Mental Illness Helpline 800-950-NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741
Mental Illness Helpline 800-950-NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) or in a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741

MAX Foundation

Live your best life

Rachel Bartz

What is your role on the Board?

My role on the board is that I want to bring expertise in the areas of evidenced based trainings that would be beneficial for local therapist to have so they can effectively treat all mental illness.

Why is the success of this foundation important to you?

I am an advocate for treating mental health and preventing suicide. With treatment suicide can be prevented and we can break down the stigma that mental health is a weakness or personal failure.

What do you hope the Max Foundation can accomplish?

I hope that by working together as a committee, we can identify and support the mental health needs in our community along with surrounding communities. One identified area would be to have local clinicians trained in measuring suicidality so that they feel confident in working with individuals who have suicidal ideations.

What are the highlights of your life personally?

I enjoy spending time with my family; my husband and our two children who are 22 and 20. Both are attending college. Owen will graduate this spring from UND and Rylee is a sophomore attending The University of St. Thomas where she is playing hockey. I love being at the lake, reading books and walking our dog, Bauer.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, having received my master’s degree in social work from UND in May 2013. I have been providing therapy since graduating. My passion is working with kids and their parents in hopes of educating parents around the signs and symptoms of mental health and offering strategies to combat it. I have been a social worker for 28 years working in various capacities all with the same goal of helping others to be their best selves.