Ruthanne Becker on 26 Years of Change in Mental Health Care

Over the past 26 years, Ruthanne Becker has helped shape the programs, mission, and growth of Greater Mental Health. As Chief Program Officer, she oversees a wide range of programs within the rehabilitative services, care management, residential, and peer support service groups. Over the course of her career, Ruthanne has watched the field and our agency embrace new developments in care and methodologies. Among the many changes she has witnessed, one stands out as particularly transformative: a redefinition of who holds expertise in the recovery process.

Looking Back: When the Clinician Stopped Being the Singular Voice in Recovery

“The largest change for me has been that when I was in graduate school, the orientation was that you, as the clinician, were the expert,” Ruthanne said. “Now it’s shifted to the person being the expert on their own recovery.”

That shift toward person-centered care has become a cornerstone of modern mental health services. Rather than solely directing a person’s recovery, providers work alongside the individuals to help them define and achieve their own goals. Ruthanne believes this approach is not only more respectful but far more effective. “When you make the person the center and empower them to lead what their recovery looks like, it is much more effective,” she said.

A Diagnosis is Not a Person

When Ruthanne first entered the field, mental health treatment often focused on traditional interventions such as medication management, therapy, and referrals to support services. While those remain important tools, she has seen the field broaden its understanding of what truly supports mental wellbeing.

That conviction shapes how she talks about stigma, which she believes remains one of the field’s most persistent obstacles.

“If you ask me what a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is like, that’s like asking me what blonde people are like; it doesn’t make sense to describe someone as only one aspect of themselves,” Ruthanne said. “I wish we would be less concerned about what diagnosis a person has and more concerned about who the person is, what they have experienced, and what resources they have access to.”

This whole-person approach reflects a broader shift in how Greater Mental Health serves the community today. Programs increasingly recognize that mental health is deeply connected to all of the factors that contribute to quality of life.

If Not Us, Then Who?

This philosophy has also guided Greater Mental Health’s evolution over the years as the organization has expanded housing, peer support, and community-based programs to meet needs identified directly by participants and families.

“When we started looking at where the gaps were, we asked what our clients wanted and needed, and we listened to them,” Ruthanne said. She is particularly proud of the organization’s willingness to support individuals who may have struggled to find support elsewhere. She spoke about how Greater Mental Health often serves people who have struggled with the systems of care or have fallen through the cracks.

You Can’t Heal When You Can’t Pay Your Rent

“If you are struggling to keep a roof over your head, or food on the table, it’s really hard to think about your mental health and wellness,” Ruthanne said.

Economic and societal pressures and histories of trauma sit underneath many of the challenges she sees affecting mental health today: increased substance use, social isolation, housing insecurity, lack of resources, and the growing stress and instability many people are experiencing day-to-day.

Societal Crises That Changed the Mental Health Conversation

While Ruthanne believes stigma around mental health still exists, she has also witnessed important moments when public attitudes became more open and compassionate.

Having worked at Greater Mental Health both before and after the September 11, 2001 attacks, she remembers a noticeable shift in how people talked about emotional wellbeing. Before 9/11, discussions about mental health were often kept private. In the aftermath of the tragedy, however, people became more comfortable acknowledging feelings of grief, anxiety, trauma, and depression with more than just their doctors or close family and friends.

“There was a period of time after 9/11 where people were saying, ‘I’m really depressed,’ or ‘I’m really struggling,’ or ‘I feel really anxious,’ and that helped to open up more public conversations about mental health,” Ruthanne recalled.

She saw a similar change during the COVID-19 pandemic. As people faced widespread isolation, uncertainty, and disruption to daily life, conversations about mental health became more mainstream. Families and friends discussed the emotional impact of lockdowns, individuals sought new ways to stay connected, and many became more intentional about caring for their wellbeing. “People were very cognizant of mental health and wanting to have better mental health,” Ruthanne said. “I think the dialogue has gotten better and louder,” she said. “People really recognize that mental health issues are in everybody’s family, and it’s not something to be ashamed of or ignored.”

No Wrong Door

Looking ahead, Ruthanne is excited about creating more integrated systems of care across Greater Mental Health. Her vision centers on a “no wrong door” approach, where anyone who enters the organization can be connected to the full range of supports available.

“I want anybody who touches our services to be able to get the help they need, and even discover supports they may not realize could improve their lives.”, she said. That vision includes expanding housing programs, investing in wellness-focused services, and reducing barriers to ensure everyone has access to the integrated supports and care we offer.

As Greater Mental Health celebrates its 80th anniversary with the theme “Healing Communities, Shaping the Future,” Ruthanne believes the organization’s greatest strength is its willingness to keep evolving while staying rooted in its mission, and keeping the voices of clients front and center in their own recovery.

After more than two decades of helping shape Greater Mental Health, Ruthanne remains guided by the question that continues to drive both her work and the organization’s future:

“If not us, who?”

Her answer reflects both the agency’s history and its future: showing up for people, meeting them where they are, and continually finding new ways to help them.