"We have to get the word out that mental illnesses can be diagnosed and treated, and almost everyone suffering from mental illness can live more normal lives."
– Rosalynn Carter

Under the leadership of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the nation's foremost champion for the rights of people with mental illnesses, the Carter Center's Mental Health Program works to promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses. The program uses the Center's convening power to bring together health leaders and national organizations to discuss important issues facing the mental health care system at the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, while the Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum targets issues at the state level. All program activities are guided by the Center's Mental Health Task Force, formed to identify major issues in the field.

Despite growing knowledge of how to diagnose and treat mental illnesses, myths and misperceptions about these disorders persist, leading to stigma and discrimination toward those who suffer from them. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, founder, and Dr. Thomas H. Bornemann, director of the Carter Center Mental Health Program.

Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

Media coverage that relies on accurate information instead of sensational depictions or stereotypes can improve the public's understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. Recipients of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism from the United States, New Zealand, Romania, and South Africa have produced award-winning books, newspaper articles, and radio and video documentaries covering topics such as mental health care for the homeless, suicide, and aging and mental health.

Primary Care Initiative

In response to increasing evidence that most people with depression and substance abuse disorders do not seek specialized care, the Center's Primary Care Initiative works with national experts to identify concrete action steps and deliverables to improve mental health care access and quality in the primary care setting.

Mental Health Program Liberia

Building upon nearly two decades of Carter Center efforts to foster peace and democracy in Liberia, the Carter Center Mental Health Program in 2010 launched a five-year initiative to help create a sustainable mental health system in Liberia that will address a broad range of mental health conditions. The overarching goal is to improve functioning in people with mental illnesses in the most populous counties of Liberia. The program will assist the Liberia Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to build capacity by: implementing local training capacity for health professionals; collaborating with the government on implementation of the national mental health plan; developing community education for family caregivers of those with mental illnesses; promoting mental health advocacy; and working to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses.  Learn more about the Carter Center's mental health work in Liberia >

Helping Georgia Create Tangible Solutions for Mental Health Care Crisis

Since 2008, The Carter Center has been working with local mental health stakeholders to help bring forward solutions to help the government address Georgia's crumbling public mental health care systems. Learn more about the Carter Center's involvement in Georgia >