May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And while a lot of progress has been made on the general awareness front, without a system set up to meet the demand, that awareness cannot be converted into action—i.e., services that people need. The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees, stating:

"Transforming mental health services is one of the most pressing public health challenges," Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO.

Add that to the effect of Big Tech, such as Meta and Google having been found accountable for contributing to the youth mental health crisis, and an already critical mass for awareness and need may explode in the months and years to come. Organizations on the frontlines of providing mental health services face challenges just like every other business. That said, what should be a positive in a traditional business sense (overwhelming demand) is one of the key issues these organizations are trying to solve.

BLDG has been working with organizations in the mental health space for over a decade. And while they are not the only ones facing these challenges, the problems we are helping them solve are relevant in the healthcare industry and beyond. 

1. Shortages: funding, workforce, and more.

Over ⅓ of Americans live in "Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas." Patients are 9 to 10x more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental health care. We are facing a shortage of 88,000 mental health counselors and 114,000 addiction counselors by 2037.

All of these statistics point to a lack of providers and workforce. OneQuest Health is working to address this challenge. We have been working with OneQuest Health in their transition from a children’s home to a regional behavioral health company. They seek to change the model of healthcare directly.

This progress includes making considerable headway in expanding services to low-income and more rural communities, a commitment highlighted by promoting health equity for populations utilizing Medicaid. Furthermore, they are actively addressing the workforce crisis through catalytic partnerships with universities such as Northern Kentucky University. This collaboration actively incentivizes and trains the next generation of mental health professionals via initiatives like paid internships, apprenticeships, and over $200,000 in tuition scholarships from the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund.

They’ve made great strides, but the work is far from done. You can learn more about them and help them in their mission to Transform America’s Health by visiting their website, or even donating, today.

2. Clarity: how to define what you do in a sea of “awareness”

In this era of peak awareness, many of these organizations are non-profits, and many of these non-profits are all vying for the same pools of dollars. Found Village, an organization we helped redefine themselves and their service model, is a great example of this challenge. Instead of piling on to already existing services, they focus on building community for at-risk youth through rebuilding foundational trust.  We're thrilled to share that they've been selected for funding by bi3 for $1.5 million. Through an examination of the work they did and putting that together in a package that helps everyone understand quickly the important service they provide, they’re showing that a strong north star brought to life can move the needle.

If you’d like to help Found Village in their critical work, donate to them today.

3. Stigma: improving experiences to combat challenges

Stigma or lack of understanding remains a powerful force in keeping people from receiving treatment and organizations from fulfilling their missions. Lack of access to treatment further dissuades many patients seeking things such as substance use disorder care. Even if they do visit facilities, those facilities sometimes lack the operations that truly make them feel like patients, treating them more like problems. Sunrise Treatment Center takes a more understanding approach to this reality, ensuring they treat patients with dignity and respect. They pay particular attention to improving wait times at their facilities, as well as simply assuring that their facilities are well kept, bright, and inviting. We worked with them to bring that defiantly dignified approach to life through a rethink of how the organization presents itself, from online scheduling to in-person visiting.

Every industry and every business has challenges. And though the awareness being built around mental health is encouraging and helpful, that awareness goes to waste if we do not solve the underlying issues keeping people and organizations from getting or providing effective care. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.