Home> About Us >Mission, Vision, Statement of Purpose, Guiding Principles
Mission, Vision, Statement of Purpose, Guiding Principles
Mission
MHA, the leading advocacy organization addressing the full spectrum of mental and substance use conditions
and their effects nationwide, works to inform, advocate and enable access to quality behavioral health services
for all Americans. With nearly a century of experience, MHA has an established record of effective national and
grassroots actions that promote mental health, and address mental and substance use issues with
compassionate and concrete solutions. MHA’s actions inform, support and enable mental wellness, and
emphasize recovery from mental illness. Our over 300 affiliates in 41 states and the District of Columbia
represent a potent voice for healthy communities throughout the nation. Our mission:
| Mental Health America is dedicated to promoting mental health,
preventing mental and substance use conditions and achieving victory
over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education,
research and service. |
Vision
Mental Health America envisions a just, humane and healthy society in which all people are accorded respect,
dignity and the opportunity to achieve their full potential through meaningful social inclusion that is free from
discrimination.
Statement of Purpose
Consistent with this mission, Mental Health America’s membership adopted a new Statement of Purpose in
2007, coinciding with the change in the name of the organization.
The purposes of [Mental Health America] the Corporation are to work for wellness, mental health and victory
over mental and substance use conditions through the development of a coordinated citizens' voluntary
movement; to advocate for the improved care and treatment of persons with mental and substance use
conditions; to advocate for improved methods and services in research, prevention, detection, diagnosis and
treatment of mental and substance use conditions; to educate the public about mental and substance use
conditions and their causes and treatments; and to fight stigma and prejudice and promote social justice and
recovery from mental and substance use conditions.
Guiding Principles
Members of the Board of Directors, staff and affiliates identified and confirmed these principles:
- Mental health is a fundamental social justice issue.
- There is no health without mental health.
- Concern for the public’s health demands that disparities in treatment and the disproportionality of the burden of illness be eradicated.
- We require change that is commensurate to the enormous magnitude of behavioral health problems in
multiple aspects of our culture, our communities, our neighborhoods and our families.
- MHA represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation. This movement must engage and involve the general public as well as persons with mental and substance use conditions in all its aspects.
- We emphasize recovery from mental and substance use conditions for all.
- MHA confirms its commitment to
a. Raise its voice for people affected by mental and substance use conditions that have not had a
voice.
b. Diversity and cultural competence in programs, communication, treatment, and relationships.
c. The translation of science into practice.
d. Ensuring that the public’s trust is confirmed through efficient conscientious leadership and
stewardship.
