Increasing Engagement with Mental Health Non-Profit Organizations: An Economic Analysis

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ECO 499-002: Economics of Altruism with Dr. Gail Hoyt

Group Members

Rowan West

FLIE-Japanese

Senior

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John Langhi

Economics Major

Senior

Dana Pangburn

Economics Major

Senior

Alex Wood

Economics and Anthropology

Senior

About NAMI

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) identifies itself as an advocacy group to educate and aid those affected by mental illness.
• Founded nationally in 1979, Madison, WI.
• NAMI Lexington was founded in 1985.
• Offers a variety of programs and aid to those who are affected by mental illness.

Shannon Baker

Director of Communications and Development

Research Question and Thesis Statement

Research Question: How can mental health non-profit organizations increase their donation and volunteer numbers?

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that stigma and a lack of information are the two greatest barriers to increasing volunteers and donations. Based on the data collected, we will suggest strategies for how NAMI can better target individuals more likely to volunteer or donate. Furthermore, these strategies will be generalized for the use of other, similar mental health organizations.

Methodology

To observe what influences impact whether individuals are willing to volunteer or donate to NAMI and similar mental health organizations, a 90 question survey was administered digitally to University of Kentucky students, receiving 444 responses.

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The following linear regression models were utilized to determine which factors have a significant relationship relative to a percentage likelihood of volunteering or donating to NAMI:

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namivolunteer = β₀+ substanceuse x β₁+ namicatsunaware x β₂+ valuetime x β₃+ republican x β₄+ male x β₅+ mentalcrimeagree x β₆+ mentalillness x β₇ + workschizophreniaagree x β₈ + ϵ

n = 444, R² = 0.28

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namidonate = β₀+ candonate x β₁+ namiunaware x β₂+ environmentallyconscious xβ₃+ workschizophreniaagree x β₄+ male x β₅+ republican x β₆+ valuetime x β₇ + mentalillness x β₈ + ϵ

n =444, R² = 0.259

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Descriptive Statistics

Results

Volunteer Regression

Donating Regression

*An asterisk indicates variables significant at α = 0.05.

Conclusion

• In regards to demographics, in general NAMI should target individuals who are female and identify outside of the Republican party.
• People who are unaware of NAMI and NAMICATS are significantly less likely to volunteer or donate, so they should focus on raising awareness of themselves and their student organization on UK’s campus.
• Since half of the respondents agreed they would be comfortable working with someone with schizophrenia, it may be beneficial for NAMI to target college students as potential volunteers and future donors.
• On average, respondents answered that they valued time greater than money, which may suggest that college students are more willing to donate money rather than volunteer. However, the coefficient of this variable on both regressions was positive, so there may not be a significant difference.
• Individuals who know someone affected by mental illness are not more likely to volunteer or donate (variable is insignificant); therefore, it should not be assumed that such individuals are prime targets for volunteers or donors for mental health nonprofits.
• Environmentally conscious individuals are more likely to donate to NAMI, so NAMI may benefit from collaborating with environmental nonprofits and their donors.