About MHA Lancaster County
At Mental Health America of Lancaster County, we are dedicated to helping individuals lead mentally healthy lives. We believe that to achieve optimal health we must make a commitment to care for our mind, body, and spirit. Often, we take care of our physical needs by eating well or exercising, and connecting with a presence larger than ourselves to attend to our spirit’s needs. Yet, when it comes to taking care of our mind, we often dismiss its’ importance. When we ignore our mental health, we overlook the very part of us that helps us to know and achieve our best selves.
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.
MHA Lancaster Services
MHALC touches thousands of lives each year by providing advocacy, educational, and support services. We offer people one-to-one assistance throughout their journey to living independently and successfully in the community as well as within their family, relationships, and place of work.
What do we do?
We Advocate. We Educate. We Serve.
- We deliver a wide variety of programs and services to support individuals and families impacted by mental illness in ways that help them move towards recovery.
- We educate the public about mental health and mental illness to help eliminate stigma, labels, and prejudice.
- We are changing lives by giving the gift of friendship to individuals with a serious mental illness.
- We provide information and referral services to navigate the complex delivery system that can impede access to mental health services.
- We advocate for policy and system change which accord rights and benefits to individuals living with a mental illness.
- We promote mental health and well-being for all individuals through education and training.
Our History
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’s name was officially changed to MHA Lancaster County, and finally in 2007 to Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC).
