Our story | Mental Health America
America’s longest-running national mental health organization
As a result of Mental Health America’s efforts, many Americans with mental disorders have sought care and now enjoy fulfilling lives in their communities. Our work has resulted in positive change.
Our history
Our history is the remarkable story of one person who turned a personal struggle with mental illness into a national movement.
Learn about MHA’s history
Our timeline
With our beginnings in 1908, we have always been about individuals with lived experience. Our timeline highlights major events in our history.
See our timeline
The Mental Health Bell
In 1953, MHA melted down asylum shackles and chains and recast them into this sign of hope.
Learn more about the Mental Health Bell
Mental Health America today
Mental Health America supports individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions through education, advocacy, and screening.
Learn more about what we do
In the news
April 21, 2026
Mental Health America statement on the Executive Order to Accelerate Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness
March 31, 2026
Mental Health America is deeply concerned by the Supreme Court’s decision to lift ban on conversion therapy
January 26, 2026
Mental Health America statement and resources for mental health during times of community crisis
January 20, 2026
Announcing Mental Health America’s 2026 theme: More Good Days, Together
January 14, 2026
Mental Health America applauds the restoration of funding for lifesaving addiction and mental health services [Updated]
December 18, 2025
Leading mental health organizations applaud reintroduction of PEERS in Medicare Act in Congress
December 11, 2025
A message from Mental Health America leadership
October 22, 2025
Pets and Mental Health Resource Center now available online
October 1, 2025
State mental health rankings released: New York and Hawaii rank highest, Nevada and Arizona rank lowest
September 18, 2025
An important leadership update from Mental Health America
August 28, 2025
New report highlights strategies with greatest potential to reduce overdose deaths in U.S.
August 19, 2025
New report highlights top ways employers can support employee mental health and well-being
August 5, 2025
Mental Health America honors bipartisan group of state legislators as 2025 Mental Health and Substance Use Champions
July 26, 2025
MHA statement on executive order “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets”
June 18, 2025
Mental Health America appoints new board members
May 22, 2025
Five leading advocacy organizations condemn Medicaid cuts, urge Senate to safeguard access to mental health care and substance use treatment
May 15, 2025
Mental Health America and West Fraser team up for Mental Health Month
May 14, 2025
Top employers recognized for workplace mental health
May 13, 2025
Mental Health America urges Congress to protect Medicaid
May 12, 2025
MHA urges Administration to protect parity rules
May 1, 2025
Mental Health America kicks off Mental Health Month, releasing key findings from screening data
April 28, 2025
Buildings across the nation to light up green for Mental Health Month in May
April 24, 2025
MHA Featured in Health Heroes documentary on AP News
April 2, 2025
Statement from leading mental health and substance use organizations on drastic HHS staffing reductions
March 28, 2025
Mental health is at risk: MHA’s concerns over HHS agency restructuring and workforce reductions
February 20, 2025
Mental Health America Honors Gov. JB Pritzker with 2025 Governor’s Leadership Award
January 21, 2025
Applications for Leading Workplace Mental Health Certification Now Open
December 18, 2024
MHA Issues New Report On Social Media And Youth Mental Health
December 4, 2024
Mental Health America Honors State Legislators as Mental Health and Substance Use Champions
November 6, 2024
Mental Health America statement on the 2024 election
October 10, 2024
NACHC Partners with Mental Health America to Support Integrated Behavioral Healthcare at Community Health Centers
October 10, 2024
MHA Releases 2024 Mind the Workplace Report, GenZ and Millennials report the poorerest work health scores
October 8, 2024
Mental Health America and Otsuka Collaborate to Address Mental Health Inequities in New Jersey Communities
September 9, 2024
Mental Health America Applauds Access and Accountability in New Parity Rules
September 3, 2024
Mental Health America releases resource guides to support youth mental health
August 12, 2024
Top Employers Invest in Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices, New Report from Mental Health America Finds
August 6, 2024
Mental Health America honors 10 state legislators championing mental health and substance use disorder policy
July 29, 2024
MHA Releases 2024 State of Mental Health in America Report
