The Making Minds Matter fund at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and UPMC Western Behavioral Health began in 2019.
A donor who wanted to support patient experiences and staff education made a generous gift. Since then, the fund has taken hold.
Making Minds Matter now has many campaigns to raise funds in support of patients and staff.
Thanks to the success of these efforts, the UPMC Western Behavioral Health Foundation was established in 2023 to increase awareness of mental health initiatives, reduce the stigma associated with mental health, solicit donations to improve the patient experience, educate the public and providers, and help advance public policy.
Making Minds Matter is a United Way agency. To donate, use contributor code 18208819 - UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital/Making Minds Matter Fund.
Visit the United Way website to learn more about directing gifts.
As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, UPMC Western Behavioral Health Foundation gratefully accepts donations from families, friends, and community partners. Your gifts support successful outcomes for our patients and staff when and where they're most needed.
All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Call the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-800-732-0999 for official registration and financial information. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Give of your time to help with committees, events, or other tasks as needed. Learn more by visiting our site and selecting “Volunteer” under “Ways to Help.”
The Suicide Prevention Awareness merchandise sale is underway for 2025, featuring a new design on a long-sleeve white t-shirt, a short-sleeve black t-shirt, a ballcap, a planter with dirt and Forget-Me-Not seeds, a purple tie-dye t-shirt, and a black crewneck sweatshirt.
Items will deliver prior to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September.
Thanks to all who support this initiative, which continues to raise awareness, broker important conversations, and provide needed funds to enhance patient experiences.
Individuals and families throughout our region affected by mental health challenges are connecting with our foundation to organize efforts and host events, large and small, within their communities in support of the Making Minds Matter Fund.
Interested? Connect with us.
Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2025, for a night of celebration and inspiration at The Westin, Pittsburgh. The Celebrating Champions Dinner and Auction is an annual event co-hosted by UPMC Senior Services and UPMC Western Behavioral Health to honor the remarkable achievements of individuals and organizations in building better communities.
Learn more about Celebrating Champions here or contact Debbie Panei, director of development, UPMC Senior Services, at 412-864-3524 or paneid@upmc.edu.
Proceeds from Celebrating Champions will be shared between the UPMC Senior Communities Benevolent Care program, in support of senior residents who have outlived their financial resources, and the Making Minds Matter Fund at UPMC Western Behavioral Health, which provides for enhanced patient and family experiences for those navigating mental health challenges.
Since 2009, the event has raised more than $2.9 million to further charitable care.
Staff at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital have established “Second Chances Corner,” a closet of donated outerwear, clothing, and shoes for inpatients of all ages in need.
Oftentimes, individuals seeking treatment at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital arrive in crisis in clothing that falls outside the bounds of patient safety criteria, and many do not have supports in the community who are able to bring them hospital-appropriate clothing. To address this need, the Patient Experience Council at Western has organized a “closet” of donated apparel and shoes in a dedicated space on the hospital’s fourth floor called “Second Chances Corner.”
Learn how you can help stock the closet.
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TAG™’s Adventure is a fun, vibrant therapeutic activity book for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities.
Created by staff at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, TAG™’s Adventure is 129-page adventure workbook filled with art, music, and play concepts. The book’s main character, TAG™ (Therapeutic Activity Guide) was inspired by a child’s first attempt at drawing.
The book features activities that help young people build confidence through simple directives and repetition. Alongside TAG™, children and teens can have fun by creating, exploring, and learning.
TAG™’s Adventure is available for purchase. To learn more, email MakingMindsMatter@upmc.edu.
Proceeds from the sale of TAG™’s Adventure benefit UPMC Western Behavioral Health Foundation.
Making Minds Matter fundraising campaigns provide many ways to direct your support. Choose the one that best fits your interests.
Our fourth annual “Marianne Cornetti and Friends” Benefit Concert and Art Auction was a celebration of healing and recovery from mental health challenges. With the support of more than 425 ticket holders, UPMC Western Behavioral Health staff and peers were featured alongside professional musicians and visual artists on the stage of the Carnegie Music Hall as well as in the grand foyer where the art auction was housed. In all, 56 musicians and visual artists took part.
Learn more about the concert and art auction.
The 2025 “Groceries, Gas, or Cash!" raffle will kick off in July. The drawing will be on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 2 p.m.
The raffle will sell a total of 700 tickets at $100 each. The prize options include a choice of $17,000 in Giant Eagle Gift Cards or $14,000 in cash. To reserve your 2025 ticket, email MakingMindsMatter@upmc.edu.
"Holidays from the Heart" will provide gifts for all inpatients at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and our residential centers. The gift campaign includes children and seniors.
Our supporters have allowed us to make the holidays brighter for more than 400 patients in both the hospital and community residential settings.
Holidays from the Heart Donation form (PDF).
Learn more about Holidays from the Heart
This scholarship is in memory of a cherished Comprehensive Recovery Services (CRS) staff person at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Lorraine Williams.
The Lorraine Williams Peer Scholarship supports CRS patients with mental health needs who are going to school or pursuing vocational training. This training can be either to get a job or advance their career.
As Lorraine modeled herself, recipients also serve as role models for others with mental health needs.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in every five Americans experiences mental illness.
We hope the Making Minds Matter at UPMC Western Behavioral Health magazine will help reduce stigma and expand community engagement.
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