Joe Burrow Foundation Donates to Mental Health Resources in Southern Ohio
Joe Burrow is making a big difference for mental health services in southeast Ohio. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, through his Joe Burrow Foundation, recently donated $500,000 to Athens County Mental Health and Wellness. This generous gift will significantly expand access to mental health resources in a region that is underserved and lacking in critical services.
The donation from the Joe Burrow Foundation will allow Athens County Mental Health and Wellness to hire two additional mental health specialists. With these extra staff members, the organization will be able to reduce wait times for services as well as take on more clients in need. Considering southeast Ohio has higher rates of poverty and food insecurity compared to other parts of the state, yet fewer mental health professionals per capita, this increase in personnel could not have come at a more urgent time.
Joe Burrow was born and raised in Athens County, so this cause is personal for him. Growing up in the area, he witnessed firsthand how many friends and community members struggled with mental illness and addiction issues without access to sufficient treatment options. His foundation aims to elevate mental health as an important priority in a part of Ohio that is close to Burrow’s heart. The quarterback said, “This donation hopefully can help people who are struggling in my hometown receive the care they deserve.”
The impact of Burrow’s donation truly cannot be overstated for Athens County residents in need. The stigma remains strong surrounding mental illness, making many afraid to come forward to ask for help. With more accessible treatment made possible by caring community members like Joe Burrow, the tide can start to turn. Burrow’s regional fame as an NFL star also helps shine a powerful spotlight on the urgent need to expand mental health services in areas like southeastern Ohio. After all, taking care of emotional and psychological wellbeing is just as essential for communities to thrive as physical health. Thanks to Burrow’s big heart, his hometown is on its way.
At Standing Up to Stigma we are huge Bengals fans and love Joe’s investment into our community. Thank you Joe, and Go Bengals!
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