Big Boost for Mental Health Support in San Diego
San Diego Foundation is stepping up to the challenge. This Tuesday, they announced a heartwarming decision to dole out $1.5 million in grants. This big chunk of money is aimed directly at helping kids and families in San Diego get better access to mental and behavioral health services.
Pamela Gray Payton, a big boss at the San Diego Foundation, shared some thoughts. “We’re really putting our hearts into helping kids and families who need it the most. We want to make sure they have a fighting chance to shine and grow in our community,” she stated.
What’s the Plan?
Now, let’s break this down. Here’s what the money will do:
- Nonprofits that help kids and families feel better inside will get support. They focus on caring for each person’s unique needs and helping everyone understand it’s okay to seek help.
- They’re also throwing a lifeline to folks wanting to work in mental health fields. Some organizations will give money to these future helpers to cover things like bus tickets or daycare for their kids while they study.
Fancy getting involved? Here’s what that means: If you run a nonprofit in San Diego County, you might want to throw your hat in the ring. Be quick though! Applications need to be in by March 28, 2025. Just hop over to SDFoundation.org/apply to toss your name into the mix.
The Bigger Picture
Having good mental health starts when you’re just a tiny tot. Learning how to handle feelings and stress is super important for kids. But, it’s tough when life keeps throwing curveballs. Kids facing these tough times often end up struggling in school or having a hard time controlling their emotions.
Data’s pretty grim, folks. In California, mental health troubles are the number one reason why kids end up in hospital. To top it off, California is at the back of the line when it comes to kids getting the help they need. Not great, right?
According to a report from the San Diego Workforce Partnership, we’re going to need about 18,500 more pros to help out with mental health by 2027. One way they’re thinking of fixing this is by helping students with costs like getting to and from class and where to leave their kids while they learn.
Who’s Helping Out?
Not everyone finds it easy to talk to a health pro that gets where they’re coming from. The American Psychological Association points out that most mental health pros are White, and only a few are Black or African American. Getting more diversity in the field could help a lot of folks feel more at ease.
Since 2017, the San Diego Foundation has been all about this cause, giving over $7.6 million through 128 grants. They focus on getting kids and families the support they need right from the start.
They’re not stopping there! In 2021, the Foundation kicked off a big plan called Fifty & Forward. They want to work with donors to put $500 million into local nonprofits that help with education, families, and keeping our environment clean. They’re also aiming to gather another $1 billion to help set up San Diego’s future. Up to now, they’ve given out $335 million to strengthen our community.
Want to chip in and help out? Check out what you can do at SDFoundation.org/50. Every little bit helps in building a brighter tomorrow for San Diego’s little ones and their families.
