Bill Lawrence to Be Honored As Project Healthy Minds Storyteller of the Year (EXCLUSIVE)

Bill Lawrence will receive the 2026 Project Healthy Minds Storyteller of the Year Award. The TV creator will be honored at Project Healthy Minds’ annual World Mental Health Day Gala on October 8 at Spring Studios in New York. 

Lawrence currently serves as the executive producer of five TV series, including “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso,” “Scrubs,” “Rooster” and “Bad Monkey,” among many others. Previously, he created and executive-produced the 2000s hit “Scrubs” and co-created “Cougar Town,” “Ground Floor,” “Spin City” and “Clone High.” 

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Across his acclaimed body of work, Lawrence has always prioritized telling human stories that explore mental health with “nuance and authenticity.” 

“As a creator, you hope your work helps people feel seen and a little less alone. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with people who lead with honesty, vulnerability and humor,” said Lawrence. “If the worlds and characters we’ve built together can move the conversation around mental health forward in any way, that means everything. I’m incredibly grateful to be recognized by Project Healthy Minds. They’ve built a powerful movement that’s making these conversations more open, more authentic and more human.”

Phil Schermer, Project Healthy Minds’ CEO and Founder, added: “Bill Lawrence has done something only the rarest storytellers manage — he’s made millions of people feel less alone without ever making it feel like the point. From ‘Ted Lasso’ to ‘Shrinking,’ his characters give audiences permission to talk about therapy, anxiety, grief and the daily work of being a person. That’s why he’s the 2026 Project Healthy Minds Storyteller of the Year. Not just because his shows are about mental health, but because they’ve changed how an entire generation talks about it.” 

Michael D. Ratner, Founder and CEO of OBB, CEO of Fanatics Studios and co-founder and co-executive chairman of rhode, will introduce Lawrence’s award. Ratner also sits on Project Healthy Minds’ Advisory Council. 

Fashion designer Naeem Khan has also been named the Gala’s artistic curator; in the role, Khan will “conceive of an immersive experience to showcase their personal commentary on mental health.” 

“It’s a privilege to serve as Artistic Curator for Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Gala. I’ve always believed fashion to be a powerful form of expression, one that evokes emotion, sparks connection and brings people joy,” said Khan. “To be able to channel that storytelling in support of such an important mission is incredibly meaningful. I look forward to creating a sparkling artistic experience that celebrates and inspires people to find joy in the world.”

Dedicated to expanding access to mental health services across the United States, Project Healthy Minds is the country’s leading mental health nonprofit.