Purpose
The Foundation focuses on improving access to high-quality, effective mental health services by helping to move the most promising advances in research to policy and practice. 

Strategies
The Foundation does not support direct services.  It provides funding for applied research and policy analysis; for the development of new, more effective service delivery models; and for communications and advocacy activities.  Current efforts include support for interdisciplinary research networks on Mental Health Policy Research, Mandated Community Treatment and Youth Mental Health Services, and an Initiative on Depression and Primary Care.

The Foundation also supports a small number of complementary grants for work to ensure that research findings reach policymakers.

Funding
In general, the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for work relating to mental health policy. Projects are identified through staff deliberations resulting from consultations with mental health researchers and others in the field.

Questions about this grantmaking area can be e-mailed to mental health at the MacArthur Foundation.