MARCH 2022 - We join with our colleagues in applauding President Biden’s plan to address the Nation’s mental health crisis and reflect on the tireless efforts of the Sozosei Foundation’s grantees and the numerous others who helped bring this plan to life. Against that backdrop, today we are pleased to share this video recap of the Foundation’s 2nd Summit to Decriminalize Mental Illness where many elements of the White House’s plan were discussed.
Grant Makers In Health, View from the Field: November 16, 2021 - The aim of 988 is to remove cost and logistical barriers for individuals accessing urgent support, decriminalize mental health and substance use issues, and provide a clear entry point to care for those in crisis. While it is only the first of many steps needed to achieve a better mental health care system, well-resourced implementation of a 988 crisis call line at the state and local levels can jumpstart the creation of a robust and equitable crisis response system.
Philanthropy New York: November 1, 2021 – The Sozosei Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Otsuka, has reached an important milestone in its grant-giving program to decriminalize mental illness. In 2021, the Foundation awarded $4 million in grants to 29 nonprofit organizations working to eliminate the inappropriate use of jails and prisons for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
The Foundation recently kicked off a series of Global Solution Labs to surface more knowledge and perspectives about how to create a future where mental illness is not treated as a crime. Over 50 multidisciplinary “Solutionists” gathered on May 7, 2021, to take on the ambitious task of identifying the top solutions to move the needle on the decriminalization of mental illness.
In the spirit of collaboration, we recently hosted a Virtual Book Club featuring authors and renowned psychiatrist Dr. James Knoll and renowned psychologist Dr. Joel Dvoskin. Led by Sozosei Board Member, Mary Chi Michael, Dr. Knoll and Dr. Dvoskin discussed their contribution to the recently released book, “Decriminalizing Mental Illness” with more than 100 attendees.