Deeper Cuts Therapy has announced the Mental Health Impact Awards, a new way to honor individuals, organizations and initiatives whose dedication to healing and community well-being is driving meaningful change across Sacramento.
To be announced in May during Mental Health Awareness Month, the awards recognize leaders, advocates and change-makers who reflect courage, compassion, and a deep belief in collective healing. The goal, creators say, is to celebrate those who confront harmful systems and expand access to care, resources and support, elevating community voices and creating pathways toward wellness, dignity, and justice. Nominations are open through Tuesday, March 24.
The awards stem from the experiences of Deeper Cuts Therapy founders Aron King, a registered nurse, and Dr. Troy Williams, a public health researcher. With nearly 20 years in the health field between them, King and Williams began organizing group therapy sessions in Sacramento in 2023 and observed the powerful, yet often unrecognized, work being done to address mental health in the county. They established the awards to use their growing community platform to “shine a spotlight” on this dedication, especially nontraditional work. It is important to the founders that this public acknowledgment and celebration of efforts comes directly from the community.
As the name implies, the Mental Health Impact Awards will focus heavily on deep community impact.
“In our experience, the true impact of mental health work often goes far beyond numbers,” King said. “We have seen programs that begin by supporting one individual but ultimately influence entire households and communities.”
Group sessions helped some participants access therapy for the first time. The initial step of seeking support led to them encouraging their partners, friends, and children to also start therapy, which unexpectedly helped normalize mental health care within their entire social circle.
Troy Williams with the Greater Sacramento Urban League on April 30, 2024. There are discussions with Sacramento Urban League and Sacramento mayor’s office about what reparations could look like for a housing redevelopment done back in the 1950s
“Because of that, we define impact less by the number of people someone has served and more by the depth of the change they help create,” King said.
“We are looking for nominees who are introducing meaningful mental health interventions in their communities, people who are shifting conversations, creating spaces for healing, and helping others access care in ways that ripple outward and influence the well-being of families and communities,” Williams added.
The award recognition arrives as Sacramento’s mental health landscape faces significant challenges.
“As grant dollars and DEI initiatives have faced increasing challenges across Sacramento, we have also seen many community members and organizations step up in powerful ways,” Williams said. For example, Karega Bailey has organized groups of men at Creole Soul bringing hundreds of Black men together to address their mental health without outside funding. Churches like Center of Praise Ministries have created men’s therapy groups, while Sharie Wilson and DreamGirls Hair Salon have been creating spaces for healing and groups like BlkGirlsRunIt! continue to build community through movement and programming.
“Sacramento is making progress, but there is still a long way to go,” King said.
The Mental Health Impact Awards will recognize recipients in three categories: individual, company and volunteer/nonprofit award. Community members will be invited to submit nominations, and selected finalists will advance to a three-week public voting period. This community-driven process is designed to increase visibility for local mental health leaders and create shared ownership of the recognition.For more information, email info@Deepercutstherapy.com.
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