We want to help you get to know the impact that nonprofits have on our community, the story behind what they do, and how to get involved. By spotlighting stories from various nonprofits, we aim to inspire volunteers to begin, and continue, making valuable contributions to the community and the people within.

The mission of the Engage and Heal Foundation is to erase the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage conversations that will shatter the silence. Their goal is to help start conversations so that we are more aware of the traits and triggers associated with mental-health issues. Engage and Heal also aims to be an excellent source of mental-health resources, educating and caring for first responders and their families, teachers, parents, seniors, and veterans. One effort to accomplish this is hosting conversations at libraries, churches, and community groups.

We live in a day and age where mental health issues have become more prominent than ever. Individuals across the United States (and the world) have to deal with everyday stressors that eventually take a massive toll on our mental health. Whether it be family, friends, work, self-image, self-esteem, or anything in between; these have proven to be large factors in our everyday mental health. In fact, a study was conducted in 2020 that found that each year, about 1 in 5 Americans suffer from some sort of mental health issues. But that’s why the Engage & Heal foundation was created.

The Engage & Heal Foundation began with the creation of the Erik Hanson Scholarship in 2019. Erik was a highly accomplished 2017 Lake Travis High School graduate. He was a varsity football player, an Eagle Scout, and then was a cadet in the Corps at Texas A&M. The foundation raised over $10,000 in his honor and awarded three $2,000 scholarships to Lake Travis football players who did not receive athletic and academic scholarships. In their second year, they opened the scholarship to all athletes and club members at Lake Travis High School in Texas.

The inception of the Erik Hanson Scholarship matured into a mission to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues by creating a large-scale conversation around mental health, encourage those who are suffering to speak up, and to help those who are in need. Now, the Engage & Heal foundation is committed to serving all of those affected in Central Texas.

To achieve their goal of ‘shattering the silence’, The Engage & Heal foundation uses three key methods:

Education
- Education plays an integral role in the Engage & Heal Foundations mission. They provide easy and intuitive access to an excellent collection of mental-health resources and best practices. Through education, those suffering from mental health issues, their loved ones, or those simply just looking to help others can make a difference in this world.
Caring
- Many people who are suffering from or surrounded by mental health issues feel like they’re alone. But with Engage & Heal, nobody is alone. The foundation aims to care for each and every one of their members to ensure that they are receiving the finest care and education for their first responders and their families, including teachers, parents, seniors, and veterans
Connecting
- Lastly, the Engage & Heal foundation aims to create a vast community of those who are passionate about shattering the silence. The foundation focuses on creating community connections that last and hosting regular conversations at libraries, churches, and community groups.