Phillip Schermer: bringing mental health care to the masses
Mon Feb 02 2026
There are not enough therapists in America. And even when you can find one, it is hard to schedule an appointment. This is the case despite the fact that America also has a rising mental health crisis. More people are aware of their mental health needs, and more people are coming to need mental health support.
At the Ruderman Family Foundation, this is one of our tentpole issues, and we strive to facilitate changes in our communities that will provide better and healthier futures for those struggling with mental health.
That is why I’m so excited to be joined today by Phillip Schermer. Phillip is the founder of Project Healthy Minds, a non-profit startup building the world’s first digital mental health marketplace to democratize access to life-changing services, partnering with public figures to de-stigmatize mental health, and creating the first national standards for businesses to better support employee mental health.
Phillip and Jay discuss AI in the therapy space, the social and economic barriers standing between people and quality mental health care, and the stunning power of celebrity honesty around mental health struggles.
Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.
Episode Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:27 World Mental Health Day highlights and Project Healthy Minds origin story
6:35 Project Healthy Minds vs Talkspace and Better Health
9:44 What happens when people don’t get mental health resources?
13:54 AI and mental health
18:52 Ambient threats to mental health
22:52 Top-down attacks on mental health from government
28:37 Outro and Goodbye
For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation
Stay in touch:
X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn
LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation
Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation
To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/
Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336
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There are not enough therapists in America. And even when you can find one, it is hard to schedule an appointment. This is the case despite the fact that America also has a rising mental health crisis. More people are aware of their mental health needs, and more people are coming to need mental health support. At the Ruderman Family Foundation, this is one of our tentpole issues, and we strive to facilitate changes in our communities that will provide better and healthier futures for those struggling with mental health. That is why I’m so excited to be joined today by Phillip Schermer. Phillip is the founder of Project Healthy Minds, a non-profit startup building the world’s first digital mental health marketplace to democratize access to life-changing services, partnering with public figures to de-stigmatize mental health, and creating the first national standards for businesses to better support employee mental health. Phillip and Jay discuss AI in the therapy space, the social and economic barriers standing between people and quality mental health care, and the stunning power of celebrity honesty around mental health struggles. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:27 World Mental Health Day highlights and Project Healthy Minds origin story 6:35 Project Healthy Minds vs Talkspace and Better Health 9:44 What happens when people don’t get mental health resources? 13:54 AI and mental health 18:52 Ambient threats to mental health 22:52 Top-down attacks on mental health from government 28:37 Outro and Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336