news & publications

Dec 21, 2023

Concept Note
Power of Community: A Concept Note for Philanthropists
By Anna Bobb, Elizabeth Heetderks-Fong

An epidemic of untreated mental illness is ravaging American communities today, fueled by worsening risk factors like loneliness, isolation, addiction, and screen dependence. At one end of the problem is a persistent nationwide shortage of trained mental health professionals. At the other is the reluctance of patients — especially patients from underserved communities — to seek help at all, a factor research suggests may be an even larger contributor to our gaping access gap.

Oct 14, 2023

Event
Friendly Pitch Session at the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Services Conference
By Anna Bobb

Anna Bobb joined other leaders at the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Services Conference to discuss how capital can be better deployed to close the mental health access gap and promote mental well-being.

Sep 7, 2023

Event
Connecting at the Intersection of Faith, Community, and Mental Health: The Urgency of Now!
By Anna Bobb

Anna Bobb joined other leaders at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building at the foot of Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to discuss how community and faith-based organizations can play a more active role in closing the mental health access gap and promoting mental well-being.

May 9, 2023

Article
New Frontier: Philanthropy’s Role in Digital Mental Health
By Anna Bobb

Digital apps can bridge the gap between the fractured, unsustainable status quo to the inclusive, equitable, healthier future. By focusing on social returns while the market focuses on financial returns, philanthropy can catalyze these transformative innovations, reaching millions, even tens of millions of patients needlessly suffering without treatment, and shaping the future of both technology and mental health. 

Feb 21, 2023

Briefing
Philanthropic Opportunities for Enhancement of Digital Mental Health
By Elizabeth Heetderks-Fong

Everyone deserves affordable, accessible, effective mental health care. Digital health tools for both adults and kids, if used safely and effectively, can help achieve this. Often, due to regulatory barriers and lack of reimbursement, innovative digital tools don’t reach those who need them the most, especially at-risk populations.

Jan 1, 2023

Briefing
Framework for the Philanthropic Support of Crisis Services
By Anna Bobb

A growing number of philanthropists are exploring the impact of developing a universally available, community-based system of care for people experiencing mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) crises and emergencies. Such a system would be built on principles of racial justice, health equity, digital health and advanced technologies, local control, and financial sustainability. One key outcome of this system is that jails, emergency rooms, and prisons are no longer the default response for people with MH/ SUD conditions when they experience a crisis or emergency.