Mental Health Champions: Why & How Jon Brandt of Thrive Alliance Group Is Helping To Champion Mental Wellness
An Interview With Michelle Tennant Nicholson
Awareness — Understanding that life isn’t always easy, and sometimes you need to take more risks whether that is falling in love, starting a business, moving to a new city for college or a new chapter in your life. The difficult times are what helps us grow and evolve as humans.
As a part of our series about Mental Health Champions helping to promote mental wellness, I had the pleasure to interview Jon Brandt.
Jon is the CEO and co-founder of Thrive Alliance Group, a behavior health organization placing licensed clinicians in New Jersey K–12 schools and providing mental health certification, coaching and professional development nationwide. Being directly impacted through the loss of his older brother, Jon is passionate about the importance of mental health services in schools and believes that it’s not about fixing one person, but about changing the culture. He hopes to bring more awareness to mental health issues in students and making metal heath services a top priority for schools and districts nationwide.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in Northern New Jersey. As a child I was always curious about the way things worked and I always challenged conventional thinking. I guess I learned this from my father who was an entrepreneur.
You are currently leading an initiative that is helping to promote mental wellness. Can you tell us a bit more specifically about what you are trying to address?
Thrive Alliance Group is a unique behavioral health organization that specifically addresses students dealing with mental health and emotional issues. We place therapists in school districts and supervise them to prevent issues before they escalate. We have been incredibly successful in reducing behavioral issues in schools, preventing out-of-district placements, supporting students, families and school staff. Not only do we support schools with an on-site clinician, but we are also always educating schools through professional development, coaching and mentoring programs to further support the overall school climate and culture.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
Years ago, my brother Garry sadly took his own life due to severe depression that tormented him throughout his life. After losing my brother, I realized how fragile we are as a society. In 2010, I had the opportunity to partner with two amazing therapists, John Reilly and Christopher Leonard (my Thrive Alliance Group partners), and help them build out schools for children suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional disorders. I always wanted to create something that addressed the issues my brother Garry endured. Meeting my partners felt serendipitous.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest them. They don’t get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
This goes back to when I created my first company. I created an organization called National Health Career Association (NHA) in the mid 1990’s. The creation of this company stemmed from an experience I had visiting my grandmother in the hospital. She had developed an infection from someone drawing her blood. After investigating what happened, I learned that the person who drew her blood had no formal training in this area and my grandmother was the first person she had ever practiced on. This issue challenged me, with the help of other professionals, to create training standards and certifications. Similarly, with Thrive Alliance Group, I wanted to create something meaningful after experiencing a traumatic event, which in this case was losing my brother Garry.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
What continues to amaze me about running Thrive Alliance Group is the satisfaction of waking up knowing that the work we do saves lives. My job is the easiest, the rest of the team are the hero’s. But I love being a part of such a meaningful organization and improving the lives of so many people.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
I have so many people to be thankful for. Early in my career, I learned from an older gentleman about social entrepreneurship, that a business can also be a part of solving the world’s problems. It doesn’t have to be we sell widgets, but that we can use our imagination in building something meaningful. I thank him every day for that lesson.
According to Mental Health America’s report, over 44 million Americans have a mental health condition. Yet there’s still a stigma about mental illness. Can you share a few reasons you think this is so?
Every day we work hard in helping schools, families and communities develop a deep understanding about mental health and the importance of early intervention. The goal is to give people the tools they need to be successful in their daily practices.
In your experience, what should a) individuals b) society, and c) the government do to better support people suffering from mental illness?
Individuals — Understand the root causes of the mental health issues they are experiencing. They can do this by speaking to professionals who can give them the support they need to overcome their challenges.
Society — Understand that mental health is a world issue. It is no longer acceptable to brush issues under the rug. We need to eliminate the stigma around mental health.
Government — This is simple. The government needs to devote more educational funding to mental health, specifically for K–12 students and educators.
What are your 5 strategies you use to promote your own well-being and mental wellness? Can you please give a story or example for each?
Awareness — Understanding that life isn’t always easy, and sometimes you need to take more risks whether that is falling in love, starting a business, moving to a new city for college or a new chapter in your life. The difficult times are what helps us grow and evolve as humans.
Addressing Issues — Understanding ourselves and our limits. If we begin to feel overwhelmed, know that there is always someone to go to for help. Solving and addressing problems is where life has its meaning.
A Positive Routine — Implementing a routine filled with positive habits to ensure you take care of yourself, also known as self-care. This can range from eating healthy, to exercising, and getting enough sleep. These are some examples that directly impact mental health.
Life Balance — Knowing the balance between working hard and enjoying life.
Finding purpose — Finding a purpose is an important part of mental wellness. My purpose is to build an organization to help support those suffering from mental health issues negatively affecting their lives. Find something that gives you satisfaction. It could be charity work, community involvement, whatever you are passionate about.
What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that inspire you to be a mental health champion?
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck was recommended to me by my own therapist years ago. This book transformed my life. It taught me the strategies to evolve and grow as a person. The book taught me to address life’s problems by addressing them head-on. At the time I was not dealing with my own issues and then that shift to attacking my problems changed my life.
If you could tell other people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
If you want to make an impact and be a part of the solution, you need to become active. Nothing was ever achieved by just thinking about it.
How can our readers follow you online?
Readers can follow me on LinkedIn and visit our website at www.thrivealliancegroup.com.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
