Mental health: Tackling immediate needs

Click here to view a general explanation of Tackling Immediate Needs

You might be interested in meeting the immediate needs of children, adults, families and communities by supporting efforts that promote positive mental health or that respond to the needs of people with mental health problems. 

Promoting healthy social-emotional development among infants, toddlers, children, and youth is essential for achieving lifelong mental health.  Programs may help children and their adult caregivers address issues such as forming strong attachments, expressing feelings, feeling empathy, controlling impulses, and managing anger. 

Camp Fire USA First Texas Council offers traditional club programs such as camp and outdoor programs for boys and girls, while also focusing on families. Building upon its extensive expertise in early childhood development, Camp Fire USA First Texas Council is implementing an infant/toddler mental health initiative to train parents and educators in infant-toddler mental health strategies.  The training can help prevent mental health problems and improve relationships between caregiver and child.
 
Reduce social isolation.  Over the course of one's life, mental well-being is supported by social connections and the norms of reciprocity and trust that arise from them.

Reducing social isolation by establishing these social connections can be particularly important for people with mental illness.  Home visitation programs are offered by many senior centers and mental health agencies.  "Welcome programs" for new immigrants bring new residents into contact with cultural centers.  These organizations can help prevent social isolation, while also referring people suffering from mental illness to appropriate treatment services.

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a national organization with chapters across the country, including Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia.  Committed to relieving loneliness and isolation among the elderly, many of whom are very low-income and vulnerable to abuse, Little Brothers matches community volunteers with seniors to build friendship and support. These volunteers, or “friends,” may commit to regular visits, attending holiday and other celebrations, or escorting seniors on trips.    

Expand affordable, accessible and appropriate mental health services.  Mental health services oriented toward prevention and recovery, such as counseling, peer-support, and life skills training are in great need, especially for low-income populations. These services can help address mental health needs before they reach the point of crisis.  Accessible, culturally appropriate interventions can be provided through schools, preschools and neighborhood-based agencies.

Asian Community Mental Health Services  offers care that reflects the cultural and language diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area's Asian communities. Services include case management, psychotherapy for individuals, groups, and families, and medication therapy services.  Families are supported and strengthened through home visits, parenting support groups, support with coordinating family resources, and assistance with preparing children for school.

---

Before you give...  Giving to mental health programs that directly serve low-income populations can have a dramatic impact on community well-being. 

Questions to consider before you give:

1. Are there particular kinds of people you want to help?  What types of assistance are you most interested in supporting?  
2. What local programs come closest to meeting those needs?
3. Do you have a clear sense of how your support will be used?  
4. What specific activities fall into the group's direct service?
5. Are former or current consumers of the services asked for input and to help design services? 
6. Does the group have any methods for seeking consumer feedback?
7. How does the group define success? Is this in keeping with your notion of success?
8. How many individuals/families are served on a monthly, annual basis? 
9. What are the costs of services?  Are costs in line with your expectations or conversely, do figures seem low in light of the group's goals?
10. What percentage of the group's budget is spent on operations, program delivery, fundraising?  Does the division seem appropriate to you?
11. What is the group's reputation with other funders?  Other nonprofits?
12. How does the group raise funds? Is there a long-term strategy for support? 
13. Does the group work with other groups or government programs serving the same constituency? If so, how? If not, why not?
14. Does the group's board mirror the diversity of the community?
15. Does the board actively take part in fundraising or mission-oriented activities? 
16. Does the group have a range of donors - local individuals, government, foundations, etc?
17. Does the group have a strong volunteer base?
18. In addition to grant money, are there other ways you can assist the group in  meeting their goals?

You may find some questions irrelevant or have a few questions of your own, not listed here.  This list is not meant to be exhaustive. 

Try using the questions as a springboard for lively and respectful conversation between you and a potential grantee. Or as a way of discussing a grant proposal with your fellow trustees, your family or other board members.

Related Reading

Other Ways to Take Action in Mental health

• Advocating for change

• Developing new programs

• Organizing for change

• Strengthening community groups