Prominent Figure in the Field of Mental Health

As the nation’s leading advocate for mental health, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has devoted her life to building a more compassionate society. In her role as working partner of the 39th president of the United States, she broke new ground as first lady by introducing programs and services for people with mental illnesses, senior citizens, women, and disenfranchised groups.

Throughout her leadership, Mrs. Carter has been deeply committed to making a difference in people’s lives. This dedication extended beyond the White House to The Carter Center in Atlanta, where she actively worked to address global issues such as eradicating Guinea worm disease and other neglected tropical diseases, increasing agricultural production in Africa, monitoring elections in nascent democracies, promoting compliance with international human rights standards and resolving conflicts. Her efforts have had a profound impact on communities around the world.

Mrs. Carter’s passion for mental health care led her to establish the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program, which aims to combat stigma and discrimination against those suffering from mental illnesses and promote improved care globally. She also chaired the Center’s Mental Health Task Force and hosted an annual forum of national mental health leaders. Additionally, she established the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism to encourage accurate reporting about these critical issues.

Rosalynn Carter’s lifetime of service has left a lasting impact on countless individuals and communities worldwide. Through her tireless work and commitment to improving mental health care, she has forever changed the way that these issues are viewed and treated.