What is a Mental Health Association Chapter?

Mental Health Associations (MHAs) bring together mental health consumers, parents, advocates and service providers for collaboration and action. As their state association, MHAI provides training and technical assistance to these affiliates on issues like managed care, mental health parity advocacy, depression and anxiety disorders education and children's mental health issues. The state office offers local MHAs vital assistance in board development, fundraising plans and program implementation.

MHAs provide public education, information and referral, support groups, rehabilitation services, socialization and housing services to those confronting mental health problems and their loved ones. Many also provide family advocate services to parents and children with serious emotional disturbances, mentoring relationships for adults recovering from mental illnesses, and professional education to those working in the mental health field. They serve as local leaders in the support and development of consumer-run initiatives and primary prevention programs. Finally, affiliates strive to influence public policy at the local, state, and national level to assure fair and effective treatment to the millions of Americans suffering from mental disorders.

For information on starting an MHA chapter click here.