Health & Mental Well-being
We believe that all people have the right to health and mental well-being and that every person deserves access to affordable and affirming health care.
We co-design and deliver research, programs, and policies that create the conditions for equitable health, well-being, and dignity. We work collaboratively, domestically and globally, to advance the social drivers of health so that individuals and communities can access the health and mental health care they need to prosper and thrive.
We are dedicated to expanding social work’s impact in health care and public health to improve the well-being of marginalized populations both nationally and globally. Through our Social Work Innovation Lab, Global Social Work & Public Health Lab, Powerbuilding & Leadership Lab, and Health Equity Research Lab, we co-design, test, and build the evidence base for research, programs, and policies that expand access to comprehensive health and mental health services across the lifespan—including:
Culturally responsive maternal-child health initiatives in community settings
Dignified, trauma-informed substance use and behavioral health treatment.
We partner with grassroots leaders, co-create programs in global settings, train Title V staff and families of children with special healthcare needs to navigate Medicaid, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to SNAP, WIC, and other safety-net supports. By mobilizing intersectional data, human-centered design, and cross-sector coalitions, we help hold systems accountable and create the conditions in which everyone can live with dignity and safety.