July 16, 2024
Mental Health America welcomes new Board chair, appoints new Board member
July 10, 2024
Mental Health America Announces 2024 award winners
July 1, 2024
Mental Health America releases free toolkit for Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Health Awareness Month
June 28, 2024
Mental Health America Statement on Grants Pass v. Johnson Ruling
May 1, 2024
Mental Health America releases analysis of its 2023 online mental health screens; U.S. sees continued rise of anxiety, psychosis and ADHD risk
April 29, 2024
Buildings across the nation to light up green for Mental Health Month in May
February 22, 2024
Mental Health America honors Kansas Gov. Kelly with 2024 Governor’s Leadership Award
December 14, 2023
Leading mental health organizations applaud introduction of Peers in Medicare Act in Congress
December 7, 2023
Mental Health America Young Leaders Council releases report on realities of youth advocacy
December 6, 2023
Mental Health America honors six state legislators championing mental health
November 27, 2023
Mental Health America celebrates GivingTuesday with $100,000 matching gift from Hot Topic Foundation
November 20, 2023
Statement on death of mental health advocate Rosalynn Carter
November 16, 2023
Mental Health America Launches Workplace Mental Health Resource Hub To Meet Organizations Where They Are
October 5, 2023
Mental Health America announces commitment to align for progress in mental health and addiction
September 29, 2023
Mental Health America announces inaugural Youth Policy Accelerator cohort
September 12, 2023
Mental Health America announces new Young Leaders Council
August 24, 2023
MHA, NASMHPD, and NAMI applaud CMS for making it easier to finance vital care for young people with early psychosis
August 22, 2023
Mental Health America, Walgreens launch back-to-school campaign and toolkit, with focus on social media and online communities
August 15, 2023
Mental Health America honors 12 state legislators championing mental health
August 1, 2023
Mental Health America, The Giving Gallery partner to promote mental health awareness through art
July 28, 2023
Mental Health America applauds Administration for inpatient psychiatric facilities final rule
June 23, 2023
Mental Health America appoints new board members
June 21, 2023
Mental Health America applauds Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for adding peer support specialist coverage to commercial plans
May 31, 2023
Mental Health America, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. enter partnership to increase mental health support, decrease stigma in BIPOC communities
May 17, 2023
HHS Asst. Secretary Delphin-Rittmon, author Rachel Aviv, philanthropist Carmela Wallace, among others to speak at Mental Health America Conference
May 9, 2023
Mental Health America Announces 2023 award winners
May 1, 2023
MHA releases analysis of its online mental health screens taken in 2022; 6.3M global screenings taken, nearly 500k took new ADHD screen
April 27, 2023
More than 100 buildings across the nation lighting up green for Mental Health Month in May
April 25, 2023
New report examines neighborhood-level mental health needs in Cook County, Illinois, in first-of-its-kind analysis
March 22, 2023
Paychex Charitable Foundation to Donate $1 Million to Mental Health America
March 9, 2023
Mental Health America Applauds President Biden’s FY 2024 Budget Request and Calls on Congress to Continue its Bipartisan Investment in Mental Health and Substance Use Services
February 8, 2023
MHA statement applauds President Biden’s SOTU remarks on mental health and substance use
December 20, 2022
Mental Health America honors 9 state legislators championing mental health
December 13, 2022
MHA statement on the Respect for Marriage Act
December 2, 2022
Statement on NYC plan to involuntarily hospitalize people with mental illness
November 20, 2022
Statement from MHA: Our hearts are with the LGBTQ+ community
November 16, 2022
Mental Health America, Bazelon Center, and University of Pittsburgh receive $100,000 Engagement Award for joint project on the campus mental health crisis
November 9, 2022
Statement on the 2022 midterm election results
October 20, 2022
Mental Health America receives $3.5 million grant from Elevance Health Foundation for substance use, addiction disorders program
October 13, 2022
MHA Releases Annual State of Mental Health in America Report
September 13, 2022
Mental Health America Releases First-Ever Guide For Effective Practices In Workplace Mental Health, Opens 2022-23 Application Period For Mentally Healthy Workplace Certification
April 19, 2022
Andy Grammer To Keynote MHA’s 2022 Annual Conference
March 16, 2020
5 Ways to Encourage Mental Health in the Workplace
June 11, 2014
MHA In National News
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