We embrace the once-radical idea of care that expects recovery, and that the world of mental health care must change.
Our mission
We connect the passion of private philanthropy with the world’s top researchers and programs to bring recovery–based care and supports to every community.
The change we seek begins with standing with those who need us, seeing hope where others see despair. It takes daring to speak up when systems fail us. It can thrive only when research is unbiased, dialogue is open and healing is an often-achieved goal. It takes respect, compassion and the sure knowledge that recovery is more than a possibility: It is what we expect.
Why we hold these beliefs
The more you know about how we treat those with mental health challenges, the more dismayed you become. And yet, all around us we see dedicated doctors, counselors and clinicians. We see families who have given their all, community leaders who worry and work. We see a generation striving to do what’s right, to transform their shared sense of concern into effective action that changes the lives of those needing mental health care. We can do so much better, especially now. Together, we can change the way mental health care is delivered.
Hope is in sight. Promising new methods are predicated on the expectation of recovery – by relying less on medication and more on engaging families and communities. Recovery-focused methods – which are becoming mainstream –
- bring hope to individuals and their families.
- give psychiatrists, psychologists and clinicians better tools.
- give people better outcomes.
- address a wide range of society’s challenges, save a great deal of public money and prevent unnecessary human suffering.
It’s important to get the word out, share success stories and tell those who make public policy that there are viable alternatives – pathways to hope and recovery.
Our Vision
We envision a world in which all people have hope, knowledge, tools, a sense of community and access to care to recover from mental health and trauma challenges.
Our Values
- Self-Determination
- Courage
- Respect
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Hope
- Embrace cultural and ethnic diversity and different world views
- Creativity
- Inclusiveness
- Excellence
- Stewardship
These are the values by which we hold ourselves accountable to one another in leadership, to our donors, stakeholders and to the general public and our communities.
We need to act. Excellence has developed a model for action. We identify the most promising researchers and programs, then serve as a financial connection to donors wishing to support them. By matching donors with innovative initiatives, publishing research results and supporting communities of recovery-focused care, we will transform the mainstream in mental health care into one founded on the expectation of recovery.