Community Event Raises More Than $85,000 for APA Foundation Equity Initiative

APA leaders, staff, and friends and family members—along with corporate donors—were among those who raised $85,084 for the Moore Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program. The initiative, established by APA’s Division of Diversity and Health Equity and supported by the APA Foundation (APAF), was developed to educate and bring awareness to unmet mental health needs of marginalized communities.

Through a partnership with the APAF, this initiative supports individuals and community organizations that have undertaken innovative awareness programs and/or have provided services to improve the mental health of young people of color.

As part of the July 10 event, 26 teams of individuals throughout the United States and four continents who pledged donations were invited to run, walk, or roll 5 km in their own communities. Over 30 APA staff and friends and family members also gathered on the National Mall to run, walk, or roll from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. Corporate sponsors are noted in the box below.

This community event will be hosted annually during Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July. Bebe Moore Campbell was a mental health equity champion and a New York Times bestselling author who worked to raise public awareness of minority mental health needs. Her work was inspired from her personal experiences with a family member.

APA President Vivian B. Pender, M.D., a former New York City marathoner, applauded participants in the event. “During my presidential year, I am focusing on social determinants of mental health—the factors in society and the environment that impact people’s mental health and wellness. For Americans of color, systemic racism and inequality are two of those factors that can put people at a disadvantage. The event this year—and the participation of APA staff—does great credit to the memory of Bebe Moore Campbell.”

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are key to our mission,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., who is also the chair of the APAF Board of Directors. “We are dedicated to these goals throughout APA—staff, Board, and membership—and in the profession of psychiatry as part of our effort to ensure all patients get quality treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders.

“We are grateful to the individuals and corporate sponsors for donating to the Moore Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program and for their participation in this year’s event.” ■