The New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) is taking bold steps to combat the mental health crisis at a local level with its newly established Community Behavioral Health Fund.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, approximately 1 in 4 American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, while the CDC reports that 1 in 5 children suffers from the same.
Yet a 2021 National Institute of Mental Health report showed that the average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and treatment initiation is a whopping 11 years, highlighting just how difficult it is for individuals who need help to access treatment.
Over the past few years, conversations surrounding behavioral health have gained momentum. The pandemic emphasized the vulnerability of our community’s emotional well-being across all ages and demographics, and shed light on the urgent need for accessible and effective support.
The New Canaan Community Foundation has served as a local catalyst for charitable giving since 1977. The Foundation’s contributions span across various sectors, notably providing grants to nonprofit organizations serving a wide variety of people and issues, both in New Canaan and more broadly in our region. As an important complement to this grantmaking, the Foundation also spends significant time and resources to bring partners together, coordinating collective efforts on particularly difficult or timely local issues.
The recent launch of the Community Behavioral Health Fund represents the newest chapter in NCCF’s commitment to responsive leadership. Taking a more holistic approach to well-being, the Fund strives for a healthy and connected community that embraces all aspects of mental health and well-being. The Fund aims to break down barriers to mental health care, ensuring that individuals and families have better access to vital services. By tracking and understanding local data, it will offer valuable insights into trends, measure the impact of interventions, and foster collaboration among key stakeholders. As a top priority, the Fund will also address the critical issue of stigma surrounding mental health, championing efforts to create a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help.
NCCF grants have historically supported behavioral health organizations on a broader level, promoting mental health services, as well as substance use prevention, education, and treatment. However, conversations with stakeholders highlighted the need for greater emphasis on destigmatizing mental health issues and the need for individualized support. In 2019, this gave rise to the Behavioral Health Committee, spearheaded by NCCF and dedicated local leaders and marked a pivotal milestone in tackling mental health concerns head-on.
In the four years since its formation, the Behavioral Health Committee invested nearly $350,000 in grants, as well as additional behavioral health dollars through the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. The committee also championed the establishment of the New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program at Silver Hill Hospital, connecting those in urgent need of mental health treatment with free psychiatric assessment within 48 hours, as well as tailored referral for ongoing care. The program’s impact has been tangible–in its inaugural year, 120 individuals across all age groups have benefited from its support.
Fast forward to summer 2023 and the early progress made by the Community Behavioral Health Fund is already evident. Less than six months since its launch, the Fund has raised over $400,000, including meeting a $200,000 challenge match donation from a group of generous families who gave anonymously to encourage broad community participation. In its first grant distribution, a remarkable $50,000 has been allocated to support the second year of the New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program at Silver Hill Hospital.
As New Canaan Community Foundation ushers in a new era of comprehensive behavioral health support, it promotes a clear message: investing in behavioral health is essential to the overall well-being of our community. This mission requires participation from all corners of the community, and a united front.
Together, we can build a resilient community that places mental health and well-being at its core. If you’re inspired to make a lasting impact on the emotional health of our community, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.newcanaancf.org.
Lauren Patterson joined the New Canaan Community Foundation as President & CEO in October 2016. She has worked in community philanthropy for more than fifteen years, and is passionate about helping families and businesses meet their charitable goals.
