The Need
The current problems facing society caused by unchecked mental health issues have reached catastrophic levels with as many as 1 in 4 Americans suffering a mental illness each year. If we continue without compassionate, transparent and effective action the end game is unimaginable.
The burden on our national infrastructure is in the billions of dollars and increasing beyond the rates of available care. This financial strain combined with the emotional, social and community tension felt in every neighborhood, business, school and family across our country, paints a truly dire picture. The time for creative thought and new action to address this Invisible Crisis is now.
The big three mental health issues: depression, bipolar and anxiety are the focus of The Depression Project (TDP). TDP is taking a stand for mental wellness by providing the community leadership made up of a full spectrum of solutions to begin the reduction of the percentage of those suffering from depression.
Target Market
Depression impacts every corner of our community and has no boundaries in terms of economic status, gender, race or religion. TDP intends to make programs accessible to anyone in need. Our goal is to expand our community to include 100,000 participants in a three year period. We anticipate that this community will include health care professionals, alternative health care providers, families and individuals impacted directly by depression as well as representation from all sectors of the community including education, business, non-profit, the arts and government.
More than 50 categories of health care providers have been identified and approached to participate in the project already and we are experiencing a high degree of desire to contribute from people across the community.
Goals
1) Reduce the negative economic, social and emotional impact felt by people throughout the community. We will measure our success through impact surveys to explore improvements in the well being of our participants and the people they touch.
2) One Hundred Thousand community members within three years.
3) Twenty-Five Change Your Mind Community Talks each year.
4) Four New Circle of Magnificence Groups launched each year.
5) One Wisdom Council Conference each year (Fall).
6) Five Creative Products/Projects identified and implemented.
7) Austin, Texas will create a model for the nation/world on how to solve the problems of depression within a community.
The Budget
Annual Budget: $225,000 Per Year (per city)
$125,000 in salaries and operating expenses per year
$100,000 for projects as follows:
$36,000 TDP HUB Mission Control: Causes and Cures Research, Site Continuity & Internet Presence
$24,000 Change Your Mind Community Outreach Campaign – Speaker/facilitator fees, travel expenses, audience materials. (Based on 26
speaking engagements)
$10,000 Circle of Magnificence: COM Materials, facilitator and coaching support fees to help new groups start and become established. Central project center for COM groups to continue to grow and evolve and learn from one another (Based on 4 new groups).
$20,000 One Wisdom Councils project management, leadership and facilitation for a two day problem solving event for 50 participants.
$10,000 Access Through Art: Funding for the launch of a Community Plan Program for high schools to direct and produce a play to educate people about the myths, facts, causes and cures of depression.
