Washington, DC (Jan. 29, 2026) - The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) has received a $550,000 grant award from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation that will be used to expand outreach, education, and services for New Yorkers living with serious mental illness (SMI) and those caring for them. Individuals with SMI represent over 80% of the population cared for by the New York Office of Mental Health. Although many people can learn to function with SMI, its high likelihood of comorbidities paired with systemic barriers to accessing care often prevents it from being treated – especially in high-demand areas like the Bronx.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF), one of the largest charitable foundations in the United States, funds programs and initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and underserved New Yorkers. Named after the first American-born saint, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, whose life was dedicated to serving the poor and marginalized, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded over $800 million in grants since its inception in 2018.
The APA Foundation has created an SMI Resource Center available to any community clinic throughout the Bronx with written resources on caring for people with SMI. The resource center will work in tandem with the Foundation’s existing faith outreach and fellowships program to provide culturally competent care. Nine of the APA Foundation’s resident-trainee fellows will be embedded in NYC-based clinics and trained in bilingual outreach through religious congregations and community centers. In addition, 150 congregants will be trained in APAF’s Notice. Talk. Act.® for Faith Communities, an adaptation of the Foundation’s signature Notice. Talk. Act.® framework. The focus on faith communities is especially powerful in a healthcare system that faces limits in both capacity and funding, where struggling individuals often turn to their faith community for aid and comfort before – or instead of – turning to a mental health clinician.
“We are honored and humbled to receive the gift of trust from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. This new grant makes it possible for us to bring life-affirming and life-saving support to New Yorkers with serious mental illness and their family caregivers,” said Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., the Executive Director of the APA Foundation. “Now more than ever, we must step up to meet our neighbors in need with the culturally appropriate tools, tips, and resources as a beacon of help, healing, and hope in New York.”
The APA’s New York State and District Branches membership of over 4,400 psychiatrists will support the Foundation in establishing and maintaining its SMI Resource Center. Existing APA Foundation partners in inner-city New York will also fortify the work. The three-pronged model (bilingual outreach, faith community integration, and resident engagement) emerging from this grant can be replicated at scale across the United States. Learn more about the APA Foundation’s work at apaf.org.
American Psychiatric Association Foundation
The American Psychiatric Association Foundation is the philanthropic and educational arm of APA. The APA Foundation promotes awareness of mental illnesses and the effectiveness of treatment, the importance of early intervention, access to care, and the need for high-quality services and treatment through a combination of public and professional education, research, research training, grants, and awards.
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State, including many that reflect a variety of religions and faiths. The grantees provide either direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit cabrinihealth.org.