About MHA Lancaster County
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy, education, and support.
OUR VISION
A society where mental wellness is the foundation of a healthy community.
We Advocate. We Educate. We Support.
Through our advocacy services we:
- Touch the lives of adults and seniors facing isolation and loneliness.
- Provide one-to-one support to those struggling to find a therapist or afford their medications.
- Engage with schools to assist families and their children with Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
- Offer support to incarcerated individuals and their families.
We provide educational training opportunities:
- To students, teachers, and administrators in our local schools and businesses on important topics such as stress and anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.
- We host the annual Suicide Prevention Conference each September.
- To churches and faith leaders who want to bring resources to their congregations.
And lastly, we support:
- Those struggling with bipolar disorder, panic and OCD, depression, and suicide loss with our support groups.
- Through our Suicide Prevention Coalition, we tackle the tough topic of “breaking the stigma” and identifying at-risk individuals who are displaying warning signs and arming the people around them with knowledge on those “next steps” in helping them get their loved ones support.
- And so much more!
Our History
The Mental Health Association of Lancaster County was established as an independent affiliate of Mental Health America in 1977.
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA), which is now Mental Health America (MHA), is the United States’ oldest and largest non-profit organization that addresses all aspects of mental health and mental illnesses.
NMHA was established in 1909 by former psychiatric patient Clifford W. Beers. During his stays in public and private institutions, Beers witnessed and experienced horrible abuse. Out of this pain, Beers set into motion a reform movement that took shape as the National Mental Health Association. His book A Mind That Found Itself is available for loan in the local MHA office.
In 1977, the organization changed its name from Mental Health Association to Mental Health America of Lancaster County.
