Mindful Giving: Inspiring Philanthropy in Community Mental Health 

Earlier this month, a united group of faith-driven philanthropists, Houston Philanthropy Circle, gathered to explore a pressing societal issue: the mental health crisis. The Houston Philanthropy Circle is a network of individuals committed to supporting local nonprofits that serve the greater Houston area. Their mission extends beyond financial contributions—they foster education, collaboration, and action to address some of our communities’ most significant challenges. 

The event, hosted at Greater Houston Community Foundation’s office, brought together leading experts who have pioneered innovative and evidence-based methods to combat the mental health crisis. The event aimed at equipping attendees with knowledge and tools to ensure their contributions make the most significant impact, inspiring meaningful and lasting change in our communities. Continue reading to learn more about the valuable insights and meaningful discussions had regarding the mental health landscape.  

Table of Contents 

• Meet our Panelists and Facilitators 
• The Broader Mental Health Landscape 
• Catalysts for the Crisis 
• How Philanthropists Can Help 
• Faith and Mental Health 
• Championing Change 

Meet our Panelists and Facilitators 

The event featured an esteemed panel of mental health professionals, community leaders, and faith-based advocates. Each panelist brought a unique perspective, shedding light on various aspects of the crisis, from clinical challenges to societal influences. Meet our panelists, who all, in unique ways, are working to combat the mental health crisis:  

• Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D., Marjorie Bintliff Johnson and Raleigh White Johnson, Jr. Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine and Director of the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Program 

• Matthew S. Stanford, Ph.D., CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute 

• Kevin Stuart, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Faith and Culture; Interim Director for Catholic Studies and MPPA program; Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of St. Thomas 

Greg Hambrick, CEO of The Baxter Trust and Houston Philanthropy Circle Board Member, was the emcee. Will Cravens, EVP of the Scanlan Foundation and Houston Philanthropy Circle Advisory Board Member, expertly moderated the panelists. Cravens’ support for faith-based therapy helped bridge the conversation between the experts and the attending philanthropists.  

Click here to see the full bios of our panelists and facilitators.

The Broader Mental Health Landscape 

The mental health crisis is a growing concern in the United States.  To provide context and a clearer understanding of the current mental health landscape, we analyzed data from Understanding Houston. Below are some national and regional data points about mental health:  

• 23% of adults experienced a mental illness in the last year. 

• 20% of youth ages 12 to 17 years old and young adults ages 18 to 25 have experienced a major depressive episode. This has increased from 13% and 11%, respectively, since 2016. For adults 26 years and older, 7% have experienced a major depressive episode.  

• Harris County residents face more mentally unhealthy days per month than the state and nation, with a rise of 1.5 days in just two years. 

• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5% of adults 18 years and older have experienced serious thoughts of suicide, and 3% of youth aged 12-17 have attempted suicide. 

• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, of adults who had an unmet need for mental health treatment, 54% of them did not receive treatment due to costs. 

According to our speakers, the stigma surrounding mental health has only recently begun to diminish, but systemic challenges persist. Mental health disorders disproportionately impact individuals in young adulthood, leading to lost income, unfulfilled potential, and widespread societal costs. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including early intervention, improved access to care, and enhanced public education. 

Want to dig deeper into our region’s mental health data? Visit understandinghouston.org/topic/health/mental-health.

Catalysts for the Crisis 

Despite the urgency, mental health care remains inaccessible for many. Here are some key barriers and root causes related to challenges with our mental health care system, as discussed by the panelists: 

• Inadequate Availability: There is a shortage of mental health care providers. According to Mental Health America’s State of Mental Health report, Texas ranks last in access to care and has for at least the last decade. While in our region, the ratio of the number of residents for every one mental healthcare provider has decreased, showing there has been an increase in the availability of mental healthcare providers, our region’s ratio is still 2-3 times higher compared to the national ratio which means our region has less access to mental healthcare compared to the nation overall. 

• Limited Accessibility: Psychiatric crises occur at all hours of the day or night, yet mental health services often do not operate on a 24/7 basis. It would be beneficial to develop more channels for access to care, similar to the urgent care models for non-emergency medical needs that need immediate attention. Access to lower levels of intervention with lower-skilled mental health providers would provide escalation for many people in advance of reaching a mental health emergency crisis. 

