Mental Health PlaybookREBOOT Recovery
- Geographic Focus: National and international
- Mission: REBOOT Recovery helps people overcome trauma so they can embrace a brighter future.
- Operating Budget: $2.5 million
- People Served: Vulnerable populations, veterans, first responders, incarcerated individuals, churches
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: The main focus area is trauma healing and suicide prevention through peer-led, faith-based programs. Core competency focuses on mobilizing communities to provide long-term support and recovery for individuals impacted by trauma.
Impact Statement
REBOOT is leading the largest peer-led response to trauma and suicide ever created, with over 425 program locations, 1,800 dedicated volunteers and more than 30,000 lives transformed through their programs.
A conversation with Evan Owens, executive director of REBOOT Recovery
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
REBOOT Recovery is at the forefront of addressing trauma and suicide through faith-based, peer-led programs. Our mission is to bridge the gap in mental health care by providing scalable, accessible solutions for trauma recovery, particularly for veterans, first responders and those in rural communities where mental health services are scarce.
We operate structured, 12-week peer-led groups that adhere to a specific curriculum focused on overcoming guilt, healing from trauma and understanding mental health challenges. Programs are free, with meals and child care provided, to ensure participation is barrier-free. Our initiative is recognized by leading organizations like The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a future-focused approach in behavioral health.
Our programs address trauma healing and suicide prevention, help navigate the emotional challenge post-trauma by restoring relationships and bring mental health support to underserved areas by combating isolation and stigma.
REBOOT has programs in 48 states and 15 countries, reaching over 30,000 participants. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our offerings to teens and their parents by 2025.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
Our mission is to transform the way mental health, trauma and suicide prevention are addressed. Our bold vision aims to create the largest peer-led, community-based response to trauma. By empowering communities, we provide scalable and personal support to reach more individuals, reduce suffering and save lives.
In terms of our goals, we aim to expand our trauma healing programs to 1,500 peer-led groups globally by 2025, including in underserved regions like Ukraine and Israel. This model empowers local leaders and survivors, creating resilient micro-communities to combat rising suicide rates and address PTSD and moral injury. Another goal is to establish REBOOT programs in over 50 countries by 2030.
We foster trauma-informed leaders who initiate a ripple effect of healing, particularly in areas affected by conflict and instability. We also recognize the link between trauma and spirituality, so we partner with churches to provide mental health support. We’ve collaborated with 285 churches and aim to equip 500 more in five years, fostering environments where faith and mental health coexist.
Since 2016, REBOOT has collected data to evaluate our programs’ effectiveness. Our measurement strategy includes pre- and post-assessments focusing on mental health, sleep, social health and overall quality of life. Using National Institutes of Health (NIH) tools, participants show significant improvements in anxiety, depression and social isolation linked to suicidality.
We measure success by our program’s reach and growth, focusing on high-risk populations. Our retention rate is 82%, with 41% of graduates volunteering and 14% becoming course leaders, demonstrating the power of our peer-leadership model to create lasting community impact.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges the organization has experienced in working to accomplish its mission? How did your organization overcome those challenges?
REBOOT Recovery has navigated significant challenges to reshape mental health support.
Challenge one is perceived risk of peer-support. Traditionally, emotional distress was managed by clinical professionals, leaving peers feeling powerless. Initially, REBOOT’s peer-led approach was seen as risky. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted alternative support needs, proving our model’s effectiveness. Despite skepticism, the response has been positive, fueling our growth and creating challenges typical of scaling a nonprofit.
Challenge two is mission creep. While aiming to remain a trauma recovery expert, REBOOT faces pressure to expand its focus. We balance new program requests with the need to avoid overextension, keeping our mission clear and adaptable through our “Trauma REBOOT” program.
Challenge three is cutting through the noise. Raising awareness about peer-led support remains difficult. Our multifaceted outreach strategy includes social media campaigns, partnerships and our book, “Healing What’s Hidden.” These efforts have increased our following and strengthened our advocacy network.
Through perseverance, innovation and community-driven solutions, REBOOT Recovery advances its mission for effective mental health and trauma support.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
REBOOT Recovery is confronted with the significant challenge of expanding its reach to accommodate the increasing demand for its trauma healing programs. Currently receiving approximately 250 requests monthly to initiate new peer-led groups, the organization finds its resources critically stretched, even amid a 15% increase in donor support over the past two years.
The current $2.5 million annual budget is inadequate to effectively equip and train all aspiring leaders. Looking ahead to 2030, REBOOT aims to establish more than 1,500 locations, a goal requiring a $9 million investment. To achieve this, comprehensive training, materials and ongoing support for new group leaders are crucial funding needs.
Philanthropists have several opportunities to provide crucial support. Capacity building is essential to scale staffing, infrastructure and technology in response to demand. Investment in infrastructure is particularly vital in underserved areas where mental health resources are sparse, as funding for staffing and technological systems is necessary. Strategic introductions can also play a critical role. By linking REBOOT with nonprofits that are already funded, there is potential to integrate trauma-informed care into a broader range of programs, thereby benefiting a wider network.
By collaborating with REBOOT Recovery, philanthropists can make a substantial difference in the lives of trauma survivors. Through a proven, peer-led model, they can foster healing and hope. Together, there is the potential to expand the mission and extend life-changing support to those most in need.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
Philanthropists interested in advancing mental health knowledge should focus their investments in these key areas: peer-led mental health support programs, trauma-informed care and education, workforce development in mental health, Appalachian community development, integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment (and) faith-based interventions.
By strategically investing in these areas, philanthropists can foster systemic, long-term change in the mental health field, improve access to care and reduce the global burden of mental illness.
Contact Our Team
Contact the Roundtable’s Programs team to learn more about this investment opportunity.