Advocacy

In collaboration with Peg’s Foundation, Scattergood Foundation and the Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, we commissioned a series of solutions-oriented policy papers titled “Think Bigger, Do Good.” Our participation ensures Western New York’s voice is part of national discussions on major mental health issues.

The policy papers are informed by an advisory council of widely recognized experts in mental health and addictions care including both strategic and tactical experts. The council provides input on prioritization of topics, selection of authors and strategy to promote effective advocacy. 

One of the Lee Foundation’s top priorities is to ensure there is a strong, well-trained mental health workforce capable of meeting community needs.  Western New York, like many regions in the United States, has a shortage of mental health professionals. By adding just one mental health professional to the workforce, hundreds of patients and their families will benefit.

Between the Lines, a campaign created in partnership with Bring Change To Mind, aims to address the workforce shortage by increasing the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, and behavioral health practitioners throughout the United States.

The multi-media campaign, which includes a PSA and website, encourages high school and college students to consider a career in mental health. The campaign spotlights individuals working in mental health professions and shares resources that can help with educational opportunities, scholarships, and loan repayment.

https://bringchange2mind.org/learn/psas/between-the-lines

Mental illnesses affect all ages, income levels, genders and races. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. Despite its prevalence, mental health services do not receive adequate public funding.

To address this issue, in 2018, we launched Be Kind 2 the Mind, a mental health initiative to raise awareness of mental illnesses and encourage community members to advocate for increased public investment in mental health services.

Partnering with the Lee Foundation in this effort were Congressman Brian Higgins (D) and Congressman Tom Reed (R).