most. Every organization is a registered nonprofit, so you can donate, fundraise on their behalf, or simply share their incredible work.
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
The foundation is named in honor of Boris Lawrence Henson, father of Academy Award and Emmy nominated actress and founder Taraji P. Henson, who suffered mental health challenges without resources or support. BLHF encourages mental wellness, raises awareness of the stigma and the use of stigmatizing language when referring to mental illness, provides mental health resources and support, and extends mental health services to young people in underserved schools and communities.
The Youth Mental Health Project
The Youth Mental Health Project is a grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth. They envision a world made up of informed families and caring communities that realize and strengthen the mental health of our youth -- a world where people are just as aware of their mental health as their physical health, where families are validated and able to readily access the care they need.
The Alcott Center for Mental Health Services
The Alcott Center for Mental Health Services has been on the forefront of community mental health services since 1979, meeting the needs of community members who have little to no income and would not otherwise have access to the care they require. The Alcott Center provides therapy, case/medication management, crisis interventions and trauma-informed studio art classes. They also assist with housing support for people navigating mental health challenges and/or justice-involved reintegration.
The Brien Center For Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Brien Center's mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive behavioral health services to Berkshire residents through community-based services that promote the highest possible degree of recovery, independence, and quality of life of those served. They provide access and support to meet the behavioral health needs of individuals of all ages, races, and cultures, and culturally-competent care to promote recovery. They accomplish this by working in partnership with state agencies, individuals, families, and other providers.
Step Up For Mental Health's mission is to support, educate and provide services to empower families living with the challenges of mental health disorders. They provide a safe place to share stories and find support for others who are dealing with mental health disorders or caring for a family member with a mental illness. They believe that mental health issues impact social issues, including education, homelessness and poverty. Step Up For Mental Health strives to match families with resources to help move them toward a more productive life.
Transitions-Mental Health Association
A nonprofit organization serving San Luis Obisbo and North Santa Barbara Counties, Transitions-Mental Health Association is dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services. TMHA operates over 40 programs on the Central Coast, a wide variety of services that assist individuals and family members taking the recovery journey.
The MINDS Foundation is dedicated to creating a world in which anyone and everyone has access to high-quality, cost-effective mental health services. By taking a human-centered design approach to mental health, MINDS has increased mental health literacy whilst decreasing social stigma throughout India and the United States. A unique community mental health worker model empowers local leaders to sustain all efforts and create long-term societal shifts in addition to a consistent link to clinical services.
#HalftheStory’s mission is to empower the next generation’s relationship with social media through advocacy, education, and providing access to resources for youth.They believe in overall digital wellbeing with programs such as Social Media EDU that is a science based curriculum that empowers young students to foster healthy relationships with technology. The organization celebrates hidden human talents, passions, beliefs and struggles that connect people on a deeper level. By sharing parts of identities that are not regularly revealed through social media, they restore human connection.
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Silence the Shame empowers and educates communities on mental health and wellness. Through community conversations, compelling content and outreach programs, we aim to normalize the conversation, peel back the layers of shame, eliminate the stigma and provide support for mental wellbeing. Silence the Shame is committed to creating content, building curriculum and outreach programs to support underserved communities regarding their mental health and wellness.
GoldenDAO is a highly engaged, collaborative, and impact-focused community. Their mission is to launch a DAO to collectively advance Asian American and Pacific Islander solidarity and empowerment through real-world events + gatherings, and web3 infrastructure + initiatives. Community values are hinged upon supporting the Asian community through but not limited to: combating social injustice, demystifying Asian mental health stigma, lifting up Asian culture, artistry, creatives in addition to promoting executive and thought leadership, civic and community outreach, as well as allyship and advocacy.
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