Watch: A Mental Health Mission

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to deepen understanding of mental health conditions and foster support for the millions of people who live with them. The Pew Charitable Trusts is committed to improving mental health care in the United States and pursues multiple projects related to that goal. Hear from members of our staff about why they chose to do this work and what makes it meaningful to them.

Being Part of the Change

When Brandee Izquierdo was seeking help for substance use and mental health disorders, she had no options for addressing both at the same time. Now leading behavioral health programs at Pew, she works to create the kind of treatment system she once needed and to advance policy that can save lives. She underscores the importance of mental health, not only for people in recovery but also for the community around them.

Building a Better System

Throughout her career in law and behavioral health, Connie Utada has watched as barriers to mental health care cause even highly motivated people to give up on seeking treatment. She believes people should not be defined by their worst moments, and she values the opportunity to work with Pew on solutions that make state health and justice systems more equitable.

Prioritizing Safety

Before coming to Pew, Hillary Gore worked with clients who seemed to be stuck in the justice system because of their mental health conditions. Individual case work informed her later efforts to help divert people from crisis into care at the earliest possible opportunity. At Pew she supports state efforts to build better crisis-response systems.

Children at Risk

As a school-based mental health counselor, Stacey Baxter saw elementary-aged children’s mental health suffer because of food insecurity, housing instability, and other systemic problems. Today, she works with Pew to improve mental health support and reduce the risk of suicide among children and all at-risk groups.

Care Over Punishment

Having seen loved ones caught between the behavioral health and justice fields, Kati Habert knows from experience that no single system can address the complex needs of people with mental health conditions. During her time with Pew, she provided technical assistance in support of policies that can help ensure that individuals receive effective treatment, without unnecessary jail time and emergency room visits.