A new grant program will support therapy for 30 Marin families dealing with mental health issues for youths 11 to 18 years old.<\/p>\n
Marin Charitable, a nonprofit organization in Greenbrae, said it awarded the $25,000 to the Community Institute for Psychotherapy in San Rafael in response to the growing needs of local youths.<\/p>\n
Marin Charitable said the grant is the largest gift in its 65-year history. It comes from a\u00a0new fund established by a bequest from John Wilhelm, a Tiburon philanthropist and entrepreneur who died in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful for the opportunity to honor John Wilhelm\u2019s legacy through a partnership that will change lives for years to come,\u201d said Sherene Chen, president of Marin Charitable.<\/p>\n
Robin Joy Berenson, the executive and clinical director of the Community Institute for Psychotherapy, and its staff and board were \u00a0\u201cdeeply honored\u201d to receive the first Wilhelm grant.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarin Charitable\u2019s investment recognizes something we see every day: When families receive support together, youth have a stronger foundation for healing, resilience and growth,\u201d Berenson said.<\/p>\n
Each of the families selected to benefit from the grant is expected to receive an average of 18 therapy sessions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis gift is both a tribute to John Wilhelm\u2019s quiet, thoughtful generosity and a powerful investment in the well-being of Marin families,\u201d said John Dillon Riley, a board member for the Community Institute for Psychotherapy. \u201cWe hope it will inspire others to join us in expanding access to care for families who need support now.\u201d<\/p>\n
According the center, the youths need more psychological support. It cited a 2024 youth-led survey from AIM Youth Mental Health in which nearly 90% of local teens reported anxiety among their peers. In addition, more than 86% of the respondents reported high stress or burnout, and more than 70% identified depression or low self-esteem as major concerns.<\/p>\n