news & publications

Feb 13, 2025

Concept Note
Revolutionizing the Behavioral Health Workforce: A Critical Role for Philanthropy  
By Anna Bobb, Laudan Aron

For decades, the United States has consistently failed to provide essential mental health and substance use care to Americans. A central reason is that the people integral to delivering care are not accessible to the individuals and families when and where they need them. 

Sep 9, 2024

Article
The Power of Trust: How Community-Based Workers Can Close the Mental Health Access Gap
By Anna Bobb, Elizabeth Heetderks-Fong

In a new study published in the Community Mental Health Journal, we highlight the crucial role of frontline caregivers, often referred to as “Behavioral Health Support Specialists.”

Apr 29, 2024

Article
How Foundations Can Tackle the Mental Health Crisis 
By Anna Bobb

Courage is the defining quality of people with mental and behavioral health challenges, who brave daunting internal and external challenges to seek help. Courage is also the key ingredient in the philanthropic work America needs to overcome the mental health crisis now besetting the nation.

Apr 3, 2024

Article
Philanthropy’s Uneasy Journey Into Mental Health Grantmaking
By Anna Bobb

We interviewed representatives of 17 national, regional, and local foundations—with assets ranging from just under $1 million to $12 billion (and a mean of $2.2 billion, median of $130 million)—regarding their experiences funding mental and behavioral health projects.

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.