Washington, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and APA Foundation (APAF) are announcing the fifth class of MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program grantees. Eight grant recipients are working to support mental health for young people, including

• Mental Health America in Montgomery (Montgomery, Ala.)
• NAMI Alaska, Inc. (Anchorage, Alaska)
• The Hidden Genius Project (Oakland, Calif.)
• 'Ohana Makamae, Inc. (Hāna, Hawaii)
• Habilitative Systems, Inc. (Chicago, Ill.)
• Two Powers Land Collective (Blackfeet Reservation, Browning, Mont.)
• I AM A BETTER ME! INC. (Bronxville, N.Y.)
• Christian Mental Health Initiative (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Each recipient was awarded a grant of up to $10,000 over two years. The grants were funded by the annual APA & APAF MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk & Roll, which launched in 2021. The 5K is part of a series of APA events focused on mental health for young people held in association with Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

“This is a truly outstanding group of grantees, selected from over 300 exceptional applicants, who will be doing vital frontline work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many young people,” said Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A., APA Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director and Chair of the APAF Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to all the APA members, community members, and sponsors who have participated year after year and donated to the MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5Ks to help make it all possible.”

“We know that effective, evidence-based treatments for youth mental health are available,” said Regina S. James, M.D., APA Deputy Medical Director and Vice President of Diversity and Health Equity. “And when these approaches are strengthened through trusted community partnerships, such as those offered by the Moore Equity in Mental Health Community grantees, they can meaningfully expand access, deepen engagement, and help young people and their families achieve healthier, more hopeful outcomes.”

“At a time of great uncertainty, the APA Foundation is proud to support the MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program for the 5th consecutive year,” said APAF Executive Director Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. “Together, with our outstanding grantees, we are building momentum, block by block, to promote mental health literacy, connect underserved individuals and communities to needed care, and to shift attitudes about mental health for children, young adults, and family caregivers.”

The grantees include:

Mental Health America in Montgomery (Montgomery, Ala.) - Mental Health Education for Young People of Color: will deliver four rounds of trauma-informed mental health workshops for students and families at Valiant Cross Academy, building a culture of resilience and emotional wellness. Students will learn practical mental health skills, parents will gain tools to support their children, and the partnership with Mental Health America in Montgomery will foster trust and ongoing support. Outcome data will track engagement, reduced stigma, and improved communication, helping establish a sustainable, culturally responsive model for young men of color.

NAMI Alaska, Inc. (Anchorage, Alaska) - Ending the Silence: will provide evidence-based, trauma-informed support to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and connect American Indian and Alaska Native youth and their families with needed resources, working closely with North Slope Borough residents to address local behavioral health challenges. Ultimately, their goal is to reduce suicide rates and strengthen long-term mental wellness across communities and the state.

The Hidden Genius Project (Oakland, Calif.) - Mindful Genius: Centering Black Male Youth Mental Wellness: will support Black male high school students through monthly wellness workshops that build resilience, self-awareness, and healthy coping skills. By offering safe, culturally affirming spaces, the program addresses stress, grief, and the impacts of racism while reducing stigma and promoting equitable care. Over two years, participants will strengthen their mental health literacy, develop sustainable self-care practices, and build a strong sense of belonging that supports their academic, personal, and leadership growth.

'Ohana Makamae, Inc. (Hāna, Hawaii) - Ho'okahi Lahui One People: will provide individual counseling for youth and kupuna in Hāna to address mental health challenges, substance abuse, and homelessness. Intergenerational workshops will strengthen cultural identity, resilience, and connection across ages. Through skills, mentorship, and healing, participants will help foster a healthier, more connected community for Native Hawaiian youth and elders.

Habilitative Systems, Inc. (Chicago, Ill.) - Gen-Z Mental Health Ambassadors: will train young people of color in Chicago to become peer leaders who promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and connect their peers to vital resources. Over two years, participants will learn coping strategies, create safe spaces for open dialogue, and access supportive services for behavioral health and social needs. The program will strengthen individual well-being while building a pipeline of future leaders in the behavioral health workforce.

Two Powers Land Collective (Blackfeet Reservation, Browning, Mont.) - Healing with Horses: Culturally Grounded Mental Health for Native Youth: will offer culturally grounded, equine-assisted mental health programs for Indigenous youth on the Blackfeet Nation, combining therapeutic riding, horsemanship, and mentorship with traditional cultural teachings. Led by local licensed professionals and elders, the program will strengthen resilience, mental wellness, and cultural identity while helping youth navigate trauma, stress, and substance use challenges. By providing a safe and culturally affirming environment, the Ranch ensures consistent access to high-quality, culturally aligned mental health care.

I AM A BETTER ME! INC. (Bronxville, N.Y.) - Shining the Light: Youth of Color Mental Health Initiative: will provide culturally responsive workshops, a youth-centered conference, and focused suicide-prevention and autism-awareness programming for young people of color across the Bronx and NYC. Through partnerships with SOMOS, the NYC Suicidality Council, and local churches, the program will reduce stigma, strengthen mental health literacy, and connect youth to care through closed-loop referrals and embedded SUD prevention.

Christian Mental Health Initiative (Philadelphia, Pa.) - Faith + Wellness at The Block Church: Equipping Young Adults to Lead Mental Health Response Teams: will train young adults of color and adult leaders at The Block Church in Youth Mental Health First Aid, establishing Mental Health Response Teams to provide real-time support and early intervention. These teams will host 16 youth-led workshops, participate in ongoing skill-building sessions, distribute Faith & Wellness Guides, and help young adults connect with trusted mental health providers. By the end of two years, the church will have a sustainable, faith-rooted model that normalizes mental health conversations, reduces stigma, and empowers young adults to support themselves and their community.

The 6th Annual APA & APAF MOORE Equity in Mental Health 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk & Roll is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, in Washington, D.C., and remotely in your home community, vacation, and/or work destination. Visit psychiatry.org/5K to learn more about how you can get involved.

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 39,200 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.