What first comes to mind when you think of good health? A balanced diet? Regular exercise? Those things are certainly important, but a person cannot obtain good health without also taking care of their mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, people often neglect their own mental health because of the stigma and internalized shame associated with mental illness. The irony is that mental illness is more common than you might assume.
According to the CDC, mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. One in five Americans experience mental illness in a given year, yet many avoid seeking treatment. This can lead to dire consequences. What can we do as an art community to help lift the stigma and encourage people to get help when they need it? Make more art! With Threadless Causes, your designs can help fundraise for charities doing critical work around the world. Our Mental Health Awareness Cause supports organizations that deliver education and services to communities in need.
Refer to our Help Page to find out how you can donate a portion of your earnings from the sale of any design you select from your Artist Shop. Threadless is matching collective donations up to $100,000 for this Cause. Read on to learn about all of the Mental Health Awareness charities you can support today.
Anxiety and Depression Association Of America (NEW!)
Since 1980, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has been improving the quality of life for those with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders. Its evidence-based programs help people find the latest treatments and resources they need. With more than 1,500 professional mental health members, ADAA aims to one day prevent and cure these disorders.
StrongMinds (NEW!)
Founded in 2013, StrongMinds helps change the lives of impoverished women in Africa using group talk therapy for depression. With the help of community health workers, the organization treats depression at scale and enables women and their families to lead healthier, more satisfying lives. StrongMinds has treated more than 80,000 women with depression in Uganda and Zambia.
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NEW!)
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation alleviates the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants leading to advances in scientific research. Since starting in 1987, the foundation has awarded more than $418 million in grant money to fund more than 6,000 grants. These grants have gone to more than 5,000 scientists at more than 560 institutions around the world.
Mental Health America (NEW!)
Founded in 1909, Mental Health America (MHA) promotes mental health as a critical part of wellness. The community-based nonprofit addresses the needs of those living with mental illness through advocacy, education, research, and services. MHA also collaborates with a wide audience of affiliates and supporters to advance public policy recommendations.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants nonprofit led by trans people. It offers direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. The organization’s mission is to connect trans people to the community support and resources they need to survive and thrive.
Hope for the Day
Hope for the Day (HFTD) empowers the conversation on proactive suicide prevention and mental health education. The nonprofit movement aims to create an environment where people actively address their mental wellbeing before reaching a point of crisis. HFTD wants to prevent the crisis altogether, and dispel the stigma around mental illness.
Do you support the mission of any of these organizations? Join us in fundraising for Mental Health Awareness! If you choose to participate, you’ll increase your chances of Threadless promoting your Causes-related designs on social media, in our email newsletters, and maybe even in the Threadless Blog. Use your art to raise money for movements that are important to you!
Keep in mind, we’re always adding new Threadless Causes and charities so we can all help impact even more lives around the world. If you have a suggestion for a Cause or charity you would like to see, please tell us here.