Christmas donation of NOK 1 million to mental health research

This year’s Christmas gift from the Omega team goes to the funding of research to understand, prevent, and alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness. 

Omega’s Christmas donation is NOK 1 million, over two years, to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) . The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is a global, nonprofit organization based in New York. Since 1987, the foundation has been committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants to researchers worldwide, to promote advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

Omega is committed to being “Big enough to deliver - small enough to care”, also when it comes to social responsibility. On behalf of our team, Omega supports and donates to causes aligned with our core values. In previous years, Omega’s Christmas gift has been donated to CARE’s savings and loan groups in Congo, Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children in Murmansk . 

A challenging year

The year 2020 has shown us how quickly situations can change, from regular business travel and large events, to Teams meetings and social distancing. This impacts not only people’s work; it can also affect their health.

“This year, we have all had to adapt because of the pandemic. Guidelines and restrictions have had an impact on our daily lives. Some people have not been able to see family, colleagues, and friends; others may have experienced an increased workload and stress; many have been worried about how the pandemic would evolve. Now, more than ever, bringing attention to our mental health is important,” says CEO in Omega, Petter Aalvik.

“We know a great deal about our physical health and how to maintain and improve it. Our mental health requires the same focus, and we need focused research to further our understanding of how we can prevent and treat illnesses.”

Omega’s donation

Omega’s donation is defined as a “general donation”, meaning that the funds can be used where they are needed most. The entire sum will become grants for research, as all administrative costs are covered by a separate fund. 

The BBRF funds research investigating conditions such as addiction, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia.

“I would like to extend a personal thank you for the generous gift of $115 000 (2020 and 2021) from Omega towards general research to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF). This gift to the Foundation means a great deal to the progress of our research funding, and ultimately to those whose lives we touch,” says Jeffrey Borenstein, CEO & President of BBRF, in a thank you letter to Omega. 

Focus on mental health

“Statistics from the World Health Organization suggests that 450 million people around the world live with mental illnesses. Mental illness can affect any one of us, but with quality research and care, we can meet the challenges it presents in the best was possible.”

“It is our hope that this donation will contribute to combatting these challenges, whilst also bringing more attention to the importance of mental health within our own organization,” says Corporate Communications Manager, Lauren McPherson Simonsen. 

Simonsen hopes that the information from BBRF that will be shared on Omega’s webpages, as well as other mental health initiatives over the next two years, will help our team to engage with this important theme. 

“We fill out our Exercise Log each month for addressing our physical health. Now, I hope everyone will join us in expanding that focus to the arena of mental health. Our donation is a very big first step in the right direction, but asking a colleague if they are ok today might be just as important.”