Mental Health (Philanthropy)

Mental Health

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The mental health crisis in the US and globally continues to be driven by a multitude of factors. Increasingly, funders are pushed to fund short-term solutions as a response to immediate need. However, long-term, sustainable solutions are needed to ensure that more people can access meaningful care.

Mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, substance abuse, and increased suicidality, as well as serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Targeted, holistic funding approaches for each—that are distinct from other forms of brain illness philanthropy—are needed to improve mental health for all.

Milken Institute Philanthropy’s SPARC has brought together a philanthropic community and led recommendations for investing in transformative research to better understand, treat, and cure mental health conditions; increase access to preventative resources and care; develop effective interventions; and build capacity and diversity within the mental health ecosystem. 

Level
Practice Area
Pillars
Mental Health (Philanthropy)
Team
Mental Health (Philanthropy)
Children type
Programs
Featured panel
Digital Media and Youth Mental Health
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Cara Altimus

Managing Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Cara Altimus, PhD is a managing director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute, leading the science and health innovation portfolio. A PhD neuroscientist, Altimus advises individual philanthropists and foundations on the state of research for various areas including neurodegenerative disease and mental health, identifying opportunities where their capital can make the biggest impact.
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Glorimar Aragon

Associate Director, Environmental and Social Innovation, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Glorimar Aragon is an associate director with Milken Institute Philanthropy. In her role, she focuses on social impact philanthropy, designing and operating innovation competitions, and advising on philanthropic strategies. Working on a range of issue areas from green energy technology to economic mobility, Aragon uses an equity lens to inform her work.
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Kelsey Barcomb

Senior Associate, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Kelsey Barcomb, PhD, is a program manager for BD² and a senior associate of Milken Institute Philanthropy. Barcomb received her doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and completed postdoctoral training in the field of neuroscience. She uses her background in biomedical research and project management to oversee grants management and community building within BD².
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Erin Ross

Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Erin Ross is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. She applies her expertise in health systems, analyzing scientific evidence's role in health policy implementation and identifying ways the scientific and policy communities can collaborate.
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Sylvie Raver

Senior Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Sylvie Raver is a senior director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at Milken Institute Philanthropy. Raver applies her expertise in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, mental health, and biomedical research to identify opportunities for philanthropic investments that can have a transformative impact on medical research and health.
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Emily Baxi

Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Emily Baxi, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. A neuroscientist and educator, Baxi works with the pillar's SPARC team to advise foundations and philanthropists on the state of research so they are empowered to make impactful giving decisions. Aligning the needs of the research field with the passion and commitment of the philanthropist, she identifies opportunities to meaningfully advance biomedical research.
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Daniel Pham

Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Daniel Pham, PhD, is a director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute He utilizes his expertise in scientific research, neuroscience, science policy, communication, and advocacy to advise philanthropic partners on opportunities to make the biggest impact in various fields of science and health.
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Veronica Beck

Associate Director, SPARC, Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy
Veronica Beck is a associate director on the Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC) team at the Milken Institute. She uses her expertise to identify and implement innovative biomedical research ideas, partnering with philanthropists and key field leaders to ensure promising research projects receive the necessary support to become impactful therapies.
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