The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health launched in October 2020 in response to rising concerns about the impact that COVID-19 would have on the mental health and well-being of adolescents of color and LGBTQ+ youth.

In its first year, The Upswing Fund:

• Provided general operating support to direct-service organizations through Surge Capacity grants, and
• Supported project-based work to address systemic barriers that prevent adolescents from accessing care through Systems Enabler grants

Today we’re proud to share the collective impact of 92 Upswing partners and just a few of many bright spots in our 2021 Impact Summary.

As evidenced by this collective impact, we know that, given the resources and trust to do what’s needed in times of crisis, community-based organizations across the country rise to the challenge.

From decreasing wait times to getting creative about when, where, and how services are provided, Upswing partners have shown incredible perseverance towards ensuring that youth feel safe, supported, and have access to care when they need it the most.

And yet, the pandemic continues to upend daily life and the adolescent mental health crisis continues to grow. In response to the alarm sounded by the declaration of a national emergency in October 2021 and December’s Public Advisory released by the U.S. Surgeon General, it’s clear that more resources are needed to support the mental health and well-being of vulnerable populations at the community-level.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a collaborative funder to take action in supporting adolescent mental health and well-being, please contact us at [email protected].