Mental Health America

That mental health is ever changing, not static.

That life's stages bring stresses which cause individual reactions.

That those who struggle with their feelings should not be labeled "sick".

That people with mental illnesses are entitled to the same acceptance and
support as are people with other illnesses.

That all people should have help in dealing with the feelings and behavior.
which trouble them without fear of stigma.

That broad based citizen action is vital to the achievement of our mission.

Clifford Beers (1876-1943) understood the challenge when he launched the citizen's volunteer mental health movement. Beers had been a patient in private and public mental institutions in the early 1900's, where he was subjected to harsh and ineffective treatment. It was out of this nightmare that his dream was born: prevention of the onset of mental illness and increased attention to the humane treatment of people with mental illness.

Today Mental Health America is the nation's only citizens' volunteer advocacy organization concerned with all aspects of mental health and mental illness. Mental Health America of Lancaster County, founded in 1956, is one of 600 affiliates nationwide working toward accomplishing the mission set by Clifford Beers in 1909.

Mental Health America (MHA) is the name of a century-old non-profit dedicated
to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives.

MHA is the leading nonprofit on mental health and represents the local Mental Health
America movement.

With more than 320 affiliates nationwide, Mental Health America represents a growing
movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being
of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.

We are a network of individuals, families, providers and professionals, researchers,
businesspeople, school personnel, public officials, law enforcement, military personnel
and survivors of disaster. We are people of all faiths, colors and political parties.
We understand that mental health is a social justice issue and that it is integral
to public health.

We are Mental Heath America!

We all have mental health. It is an ever-present piece of who we are.

“Mental health” has to do with how well people cope with daily life and the challenges
it brings. It is a fluid state, with most of us falling somewhere in the middle of a scale
with untreated illness and disability at one end, and recovery and complete wellness
at the other.

We all face threats to our mental health. When considering all the ways it can affect each
of us and our society, mental health amounts to the largest public health and economic
concern in the country.

For example:
» Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments,
  accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.
» Chronic stress can lead to depression – a serious mental health problem that can wreak
  havoc on all areas of a person’s life.
» One out of four cases of obesity is associated with a mood disorder – such as depression –
  or an anxiety disorder.
» Mental illness and substance use problems cost the nation $205 billion annually. Less than
  half that amount ($92 billion) is for direct treatment. The remaining $113 billion is due to
  lost productivity, crime and welfare costs.
» Depression alone costs the economy $83 billion in absenteeism and lost productivity at
  work and direct treatment costs.

Our message is simple: good mental health is fundamental to the health and well-being of
every person and the nation as a whole.

Mental Health America educates and empowers the public to care for their mental health.
All people must have the means to protect their mental health in their daily lives and
maintain wellness, and know how to seek help when they or someone they love needs it.

Mental Health America helps the nation’s schools, businesses and health care systems gain
access to the knowledge and resources to respond to the mental health of their
communities and achieve their missions.

Mental Health America strives to ensure people have affordable and personalized state-of-
the-art preventive, early identification treatments and services.

Mental Health America advocates for increased research to ensure people better
treatments, services and cures for mental health and substance use problems.

Mental Health America provides support to the more than 60 million people in the U.S.
have mental health and substance use problems that may require treatment and services.