Status Update — The Foundation will be discontinued during 2023. In its replacement, its main financial supporters have created the Natalia Donor Advised Fund to continue working towards the achievement of the Foundation´s objectives. The final issue of the Natalia Mental Health Foundation´s Newsletter provides an update on the status as of June 2023 of the four projects that the Foundation has supported. It also specifies the projects that the Natalia DAF will continue funding from 2024 (see Newsletter Archive Tab in this website). Although the Foundation will not be active anymore, we are keeping the website active for the record and for reference.

Our Beginning

The Natalia Mental Health Foundation (formerly the Myrtlewood Foundation) was established to increase private financing to address schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.  In 2015, the Foundation's founder made his first grants to support the work of scientific researchers investigating the underlying genetic bases for the conditions.  The Foundation continues to fund research and, in 2016, awarded its first grants of support for individuals at innovative facilities that integrate living accommodations, therapies, and work programs. The Foundation aims to expand research grants and provide support grants for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment programs for the mentally ill.  These employment efforts are focused in the United States, with plans to replicate them in Latin America later on.  The Foundation is also working on the structuring of private-public partnerships (namely, Social Impact Bonds, also called Pay for Success Financings) to help finance IPS employment programs as well as early intervention in psychosis programs .

The Natalia Mental Health Foundation works on the development of innovative financing techniques and actively supports ongoing research efforts at major universities and awards support grants to individuals to participate in programs that provide integrated services and employment support for those living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Our Mission

Individuals living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder face enormous challenges, and require treatment programs that can be costly and are often unavailable.  Some organizations and governments provide services, but few are coordinated to address the living, employment, and medical needs of this too-often neglected segment of the world's population.  Our mission is to increase the amount of private financing for basic research, disease management, and improvement of living conditions.  Our goal is to develop a worldwide source of private funds for support and research grants to address these devastating mental illnesses.