Dear Friends of AIM,

I founded AIM for Mental Health in 2014 with two clear objectives: First, to fund clinical research to find better treatments and cures for youth struggling with their mental health.  Second, to raise awareness of the epidemic in mental health challenges among the youth of today.

To address the first goal, AIM is funding promising research which you can read about on our Research page.  We have also engaged a diverse group of the most distinguished and progressive research doctors in the global pediatric mental health community to be on our Scientific Advisory Board. They not only strategize the most effective ways for us to fund cutting-edge research, but also develop models for training clinicians to deliver the best evidence-based treatments to the front lines where children are being treated. Several doctors have told me that there is a tremendous gap between what we know from the mental health research being done and what we do in the real world with that research. AIM is dedicated to closing this gap, and, based on the positive results that our research is achieving, AIM is already making a difference and helping children in need today.

To address our second goal of raising awareness, we have initiated several promising initiatives.  I am particularly proud of our awareness program in Monterey County schools. AIM’s school campaign provides a positive platform for youth to talk about mental health without stigma. We have also held a number of community-based awareness events, both at the local level in Monterey and elsewhere in California. As AIM grows, we will be expanding our awareness programs even further.  With over 25% of our youth struggling in some way with their mental health, we aim to put the entire nation on notice of the dire nature of the epidemic our children are facing.

Chances are that you have never been asked to donate to help find cures and raise awareness for ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, or other mental disorders afflicting our youth. Now I am asking.

I remain a dedicated volunteer to the cause of youth mental health, but I can’t do it without your support. No less than Martin Luther King III, the son of MLK Jr, recently called the campaign for mental health “the civil rights movement of today.” Please consider joining me in AIM’s campaign on behalf of our nation’s youth.

Gratefully yours,

Susan Stilwell