7 Women To Watch In The Mental Health Space

Millions of Americans struggle with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and burnout each year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illness affects one in five U.S. adults annually, with one in twenty experiencing severe mental illness.

In response to this growing crisis, women leaders across the country are stepping up with innovative solutions that expand access to quality care and support. They’re reimagining how mental health services are delivered, creating new pathways to healing, and ensuring resources reach those who need them most.

From developing accessible digital platforms to establishing community-based support systems, these seven women are breaking barriers and transforming the mental health landscape. 

Licensed therapist, Chantel Cohen, specializes in helping ambitious women navigate the intersection of mental health and business. She’s particularly passionate about reshaping success narratives for Black women entrepreneurs, who despite launching businesses at record rates, continue facing systemic barriers to scaling.

Through her company, CWC Coaching & Therapy, Chantel builds emotional resilience and mental clarity in her clients, equipping them with the psychological tools needed for sustainable long-term success.

Lisa Bonta Sumii is an experienced licensed mental health clinician and Certified Mental Performance Consultant who specializes in supporting athletes and high performers. As the founder of AthMindset, she provides mental health and performance services to athletes, coaches, and teams across diverse sports. 

She’s also a passionate advocate for athletes of color. When working, she’s known for her personal approach that seamlessly integrates clinical support with performance training to promote mental health, team cohesion, and optimal performance. 

Andrea Womack serves as the Chief Content Officer at Psych Hub, the largest online mental health education platform. With over 15 years of experience in mental health education, healthcare operations, and compliance, she combines her education and experience to address workplace mental health challenges. 

Womack’s goal is to ensure mental health education remains central to improving behavioral health outcomes, advocating for accessible, stigma-free resources while advancing mental health awareness for both individuals and professionals.

Anne Jolles, founder of Grace Trail, discovered a path to resilience while navigating her own difficult journey as a mother with a son serving in Afghanistan. Through reflective walks in nature, she developed a self-guided walk model based on five transformative questions centered on Gratitude, Release, Accept, Challenge, and Embrace (GRACE). 

Now an author, professional coach, and TEDx speaker, Anne has established over 40 Grace Trails nationwide. These self-guided experiences help participants tap into their inner wisdom and find hope during challenging times. 

After finding healing through peer connection, CeCe Cheng founded ShareWell, an affordable alternative to therapy offering facilitator-led online support groups. Launched in 2021, the platform connects people with shared experiences, making mental health support accessible nationwide. 

With 100,000+ users reporting 90% improved happiness, Cheng’s mission to democratize emotional support is transforming how many go through the process of healing.

Dorcy Pruter transforms broken family systems through her High Road to Reunification program, a leading court-ordered intervention for post-divorce trauma. 

Inspired by her own childhood alienation experience, she addresses generational trauma while training professionals to recognize true family dysfunction. Through her Conscious Co-Parenting Institute, Pruter has helped thousands of families by healing wounds at their source.

Viktoriya Stinson, founder of Victory Starts Now (VSN), transformed her experiences as a public defender into action by creating a comprehensive solution for those with severe mental illness in the criminal justice system. 

Since 2015, her Los Angeles nonprofit has provided holistic support, including housing, mental health treatment, and legal counseling to divert individuals from incarceration. Now operating 20 residential treatment centers serving up to 400 clients, VSN addresses root causes of criminal activity and homelessness while reintegrating clients as productive community members.