The gap is widening between mental health care and our nation’s youth. The continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices, and climate change are deepening this crevice and weighing on young people. The U.S. Surgeon General issued a stark warning on youth mental health, and doctors, hospitals, mental health organizations, and young people are also sounding the alarm.

Despite affecting about 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, mental health accounted for only 1.3 percent of overall foundation investments between 2015 and 2018–and even less funding is specific to kids and teens. Action to address the gaps in youth mental health is critical and urgent.

The Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health was established to help bring together nonprofit partners and leaders in children’s mental health to address existing gaps in care by prioritizing innovative methods.

For those looking to get involved, here are some ideas from our experience:

  • Find ways to underpin mental health across your current grantmaking programs. This led to the formation of the Alliance and an intentional expansion of the Morgan Stanley Foundation’s mission to give children the healthy start they need in life to succeed. There are so many potential intersections with children’s mental health from physical health and education to workplace capacity, social equity, and criminal justice reform.
  • Support innovative, culturally responsive solutions. While we are honored to work with more established organizations like the Child Mind Institute and the Jed Foundation, we are also excited to seed fund and support new approaches that need help getting exposure. Find the organizations doing the work that need your support and prioritize groups that are led by and serve people of color, who often struggle to get early capital and support. The Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards second call for applications has launched and we welcome your help spreading the word.
  • Become a mental health advocate. Continue learning more about children’s mental health issues, fighting stigmas, and raising awareness among your communities and organizations. At Morgan Stanley, we have integrated and prioritized mental health advocacy through our own internal operations and employee benefits and have seen a positive impact.

Read the full article about funding youth mental health by Joan Steinberg at Grantmakers In Health.