Washington, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and APA Foundation (APAF) is announcing the fourth class of MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program grantees. Five grant recipients are working to support mental health equity for young people of color, including Aunt Rita's Foundation (Arizona), Burton Homes Community Outreach NFP (Illinois), Oakland Natives Give Back Fund, Inc. (California), Our Minds Matter (Washington, D.C.), and Peoples Empowerment Through Advocacy, Counseling, & Education (Georgia).

Each recipient was awarded a grant up to $10,000 over two years. The grants were funded by the APA & APAF MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K Run, Walk & Roll, which launched in 2021. The 5K is part of a series of APA events focused on mental health equity for young people of color, kicked off during Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

“This is a terrific group of grantees who will do important frontline work to change the lives of many young people,” said Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A., APA Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director; APAF Chair of the Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to all the APA members and community members who have participated in and donated to the Moore Equity in Mental Health 5Ks to help make it all possible.”

“Far too many young people are struggling with their mental health, and to know these grants can help organizations better serve their communities is encouraging” said Regina S. James, M.D., APA’s Deputy Medical Director and Chief of the Division of Diversity and Health Equity. “The Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative is about collective work towards a common goal – addressing youth mental health and healthcare inequities.”

“The APA Foundation is proud to support the MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K community grant program.,” said APAF Executive Director Rawle Andrews, Esq. “Together, with our outstanding grantees, we are making strides in mental health awareness, literacy, and access for young people of color.”

The grantees include:

• Aunt Rita's Foundation’s Positive Empowerment Youth Retreat in Arizona will support HIV-positive youth of color through education, empowerment, and community-building. The retreat provides a safe space where participants can connect with peers, gain valuable knowledge about managing their mental and physical health, and develop leadership skills.
• Burton Homes Community Outreach NFP will address youth mental health needs and substance use in Chicago’s South Side. Their project encompasses comprehensive support services, mental health consultations, case management, psychiatric care linkages, and nutritional support.
• Oakland Natives Give Back Fund Inc. will serve young women of color in the Oakland, California, area through the Girls Equity Movement Mental Health Equity Initiative. The initiative will incorporate a combination of culturally responsive mental health services, social-emotional learning workshops, and peer-led support groups.
• Our Minds Matter helps Washington, D.C., public school students take action for their own mental health through teen-led clubs. With the support of the grant, Our Minds Matter will expand to additional schools and offer training, resources, and ongoing coaching to enable students to learn about, care for, and transform school cultures around mental health.
• Peoples Empowerment Through Advocacy, Counseling, & Education (P.E.A.C.E) will provide free mental health resources to Asian American and Pacific Islander youth and their communities in Georgia. P.E.A.C.E. will offer counseling in multiple languages and educational seminars to help AAPI youth prioritize their mental health and to equip families with tools to foster open communication and emotional well-being at home.

The 5th Annual APA & APAF MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K Run, Walk & Roll is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, in Wheaton, Maryland, and remotely in your home community, vacation, and/or work destination. Register for free here.

American Psychiatric Association Foundation

The American Psychiatric Association Foundation is the philanthropic and educational arm of APA. The APA Foundation promotes awareness of mental illnesses and the effectiveness of treatment, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment through a combination of public and professional education, research, research training, grants, and awards.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,900 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.