Philanthropic Action for a Better Mental Health System Giving Smarter Guide

Countless Americans struggle with poor mental health, and our health-care system has proven unequipped to provide the resources and support that people need. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation: In 2020, more than one in three Americans reported symptoms of clinical anxiety and depression. To better understand the pandemic’s impact on mental health, as well as opportunities for philanthropists to make meaningful change in this area, SPARC developed a Giving Smarter Guide. This report, published in September 2020, identifies mechanisms through which philanthropic capital can be leveraged to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Additionally, it provides recommendations to create lasting, sustainable change in mental health care, making it a useful resource well beyond 2020.