Mission
IMH’s mission is to promote optimal mental health for children and their families in New Orleans.
C o r e V a l u e s
IMH BELIEVES that mental health must be defined broadly and recognizes that the development of optimal mental health (sometimes referred to as social-emotional development) is affected by many factors.
We believe that it is important to build on successes by promoting best practices and innovative approaches that offer promise.
We believe that issues of race and culture affect mental health and the provision of services and should be addressed.
We believe that our grants should support programs that intentionally and specifically address the social-emotional development of low-income and/or underserved children and their families in Orleans Parish.
We believe that early intervention and prevention are the most effective approaches to promoting optimal mental health in children and their families in our community.
We believe that families are fundamental to their children’s social and emotional development and should be supported in their parenting.
According to a study by PEW Research Center, 48% of teens say social media harm people their age, up from 32% in 2022
• Pew Research Center, April 2025, “Teens, Social Media and Mental Health
• Indian journal of psychiatry, 60(4), 384–392. (2018)
Social networking sites provide an online platform for cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is associated with higher levels of depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and attempts for both the victim and the perpetrator.
Between 10% and 40% of adolescents experience cyberbullying and studies suggest that a positive association exists between cyberbullying, deliberate selfharm, and suicidal behavior among victims of such bullying. Cyberbullying is more dangerous than traditional bullying as bullying through the internet increases the risk of suicidal ideation by a factor of 3.12 versus a factor of 2.16 when bullied in person.
Social media advertisements expose adolescents to the substances of abuse including alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana which could lead to potential self-harm and suicide.
Teen Life Counts (TLC) is a free, school-based suicide prevention and education program for middle and high school students in the Greater New Orleans area.
Recognized on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practices Registry, TLC equips students, educators, and mental health professionals with the tools to recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and connect individuals to help.
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10–24. For over 40 years, Jewish Family Service has delivered Teen Life Counts (TLC)—a nationally recognized suicide prevention program listed on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Best Practices Registry—to middle and high school students in public, private, parochial, and charter schools throughout the Greater New Orleans area and surrounding communities.
Crisis and Suicide Intervention
When life seems hopeless or out of control, VIA LINK is here to listen and help.
Crisis Textline was created to support youth who are in emotional distress or just want someone to talk to. Our team is here to listen, help you find information and resources, and provide crisis intervention as needed.
Specialists are not here to judge, give advice, or tell you what to do. We understand that people are the experts in their own lives. The program is primarily meant to serve youth ages 1322 throughout the state of Louisiana. Reach out to us now by texting 833-TXT-TEEN (833-898-8336)
Grant making at IMH is guided by our mission, our core values and by the areas of focus selected by the Foundation. IMH funding is limited, by charter, to Orleans Parish. We do not fund capital projects or individuals. For grant application guidelines, deadlines, and details, please visit www.imhno.org.
IMH Supports efforts to increase the availability of prevention, early intervention, and treatment services in community settings. Such efforts might include the co-location of mental health services with other well-utilized services for children and their families. IMH supports the provision of services in locations that are easily accessible to vulnerable populations. We also support the development of partnerships and collaborations between multiple organizations that serve the same population.
IMH provides Core Support Grants to mental health organizations with a proven record of accomplishment. These grants are intended to provide stable yet flexible dollars to organizations addressing the mental health needs of children and their families. These grants are named the Nancy J. Aronson Core Support Grants in recognition of the 16-year tenure of the first director of IMH and her commitment to supporting the work of nonprofits in the community. Applications are by invitation only.
New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter
Early Childhood Supports for Homeless Families $50,000 ($50,000 per year for two years)
IMH seeks to strengthen and sustain policies, programs, and providers focusing on early childhood and families with children ages birth to six years.
Through this grantmaking effort, IMH funds programs to:
Increase the number of children ready for kindergarten by building their social and behavioral skills;
Increase the social and emotional well-being of children in early childhood programs;
Assist parents and caretakers in parenting their children;
Improve the effectiveness of parents and organizations in advocating for programs and policies that address the social and emotional needs of young children.
In reviewing applicants, we look for the use of evidence-based approaches. IMH will also fund early intervention and treatment programs for young children with mental health issues.
IMH accepts applications for programs providing comprehensive mental health services in public schools. IMH defines comprehensive mental health services as the range of services necessary to address the barriers to learning that many children experience. We are especially interested in efforts that address the barriers that stem from learning and physical health problems. We believe that comprehensive mental health services need to be rooted in a school climate that welcomes and nurtures students and their families. IMH supports the use of prevention programs to build the social and emotional competence of the entire school population.
Year ended December 31, 2023 and 2024
Tap Bui PRESIDENT
Kathleen Zuniga VICE PRESIDENT
Saundra Levy TREASURER
Mark Taliancich SECRETARY
Ronald P. McClain, JD, LCSW- BACS
Executive Director
Ethan Ashley
Allison Boothe Trigg
Caleb Didriksen
Martin Drell
Deena Gerber
Melissa Hodgson
Mia Merrell
Kevin Wilkins
Michael Williamson