Mental health: Developing new programs

Click here to view a general explanation of Developing New Programs

As a donor, you can play a key role helping communities develop innovative, new programs focused on strengthening mental health. 

Before starting a new program, it will be important to understand what is currently happening in your community. Scanning your community can also help you identify potential partners for new programs.

Improve community environments. The quality and character of a one's environment can play a large role in promoting or hindering mental health.  Poor and inadequate housing produces psychological stress while good building and neighborhood design can promote a stronger sense of community, better relationships, and a sense of quality of life.

Gardens, murals, and music promote a healing environment.  Opportunities to play actively, express emotions and creativity, and experience positive social connections are vital for developing mental well-being in young people.

Promote early mental health screening, assessment and referral. Early detection of mental health problems can shorten their duration and prevent them from becoming severe. When a mental disturbance is identified early, a child's recovery is more likely.  Moreover, a co-occurring substance abuse problem and/or suicidal behavior can be prevented.

Routine screening combined with treatment and support is recommended in primary health care facilities, schools, and in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and child welfare settings.

The Columbia University TeenScreen Program is an adolescent mental health and suicide-screening initiative active in 43 states. The program gives parents the opportunity for teenaged children to receive a voluntary mental health check-up in schools, doctors' offices, juvenile justice facilities, and other youth organizations. A positive screen is followed by a clinical interview.  If treatment is recommended, follow-up services with the teen and family are provided.

Promote coordinated, comprehensive mental health services. By expanding services and promoting effective collaboration among families, social services, health, juvenile justice, and schools, gaps in mental health services can be filled.

Some examples of innovative approaches include:

• Systems of care that connect mental health services to primary care and other services
• Independent living centers and supportive housing (permanent housing with support services) for homeless individuals with serious mental illness
• Jail diversion programs for adults with serious mental illness arrested for nonviolent crimes

While change of entire systems might be the ultimate solution to fully address mental health needs, intermediate steps can fill critical gaps. Establishing a sliding scale clinic run by volunteer professionals or training mental health consumers to provide peer-counseling and advocacy are examples of two small steps that could lead to improved services for low-income populations. 

---

Before you give...  New or expanded programs can help people access mental health services and lead to stronger communities overall. 

Whenever a group attempts to implement new programs, however, risk is involved. To mitigate this risk and ensure that the program lasts, it is important to explore a few issues.

Questions to consider before you give:

1. Are there gaps in current services which you think need to be filled?  What are they, and are there nonprofits which are ready to provide these services if they can raise sufficient funds? Or do you have an opportunity to urge a community group to try out a program you have seen work elsewhere?
2. Is there an opportunity for you to learn from testing this new way of addressing issues you care about? 
3. If successful, will the new program result in significant gains in employment? 
4. Does the group have the capacity (staffing, budget, time) to take on a new program? 
5. Does the group have a strategy to raise funds for the new program after its start-up phase? In other words, is there a plan for sustainability?
6. Will the program duplicate already existing services? 
7. Is the community group involving other community partners (for example, other nonprofits, potential beneficiaries of the program, business, government and philanthropic sectors)?
8. Having considered the other questions, what is the likelihood of success for new programs? Will failure harm the entire organization or the intended beneficiaries of the programs or might the leadership skills and experience gained allow the group to be successful next time? How much risk are you willing to accept?
9. 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

• Organizing for change

• Strengthening community groups

• Tackling immediate needs