Looking for a last minute gift? I previously wrote a list of the 10 best mental health-related gifts for someone with bipolar disorder. You may have one of these headed your way through Amazon or another source right now. But if you’re stuck with just a few days, you might consider giving to a mental health charity in the recipient’s name. The question is which mental health charities are the best? Here, I provide you with some of the best mental health charities that are highly ranked by independent third parties and that I think are doing good work.
Top rated mental health charities to support this festive season
I know there are many deserving charities out there, and there are also many mental health charities, so it can be difficult to choose where to donate. Here are some of the best mental health charities when you want to help people with serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder.
(Click on the charity name below to go to their website to give. Click on the Charity Navigator or Charity Watch link to learn more about why each is one of the best mental health charities.)
- The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation — This charity has been rated 100% from Charity Navigator and one A from Charity Watchnoting that 84% of the money they receive goes directly to their programs (and not in general). I like them because they focus on alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that they hope will lead to advances and innovations in scientific research. Mental illness is underrepresented in the research landscape.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — This charity has been rated 100% from Charity Navigator and one A from Charity Watchnoting that 80% of the money they receive goes directly to programs. They are the best mental health charity because they fund scientific research, educate the public about mental health and suicide prevention, support public policies on mental health and suicide prevention, and support suicide loss survivors and those affected by suicide. If you have been touched by suicide, you understand its devastation and know why this work is so important.
- The Trevor Project — This top mental health charity is rated 100% from Charity Navigator (not rated by Charity Watch) and works to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and questioning young people. These young people are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide from their peers and need all the help they can get.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) National — This hugely popular mental health charity scores 98% from Charity Navigator and one A from Charity Watch, noting that 87% of the money they receive goes to programs. The stated mission of this organization is to improve the lives of individuals and their families living with serious mental illness. This mental health charity is the best because it runs programs and support groups across the US and supports not only people with mental illness but also their loved ones (people who are often overlooked).
- Mental Health America — This mental health charity has been rated 100% from Charity Navigator and one A from Charity Watchnoting that 80% of the money raised goes directly to programs. This top mental health charity is dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health for all.
How to choose a mental health charity
For me, a mental health related charity is best when it focuses on the mental disease more than mental health. Everyone has mental health, but only a minority have mental illness and we are the group that is underrepresented in research and funding. If you are making a donation in the name of someone with a mental illness, this is something to keep in mind.
Of course, it’s also very important that a mental health charity actually uses its funds for programs more than it sounds (and believe me, not everyone does). That’s why third-party ratings like those on Charity Watch and Charity Navigator are so important. So if you’re looking to give to a different charity, say something at the State level, I recommend checking through these sources to see the rating given to your chosen charity.
Additional mental health charities to consider
Of course, the above are just five major mental health charities. there are many others. To learn more, check out these lists:
In short, think about the situation of the person you’re giving the gift to, make sure the focus of the charity fits, and make sure the charity is as useful as possible to the people they want to help by checking their ratings.
And from me, thank you for giving to a cause near and dear to my heart. I hope eventually, we will see a day where bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses are manageable for everyone.
