Interest to Impact

Embedding mental health care in primary medical care settings, and redesigning 911 to have integrated police and mental health care response to the crisis are two of many initiatives Dr. Keller and the Institute are driving forward. 

Given the lack of mental health care therapists, what if there were evidenced-based single session interventions available on demand over the internet that could greatly alleviate distress and improve well-being? The pandemic has opened the door to successful alternatives to traditional therapy

Mental illness is a brain disease and we know so little about the brain. Dr. Zweifel discusses the latest brain research and promising pathways for therapeutic interventions.  

One Mind focuses on collaborative efforts to fund research into brain health. From diagnostic tools (such as biomarkers indicating PTSD) to new medication treatments, One Mind has catalyzed philanthropic efforts in the mental health arena.

What treatment programs work for behavioral health issues (addiction, substance abuse, eating disorders), and what conditions are necessary to support recovery? Timing of the intervention and treatment, motivation of the person, length of stay in recovery centers, and peer support influence on successful outcomes are explored.

Garen discusses how we need to find solutions at scale in mental health  - whether it's in tele-psychiatry, or small molecule breakthroughs for brain chemistry treatment. His advice includes: don't reinvent the wheel, collaborate, accelerate the science, and knock down the silos.

The Jed Foundation brings proven programs to reduce suicide in youth, partnering with colleges, universities, and high schools to provide evidence-based interventions. Philanthropy can play a crucial role in expanding these programs to underserved communities and populations. 

Nick MacPhee summarizes key insights from Season 1 of the Interest to Impact podcast on mental health philanthropy. After a short summer hiatus, Season 2 will kick off! 

Prevention and early intervention is critical to helping kids develop good mental health. Seneca has pioneered a whole school approach to mental health within a school, activating everyone involved to develop good mental health practices within the school setting.   

High impact support of initiatives around mental health, addiction, and community well-being. 

How philanthropic risk capital can support public mental health care dollar expenditure at critical inflection points and create system change.

How can young people use technology and how can it improve their mental health? How is the design, and data sets for mental health technology apps different for youth and LGBTQ and BIPOC populations? 

Increasing access to mental health care in underserved communities (rural, elderly, underrepresented minorities) is part of Dr. Pat Arean's research at the University of Washington. Digital mental health tools can be an important element, with or without the support of a licensed clinician.

Katherine is the founder of the Stability Network, a movement of people speaking out on their own mental health challenges and how you can thrive. The discussion focuses on stigma, prevention and early intervention in the case of mental illness, and how mental health should be treated as part of overall health.

Solome Tibebu reviews the grants the Upswing Fund just made for adolescents of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Grants were made to support direct mental health services as well as system capacity expansion. Categories included digital technology, school-based programs, stigma reduction, workforce development, and public financing.

The connection between a social determinant of health such as housing with mental health is clear. Whether someone is homeless or under-housed (in poor condition housing), that condition creates stress, instability, and can lead to dysfunction and inability to thrive. Housing is medicine, and a powerful intervention to improve lives and mental well-being. 

Inseparable focuses on policies to reduce the treatment gap in mental health, putting comprehensive school mental health systems in place, and stopping the criminalization of mental illness. Policy work on these takes place at the federal, state, and local levels, and philanthropy can make an important difference.

Learn why infant and maternal mental well being is so important, and how Perigee is investing in organizations and communities to support timely interventions, building family relationships and support, and how social, emotional, and behavioral challenges can be overcome.

The discussion explores the use of technology in behavioral and mental health treatment, particularly with respect to particular communities.

Discussion on why policy is important in reforming mental health care and what reforms are needed.

Julia O'Connor is a Health and Social Policy Advisor for the Washington State Workforce Board and a deep content expert on the mental health field. The challenges of building a diverse and capable supply of mental and behavioral health professionals is huge. We explore how issues such as availability, location, diversity, pay rates, student debt, and supervision affect our therapists, community health workers, peer support specialists and other important mental health specialists.

Dr Ben-Zeev discusses how mobile technologies (e.g. smart phones, sensor based wearables, etc.) can improve the outcomes of people with mental health conditions. He discusses initiatives including development of a smartphone intervention for schizophrenia and deployment of behavioral sensing technologies among inpatients and outpatients to identify risk factors for relapse.

Rep. Davis @laurendaviswa is a mental health, substance abuse recovery, and suicide prevention advocate. She founded the suicide prevention organization Forefront and was the founder and director of the Washington Recovery Alliance. Her efforts led to the passage of Ricky's law enabling the involuntary crisis commitment of youth and adults with life-threatening addiction. 

Almost 100% of women who are incarcerated have a history of abuse which affected their mental health and ability to live productive lives. 70% of men incarcerated with felony convictions have either been a witness to violence in the home or had violence inflicted on them when they were young. These experiences can alter brain make-up, create mental illness and lead to a pathway that is antisocial and leads to prison. Karen discusses how people can be diverted from the criminal justice system or prevented from returning to prison and their lives turned around. An incredibly rich and thoughtful perspective from a community leader.

Casey Trupin has extensive experience advocating for and investing in programs for youth experiencing homelessness. Learn about how deep problems in youth homelessness have been tackled and philanthropy's role in effecting positive change.  The mental health challenges of youth and the connection to mental health is discussed. The critical role of data to make informed decisions and the role of youth in framing problems and articulating solutions is explored.   

The former CEO of Navos, a large community mental health clinic, describes the landscape of challenges in the mental health field. Uniquely able to talk about the role of philanthropy in pilot programs and scaling up nonprofits, David brings decades of experience to bear in one insightful conversation. 

Learn about mental health challenges in the home for all generations and what you can do. The discussion then shifts to homelessness and people living with mental illness who are on the streets. Drawing on his years as a public service employee and a private therapist Jackie brings a unique perspective to homeless people suffering from mental illness and potential solutions. The disparity in access to mental health solutions for people of color is addressed.

Tackling hard problems is what philanthropy should do, investing in emerging ideas, leadership, and pilot projects. The discussion includes a focus on urgent mental health issues such as the linkage between crisis response and the criminal justice system. How can systems be transformed to improve lives? How philanthropists of all capabilities should and can become involved in mental health solutions is discussed. 

Your time, talent, connections, and yes, money, can make a difference in important community issues (i.e., mental health, social justice, youth and family support, etc.). Navigating giving is challenging - you want to do good and do it well. Join Nick MacPhee, an experienced philanthropist, as each week he dives deep into topics in philanthropy with a team of experts. Uncover pitfalls and opportunities and build your understanding so you can make more informed and valued contributions to your community.