Blank Foundation grants $8M-plus to mental health awareness, education

The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in Atlanta and around the country, has reached the $8 million mark in grant-giving under its mental health and well-being portfolio this year. That amount is $3 million more than what was committed to mental health and well-being-focussed organizations last year, according to a release from the foundation. The announcement comes at a time when Americans are dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the holidays, according to data provided by the Office of the Surgeon General. Last year the Arthur M. Blank Foundation gave grants to organizations, both big and small, according to Brown. The Carter Center received a half-million-dollar program grant to support its public education around mental health parity. Hopelab, a San Francisco-based social innovation lab focused on designing science-based technologies to improve the health and well-being of teens and young adults, received a $300,000 grant. Up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 use a social media platform, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. A recent survey showed that teenagers spend an average of 3.5 hours a day on social media and when asked about the impact of social media on their body image, nearly 50%...