Behavioral Health Data Added to Health Equity Tracker
The Health Equity Tracker, supported by the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, Annie E. Casey Foundation, CDC Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Google.org, and AARP, recently announced the creation of a behavioral health category and the addition of six indicators related to mental health and substance use.
Older Adults’ Mental Health Needs
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund compares older adults’ mental health needs and access to treatment in the United States and other high-income countries to better understand coverage gaps and opportunities for improvement.
New York State Health Foundation Brief Examines Food Scarcity’s Influence on Mental Health
A new issue brief authored by the New York State Health Foundation, “Food Scarcity’s Influence on Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York State,” builds of previous analyses foundation analyses that documented increased rates of poor mental health and food scarcity among New York residents. Using national research as the basis, this new report explores the association between experiencing food scarcity and poor mental health during the pandemic.
Funder Approaches to Youth Behavioral Health Equity
Even before the pandemic, the mental health and well-being of adolescents and young adults was worrisome and worsening. COVID-19 has exacerbated these trends and heightened existing disparities. GIH surveyed its Funding Partners in October 2021 to better understand how health foundations are addressing youth behavioral health equity. The survey results are summarized in an infographic that provides a useful snapshot of primary funding areas, types of populations supported, and top funding strategies.
40 Years and Future Focused: Introduction of GIH’s New Strategic Plan
Grantmakers In Health was created nearly 40 years ago. In the four decades since then, much has changed in the world related to philanthropy, policy, health care, and our understanding of health and wellness. GIH President Cara James provides a first look at GIH’s new strategic plan.
The Time is Now: A Call for Philanthropic Engagement in the Implementation of the New 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline
The Sozosei Foundation believes that 988 provides a once in a lifetime philanthropic opportunity to create the mental health and crisis response services that, frankly, have never been properly resourced. We believe that this will help to decriminalize mental illness and significantly move the needle on our overarching goal of eliminating the use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
TRAILS: A Landmark Public-Private Partnership for Youth Mental Health
As funders, we recognize that expansive challenges often require expansive solutions—and that building sustainable mental health support requires broad community buy-in. Our work with the University of Michigan organization TRAILS exemplifies this effort: by embedding mental health services directly into schools, TRAILS works to ensure that all students have access to the care they need.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation: October 2021
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation recently released a new report, “Opening the Door to Behavioral Health Open Access in Massachusetts: A Look at the Experience and Opportunities to Support Implementation.”