Over the last year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives, and many people are facing challenges and struggling with anxiety and depression. Navigating the pandemic introduced challenges such as social distancing, remote work/learning, job loss, family conflict, and disruption in social routines, among other challenges. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, during the pandemic 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder from 1 in 10 adults before the pandemic.
Each year, our Community Fund dedicates $500,000 to working on specific issues in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued well into 2021, we focused our contributions on organizations dedicated to improving access and support for mental health in our local area.
We focused on organizations that provide mental illness and behavioral health support to youth and general counseling, to help address a wide range of concerns, including financial difficulties, trouble with sleep, dietary issues, alcohol and drug abuse, grief from loss of loved ones, and other challenges that affect mental health and overall well-being, including isolation and worry and stress over the coronavirus and, more recently, stresses associated with a return to normal with moving out of sheltering-in-place and reacclimating safely to a new social environment.
The contributions to 20 nonprofit organizations aim to help advance the operational capacity of the selected organizations and in turn, promote mental health in our communities. We are grateful for the work of the 2021 Community Fund recipients, and to all who are promoting behavioral health, and supporting efforts for all to achieve wellness, especially as we continue through the pandemic.
See the full list of the 2021 Community Fund organizations to learn more about the great work they’re doing in the San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Adolescent Counseling Services
Almaden Valley Counseling Services
Alum Rock Counseling Center
California Clubhouse
Community Health Awareness Council
Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY)
Discovery Counseling Center
Friends for Youth
Heart and Soul
Kara
Mekong Community Center
Mental Health Association of San Mateo
National Alliance on Mental Illness, San Mateo County
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Santa Clara County
One Life Counseling Center
SafeSpace
School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County
StarVista Crisis Center
Willows in the Wind
Young Minds Advocacy Project
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