With a doctorate in psychology and decades of experience treating clients, Sara Moll understood well the pandemic’s devastating effects on mental health.
“There is a lot of pain people have,” Moll explained. “To make a really big impact, we need to work together.”
Having earned three degrees from Case Western Reserve and spent years as a trustee, Moll believed her alma mater could be an ideal partner. And, after months of conversations and planning, the university announced the Sara and Curt Moll Institute for Mental Health and Well-Being in June.
“This commitment from Dr. Sara Moll and her husband, Curt, will have a profound impact near and far—in the short term and for generations to come,” CWRU President Eric W. Kaler said in June.
The $60 million endeavor—which includes $23.5 million from the couple—aims to increase the number of caregivers in Northeast Ohio, advance breakthroughs in research, and encourage collaborations across the university and greater community.
As part of the joint commitment with the Molls, the university has pledged to double the number of psychological sciences faculty members, with an ultimate goal of proportionately increasing doctoral student totals as well.
“What Sara really imparted on me was this vision of the university being the driver of mental health breakthroughs in our community,” said Interim Provost Joy K. Ward, who was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences during the development of the institute’s model. “[Sara Moll brought] understanding how we can best counsel those and support those in need.”
In the months since, the importance of such an ambitious effort has become increasingly apparent. This summer, for example, University of Chicago researchers reported that 80% of people with employer-sponsored health plans had to go out of network for mental health providers, as compared to 6% who reported similar experiences seeking physical healthcare. Meanwhile, 69% of those under 18 could not access mental healthcare at all, while just 17% could not get physical healthcare.
More recently, mental health experts have warned that the catastrophic damage of the war in Gaza also affects people far removed from the violence. Research now shows that simply seeing disturbing images can cause physiological distress, while others fear for family abroad or face personal risks based on religious or other affiliations.
Among the priorities for the Moll Institute are encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations, catalyzing research breakthroughs and expanding the number of PhD students enrolled in the program. Part of doctoral training includes supervised clinical experiences, which Sara Moll notes also increases opportunities for those with fewer resources to receive care.
“It’s just important to make it available to everybody,” she said.
Originally published in the winter 2024 issue of Forward Thinking magazine