Lessons Learned from Putting Grantees First
Edward W. Hazen Foundation
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Sharing effective strategies for managing mental health during a pandemic
Overview
The Stability Network is a growing movement of people living and working with mental health conditions. Network members – called Stability Leaders – are open about their struggles and triumphs and the Network shares their stories to encourage people with mental health conditions to thrive. More than 200 Leaders live in 100+ cities in the U.S. and worldwide.
Challenge
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the country are experiencing increased mental health challenges. Given their conditions, most Stability Leaders have dealt with anxiety, fear, and depression for years and are well-positioned to share effective coping strategies. The Network’s leadership felt a sense of urgency to get these strategies out into the world where they could help a broader group of people, but they didn’t know how or where to start.
Work
Minerva Strategies had worked with The Stability Network in the past and we were familiar with the organization and network of Leaders. So, when the organization approached us to support these efforts, we were able to hit the ground running. We connected with Leaders who manage a variety of mental health conditions in diverse work and life situations across the U.S. From a mother of teenage daughters who works at a large corporation in New Jersey to a career coach in his late 20s in the Bay Area, we helped Leaders share the wisdom they’ve gained through managing their mental health in difficult times.
Result
The result of these efforts was a compelling set of first-person blog stories including multimedia content for sharing on The Stability Network’s social media platforms as well as an online panel discussion in which Leaders shared their strategies with a live audience. We provided content for the Network’s website and helped them craft an email message to send to their funders and supporters.
The Stability Network was thrilled with the outcome of our efforts, donors were pleased to hear them speaking out on an important and timely topic, and the Minerva team was energized by such a meaningful project that can support hundreds of people at a critical time.
Working with Minerva Strategies was a dream! The team was quick to understand our needs, capacity constraints, and the value of getting our Leaders’ stories and insights into the world at this critical time. Through their efforts, the voices of our Stability Leaders illuminated a hopeful path for people struggling with mental health challenges during this pandemic.
Megan Silvestri
Program Manager, The Stability Network