Biography

Betsy Schwartz oversees the Mental Health First Aid program at the National Council for Behavioral Health. She has orchestrated foundation and other strategic partnerships for the National Council, including a partnership with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to promote youth mental health. Schwartz has also been instrumental in developing a National Council integrated health curriculum offered at schools of social work across the country. Prior to coming to the National Council, Schwartz was CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston for 30+ years. She led the nonprofit to expand its mental health initiatives, and partner with community members and organizations. She forged strong partnerships between the mental health association and the Houston Police Department and the juvenile justice system. Schwartz is a senior fellow of the WK Kellogg Foundation and American Leadership Forum. She was chosen by the Houston Chronicle as community leader and “Woman on the Move” and received the Houston Psychological Association’s Public Citizen of the Year award.