Albany - The Mental Health Foundation is pleased to announce its 2011 "It's OK to Talk About It" Grant Initiative. Funding is available to individuals and not-for-profit organizations to support projects designed to improve access to mental health related education and services for young adults.

The "It's Okay to Talk About It" grant program was suggested to the foundation by Marylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson. This grant program has been established to support initiatives encouraging young people about dealing with the challenges of mental illness.

The Mental Health Foundation seeks to support innovative programs that address the reduction of stigma, the promotion of public awareness, and education of mental health issues for the target population of young adults. These programs must entail a peer component of young adults who have personally lived with mental illness and can share their condition and stigmatization in a candid and positive manner with peers. The goal is to improve acceptance of and access to mental health services and supports.

The Foundation anticipates awarding several grants for innovative and creative approaches that serve youth. Project awards may range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Full details about the proposals and the application process are available at www.mentalhealthfoundation.net. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2011.
The Mental Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization focused on educational efforts to improve public understanding about mental health and end stigma. The Mental Health Foundation has presented a range of successful events in recent years in its effort to promote better understanding about mental health, including events hosting actor and mental health advocate Joe Pantoliano, Tipper Gore, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.