• Fragmented System: Resources are disjointed, leaving many individuals without clear pathways to care. Channels need to be developed so people can access ongoing support. 

• Lack of Education: The general population needs to be educated and trained in how to recognize early signs of a potential mental health crisis. Pastors, teachers, and other frontline workers frequently encounter distressed individuals but often lack the training to provide appropriate support. Addressing these gaps requires structural changes and a commitment to making mental health care as accessible as other forms of medical treatment.  

• More Levels of Providers: There is a need for lower-level intervention. Lower-skilled mental health providers, 

• More Research Needed: While there are medicines that treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, there is still a lot of progress to be made in understanding the brain circuitry so that there is more precision in diagnosis and treatment. The panel made the analogy to cancer—with a cancer diagnosis, there is a unique treatment plan based on the area of the body, stage, type, etc. For mental health treatments, more information should be gathered to provide a more granular approach to an individual diagnosis and treatment.  

• Financial Constraints: According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20% of adults struggling with mental health are not getting intervention because of difficulties with things such as transportation, childcare, or finding appointment times that worked for them. The costs of receiving mental healthcare can go beyond just paying a mental healthcare provider, and this is especially concerning considering that, according to Understanding Houston, 44% of households in our region do not have sufficient income to cover their basic needs.  

• Absence of Collaboration: There are a lot of nonprofits in our region that are overwhelmed by the unbelievable number of people who need mental health intervention, but few are coming together for strategic, meaningful collaboration.  

How Philanthropists Can Help 

Panelists reiterated that philanthropists play a crucial role in reducing barriers, increasing education, and connecting people to the services they need. Meaningful ways that were discussed on what philanthropists can do to help combat the mental health crisis include: 

• Funding accessibility initiatives such as transportation assistance, reduced-cost medications, and crisis intervention programs. 

• Supporting education initiatives to equip the general population with mental health knowledge, especially educators and religious leaders. This will help further with the destigmatization of mental health. 

• Integrating mental health awareness into all sectors—education, housing, employment, and beyond. Mental health is not an isolated issue—it intersects with every aspect of life. Whatever cause philanthropists choose to support, recognizing the mental health component within that work is essential.  

• Encouraging collaboration among nonprofits to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact. 

• Recognizing early intervention needs—mental health challenges often begin in adolescence, making early support crucial. 

Faith & Mental Health 

Panelists discussed the striking correlation between the decline of religious participation and the rise in mental health struggles. Historically, religious institutions provided a sense of belonging and emotional support during difficult times. Panelists shared that as attendance at faith-based institutions has waned, so too has this built-in support system, contributing to societal disconnection and increased mental distress. 

Philanthropists may find beneficial opportunities to support faith-based organizations actively engaged in mental health initiatives. According to Understanding Houston, there are over 15,000 nonprofits in the Houston three-county region, and nearly a third are religion-related nonprofits. Strengthening connections between religious institutions and mental health professionals can provide critical assistance to those in need. 

In addition, the panelists shared that studies have shown that social isolation can be more detrimental to health than smoking, and most Houstonians feel lonely. According to Pew Research, national trends indicate that this rate of reported loneliness in our region has likely remained steady or even increased. At the same time, the rate of Houstonians who felt they had people to talk to or were part of a group of friends declined by eight percentage points to 72% and 65%, respectively. Understanding Houston data shows that between 2018 and 2019, only one year span, the share of Houstonians who reported that they sometimes or always felt lonely increased from 48% to 53% and has likely continued to increase post-pandemic.  

Philanthropy can help by fostering community-building initiatives that encourage real-world social interaction. Creating spaces where individuals can form meaningful connections is vital to reversing these trends. 

Championing Change 

The conversations sparked at this event underscore the importance of taking a holistic approach to mental health. From education and accessibility to faith-based support and social engagement, every sector has a role to play. By investing in strategic, collaborative solutions, philanthropists can drive real change and improve mental health outcomes for countless individuals.  

If you’re a philanthropist interested in learning more about how you can contribute to this impactful work, we invite you to connect with Greater Houston Community Foundation. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. 

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation:

• Understanding Houston: Leveraging Data for Action
• Deepening Impact: Philanthropy Through Community Foundations
• How does a Donor Advised Fund work?
• Collaborating for Mental Wellness in Houston

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