About Providence's Well Being Trust
Providence’s Well Being Trust is a foundation dedicated to advancing the mental, social, and spiritual health for all.
With a bold mission, vision and overarching goal, Well Being Trust is investing in approaches that have the potential to model the way forward and advance clinical, community and cultural change…to transform the health of the nation and improve well-being for everyone.
Our Mission
To advance the mental, social, and spiritual health of the nation.
Our Vision
Everyone realizes their fullest potential for well-being.
Our Values
- Loving kindness and compassion
- Dignity and respect
- Radical inclusion and equity of opportunity
- Social justice for all
Our History
When Providence Health & Services and St. Joseph Health came together in 2016 to form Providence St. Joseph Health, the newly formed health system promised to transform the way care is delivered and to address the greatest health needs in its communities. To deliver on this commitment, Providence St. Joseph Health made a $100 million investment, plus an additional $30 million to be invested in California from 2017 to 2019, as an endowment to create the Institute for Mental Health and Wellness, later renamed Well Being Trust, an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
In January 2017, Well Being Trust’s expert advisory panel was established and a staff was hired. They were charged with creating a blueprint for improving mental health care in U.S. communities. Well Being Trust began its work of stakeholder collaboration, researching best-in-class clinical and community practices, informing public policy, and granting funds for various mental health initiatives.
During the first five years, the Well Being Trust team has worked diligently to advance the mental, social and spiritual health of the nation. The great work and efforts to shape vital public policy changes, community and organizational practice changes, and bring new philanthropic investment to fill gaps, will have a lasting impact on the nation.
A Continued Commitment to Improving Mental Health and Well-Being for All
As we near our sixth year of service, we remain steadfast in our commitment to improving mental health and well-being for all. As we build on a solid foundation, we are focusing our efforts and resources on improving the mental health and well-being of Providence communities within our footprint of Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico, Texas and Washington.
Additionally, as we continue to develop optimal mental health and wellness services, including innovative digital solutions, we will create a learning laboratory and share tools and resources with health care systems and communities nationwide while continuing to advance our work with like-minded partners.
Our areas of focus include:
- Easing access to care and to the determinants of well-being.
- Building resilience in children, teens, and families.
- Reducing suffering from depression, anxiety and social isolation.
- Decreasing addiction and substance use, while promoting recovery.
- Eliminating disparities in mental health and substance use access and quality outcomes.
- Creating hope for people and families living with serious mental illness.
- Eliminating stigma everywhere, and growing a culture of well-being to create healthy, resilient communities.
- Improving the mental health and well-being of all health care workers.
Caring for our Community's Mental Health: A Providence Tradition
Tending to and caring for our community’s mental health needs, especially the poor and vulnerable, is a Providence tradition. This is central to our 166-year-old heritage. Our Foundresses, Mother Emilie Gamelin and Mother Joseph, were instrumental in establishing mental health care treatment facilities throughout Quebec and in Vancouver, Washington, respectively, and we remain committed to continuing this work.
Stories of Transformation
Read our Stories of Transformation and the 2021 Well Being Trust Annual Report to learn how we, alongside dozens of partners, are working to transform the health of the nation and improve well-being for everyone.
All In: Transforming the Mental Health and Well-Being of our Nation
Five years ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph and Providence called us to serve the mental health and well-being of the nation—rooted in love, hope, and radical inclusion. We are called by Providence to be open-hearted, steadfast, and to take prudent risks for those who suffer, informed by the signs of the times. Please read this 2021 Annual Report as an invitation to join us and our partners in a next chapter of service to advance the mental, social, and spiritual health for all.
