Foundation of Hope Invests $6.25 Million in Mental Illness Research Initiatives

Foundation of Hope Announce Historic Investment

The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness (FOH) has made headlines with its remarkable commitment to mental health research. On May 12, 2025, FOH announced a groundbreaking investment totaling $6.25 million designated for enhancing research initiatives focused on mental health, particularly targeting challenges faced by children and adolescents. This investment represents a significant stride in addressing the growing mental health crisis among youth in the United States.

The Campaign for CHAAMP

At the heart of this initiative is the Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Program (CHAAMP), a newly established research program within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. The critical aim of CHAAMP is to bridge the existing gap in mental health research pertaining to children and adolescents, especially in light of the pressing mental health challenges that the nation faces today.

Shelley Belk, the Executive Director of the Foundation of Hope, expressed her pride in this endeavor, stating, "In a time of uncertainty, we are incredibly proud to continue investing in desperately needed seed research projects, and also help create a cutting-edge, CHAAMP program. The scale of our impact reflects the strength of our community, our mission, and our firm belief that research is hope." This sentiment highlights the foundation's unwavering dedication to promoting mental health awareness and advancing research in this critical area.

Significant Grants Awarded

Additionally, as part of their ongoing commitment to fostering mental health research, FOH has allocated over $1.25 million across twelve new research grants to investigators at UNC’s Department of Psychiatry. This represents the most substantial single-year investment in scientific research since the foundation's formation.

Among the awarded researchers are esteemed professionals such as Dr. Adam Miller, Dr. Elizabeth Andersen, and Dr. Zachary Feldman, each bringing invaluable expertise to the initiatives funded. The research topics covered by these grants address urgent areas of need, including suicide prevention, autism, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, and women’s mood disorders. Innovative approaches are being explored, such as mobile brain stimulation and experimental hormone stabilization, all aimed at uncovering new treatment possibilities for mental health issues.

A Legacy of Support

Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation of Hope has gifted over $10.7 million in research funding to date. Furthermore, their efforts have successfully garnered an impressive $272 million in additional support from both public and private sources. This history of commitment not only underscores the foundation's role in advancing mental health research but also showcases the impactful community support behind it.

FOH, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization's mission revolves around funding critical mental health research, raising public awareness about mental health issues, and ultimately changing lives through these efforts.

With initiatives like the Campaign for CHAAMP, FOH is positioning itself as a leader in addressing mental health challenges in youth, providing researchers the resources they need to propose and test innovative solutions. As they move forward, the foundation invites those interested to learn more about their work and consider supporting this vital research through their online platform: www.walkforhope.com.

In conclusion, the Foundation of Hope’s recent funding announcement signifies not only a pivotal moment for mental health research but also an essential step towards offering hope and solutions for those experiencing mental health challenges, especially the younger population. It underscores the necessity of continued investment in mental health research, bringing to light the critical work still needed to address this growing public health issue.