Action: What YOU can do to help!

Get involved! Speak up, speak out and make a difference. Be an advocate.

Mental health is too often cast in the shadow of physical health, and is overlooked by institutional and governmental leaders.  Those with mental illness tend not to be able to speak out and lose frequently in the corridors of power. The stigma of mental illness is everpresent...  And it hurts.

MHA-A and MHA work ceaselessly to advocate for mental health and for good, appropriate care for those who suffer with mental illnesses.  We could use your help.  Institutions and government listen more to larger numbers of voices.  We invite you to be a part of our important work.

Advocacy Does Work...  It does have an impact.

The MHA-A has been a leader in addressing community mental health concerns since 1954. It has assessed needs and advocated or  initiated services, many of which evolved into today’s human service agencies... Some of our success stories include:

• Community Services Boards – Locally managed state agencies whose services in the community include those for mentally ill.

• Valley Mental Health Clinic – Forerunner of Valley Community Health Services.

• Ministerial Family Counseling Services – Forerunner of today’s Valley Pastoral Counseling Center.

• Psychiatric Units – Inclusion of psych units in local hospitals.

• Family Counseling Center

• Mental Health Information & Referral Service

• Volunteer Services and “Adopt-A-Patient” Program at Western State Hospital.

• A Day Center / Amity Club – Forerunner of today’s Shenandoah Club for patients from mental hspitals and clinics.

• Parents Without Partners Chapter

• Battered Women’s Task Force – Forerunner of today’s New Directions.