Thinking of donating? Here are 5 awesome national mental health causes to keep in mind.
Jeff Guenther, LPC on May 02, 2017
As mental health professionals we know how important and transformative our work can be. We touch many lives throughout our careers. However, many of us don’t put too much thought into how our clients were able to find and access our services. It may not be something we even have time to think about because we are so busy seeing clients and managing our practices or working in an agency. But it’s important to take a step back and acknowledge that some people don’t have the means, access or ability to reach out for help. As a single person, we might not be able to do much to make sure more people have access to care. However, there are some amazing organizations that advocate for mental health access and awareness. You can help them widen their reach and make an impact by making a charitable donation in support of their work. Below are five national mental health organizations doing amazing things!
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is one of the most well-known grassroots organizations that is committed to building better lives for millions of Americans experiencing mental illness. With a focus on education and advocacy, NAMI works in communities through local affiliates to raise awareness and provide support to those in need. They are working towards a world where all people affected by mental illness can experience hope, recovery and wellness in a world free of stigma. Click here to make a donation to NAMI.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. In addition to educating the public, advocating for mental health and suicide prevention policy and supporting survivors of suicide loss, the AFSP funds scientific research. Click here to make a donation to the AFSP.
The Arc
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This includes more than 100 different diagnoses, such as autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and various other developmental disabilities. The Arc is on the frontlines, ensuring that every individual and family living with an intellectual or developmental disability in the US has access to the information, advocacy and skills they need to participate as active citizens of our democracy and active members of their community. Click here to make a donation to the Arc.
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by funding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research. 100% of all donor contributions for research are invested in work leading to discoveries in understanding causes and improving treatments of disorders in children and adults, such as depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, autism, and bipolar, attention-deficit hyperactivity, post-traumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Click here to make a donation to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Founded in conjunction with the Oscar-winning short film Trevor in 1998, the Trevor Project created the first nationwide 24-hour crisis line for LGBTQ youth. Since then, hundreds of thousands of young people have reached out through the Trevor Project’s multiple in-person and online life-saving, life-affirming resources – Trevor Lifeline, TrevorChat, TrevorSpace and Trevor Education Workshops. Click here to donate to the Trevor Project.
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Jeff Guenther, LPC, is a therapist in Portland, OR. He has been in private practice since 2005. Jeff is the creator and owner of Portland Therapy Center, a highly ranked therapist directory. Jeff, and his team, have launched a new progressive therapist directory, TherapyDen.
