Mental Health PlaybookTreatment Advocacy Center
- Geographic Focus: National
- Mission: Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) is dedicated to preventing the suffering and harm caused by the lack of treatment for Severe Mental Illness. TAC strives to ensure that everyone affected by SMI has the opportunity to live safely and to their fullest potential.
- Operating Budget: $3,324,693
- People Served: Individuals with SMI and their loved ones; key policy stakeholders including judges, legislators and public servants.
- Focus Areas and Core Competencies: Mental health and homelessness
Impact Statement
TAC’s advocacy efforts have improved mental health treatment access for thousands of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) nationwide while raising awareness about the critical intersection between mental health and homelessness.
A Conversation with Kelly Russo, director of development for the Treatment Advocacy Center
Q: What is the mission of your organization? What specific areas related to mental health challenges are you working to solve?
TAC’s mission is deeply rooted in the prevention of suffering caused by untreated severe mental illness. Our efforts are aimed at ensuring individuals not only live out of harm’s way but also realize their full potential in society. To address the pervasive gaps in mental health care that often precipitate homelessness, our approach involves robust advocacy, strategic policy reform and comprehensive education initiatives. We strive to dismantle barriers that hinder access to essential mental health services for those grappling with SMI, ensuring a safer, inclusive environment where necessary support systems are within reach.
Q: How do you describe the big goals your organization is working to achieve? How do you measure impact?
Our overarching goal is to significantly enhance the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment for SMI, especially as it intertwines with issues like homelessness. By ambitiously targeting a reduction in the statistic showing that 33% of the homeless population is burdened with SMI, our efforts center on vehement advocacy for expanded access to psychiatric treatment.
Currently, the United States government does not conduct its own psychiatric bed study and relies heavily on TAC’s investigative reports to understand the state of psychiatric hospital beds across the country. TAC’s most recent bed study “Prevention Over Punishment: Finding the Right Balance of Civil and Forensic State Psychiatric Hospital Beds” analyzed state data, assessed bed needs and highlighted the consequences of a chronic and widespread national psychiatric bed shortage. Historically and in aggregate, TAC reports have played a pivotal role in shaping mental health policy and advocacy at the national level.
We define and measure our impact by our success in raising public awareness, driving the adoption of impactful policy changes, engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders and ultimately reducing homelessness through the improved provision of mental health resources.
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?
One of the major hurdles we face is the prevalent lack of awareness regarding SMI, which is often shrouded in stigma and misconception. We have made significant strides in counteracting this through proactive public dialogue, supported by educational and data-driven insights such as our pivotal bed report. Another enduring challenge is the widespread misconception that all mental health disorders are alike. Our concentrated focus on SMI has enabled us to develop specialized, impactful solutions, including advocating for an increased number of psychiatric beds and the implementation of assisted outpatient treatment programs, thereby tailoring our intervention to the unique needs of those affected by SMI.
Q: What are the organization’s biggest needs? How can philanthropists help your organization achieve its goals?
TAC has an urgent need for financial resources to amplify our efforts toward combating the intricate relationship between homelessness and SMI. Philanthropists can play a crucial role by channeling funds into policy reform initiatives that guarantee individuals with SMI receive the crucial treatment and housing support they require. Such support is vital in bridging the gap between the existing state of mental health services and the comprehensive care these individuals deserve.
Q: Beyond the organization, where should philanthropists who care about advancing knowledge related to improving mental health invest their charitable dollars?
Beyond supporting TAC, philanthropists should consider investing in grassroots organizations that are directly engaged in providing essential services such as crisis intervention and housing support. These community-based efforts are instrumental in complementing systemic advocacy by offering a nimble and localized approach to mental health care. Such investments bolster a dual strategy—addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term systemic changes—that is critical in creating a well-rounded, responsive mental health care ecosystem.
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