Mental Health PlaybookThe Archbridge Institute, Human Flourishing Lab
- Geographic Focus: National
- Mission:The Archbridge Institute’s mission is to lift barriers to human flourishing, empowering individuals to achieve better, richer and fuller lives by identifying and removing the barriers that constrain their potential.
- Operating Budget: $1.5 million
- People Served: General public, policymakers, organizational leaders, thought leaders, influencers, educators, other think tanks, mental health professionals, media outlets and journalists, academic researchers.
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: Fostering mental health and human flourishing through research-driven cultural transformation and individual empowerment. Conducting original national survey research and producing comprehensive reports, while translating complex scientific findings on meaning, agency and mental health into accessible, actionable insights for policymakers, leaders and the general public.
Impact Statement
The Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute has published research on mental health and human flourishing, featured in over 60 articles across major outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. These works have also been shared by influential thinkers and journalists such as Steven Pinker and Arthur Brooks.
A conversation with Clay Routledge, vice president of research and director of Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
The Archbridge Institute understands that fostering mental health is complex and multifaceted, necessitating a broad spectrum of approaches and interventions. Our commitment to promoting a sense of life’s meaning is supported by empirical research indicating that individuals with a strong sense of purpose tend to experience greater resilience against stress and adversity. This personal resilience extends into broader societal benefits, as individuals who feel their lives have meaning are more likely to engage in pro-social behaviors, thereby strengthening community bonds and contributing positively to societal well-being.
In addition to promoting individual agency and combating cultural pessimism, we place particular emphasis on education and knowledge dissemination. We develop and distribute resources to help individuals understand the importance of personal responsibility and the role it plays in both personal success and community development. By equipping people with the knowledge and tools needed to pursue meaningful lives, our hope is to inspire a cultural transformation that nurtures optimism and a proactive approach to life’s challenges.
Furthermore, we collaborate with various stakeholders, including policymakers, educators and community leaders, to implement strategies that align with our mission. By advocating for policy changes that prioritize mental health and meaningful engagement, we aim to create environments where individuals can thrive. Our work also includes recognizing and celebrating examples of meaningful living across different domains, offering inspiration and practical models for others to follow.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
As part of our broader goal of lifting barriers to human flourishing, our ultimate goal with the Human Flourishing Lab and our Psychology of Flourishing pillar is to create a society where fewer people develop mental health problems in the first place. And one in which when people do face mental health challenges, they are well positioned to take advantage of their capacity for self-regulation, resilience and growth, using evidence-based strategies to improve their mental health.
We track our impact through various specific metrics depending on goals and our target audience, including academic impact and how our work shapes the media and cultural conversation. To achieve these metrics and goals, we employ a multifaceted strategy that begins with a robust research program guided by Dr. Routledge’s expertise. We partner with leading scholars on specific projects, helping them make their important work on topics relevant to mental health accessible and useful to the general public.
Our strategy also includes public engagement through major media outlets and podcasts, development of educational materials and advocacy for evidence-based mental health approaches that encourage agency-driven outward-oriented action.
The Institute conducts national surveys and publishes reports on public perceptions and key issues like digital flourishing, with the aim of making scientific knowledge on mental health and human flourishing accessible to a broad audience. We also produce literature reviews that are freely available and understandable to non-experts, helping policymakers and others gain evidence-based insights. Our work often appears in major media outlets, and our experts frequently engage in public discussions to advance the conversation on meaning and mental health.
Additionally, we offer educational resources like short videos, webinars with psychologists and publish “Profectus,” a magazine on human flourishing. Dr. Clay Routledge writes a weekly newsletter to further connect research with the public. This comprehensive approach aims to promote individual and societal well-being by empowering people to live fulfilling, innovative and productive lives.
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?
We face challenges in distinguishing ourselves within a crowded think tank market, scaling our efforts and increasing content visibility. To stand out, we focus on differentiating our work as a human flourishing think tank, emphasizing the psychological aspects of human flourishing alongside economics and culture. This unique positioning helps us punch above our weight.
For scaling, we experiment with producing impactful content despite a small team by collaborating with researchers and other organizations, such as Strengthen ND for a report on the science of hope and Discover.ai for an AI-related project. These partnerships extend our reach and impact.
To enhance visibility, we build relationships with scholars, public intellectuals and journalists who share our work, leveraging the influence of figures like Steven Pinker and Jordan Peterson. Our work is featured on broader media platforms like Shondaland and industry publications, increasing audience reach.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
Our organization has two main needs: increased resources for building capabilities and outreach, including research, toolkits and dissemination materials, and more speaking engagements to share our research. Philanthropists can support our mission of removing barriers to human flourishing by focusing on both psychological and economic aspects in our work, supporting other organizations doing similar work and influencing their peers within philanthropy.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
Philanthropists interested in improving mental health should fund academic and think tank efforts that research outward action approaches. This includes community engagement studies and programs that promote volunteerism and purpose, enhancing social connections. Additionally, investing in initiatives that develop skills for serving others can advance mental health understanding and bolster community well-being.
Contact Our Team
Contact the Roundtable’s Programs team to learn more about this investment opportunity.