The Mental Health Association (MHA) of Montgomery County sponsors and implements advocacy, education and community service programs that promote mental health and wellness and support those with mental illness. A private, nonprofit the MHA has served Montgomery County residents for 50 years. The MHA currently manages 10 major direct service programs for children, teens, families, senior adults and individuals with long-term mental illness. Over 1,000 volunteers implement programs under the direction of the MHA professional staff. To help further the philosophy that mental health is as important as physical health, the MHA offers affordable, valuable and timely seminars on a variety of topics to many segments of the community.

Description:
The Mental Health Association (MHA) sponsors and implements advocacy, education and community service programs to promote mental health and to support those with mental illness. A private, nonprofit, United Way agency, the MHA has served Montgomery County residents for 50 years. The MHA currently manages 10 major direct service programs for children, teens, families, senior adults and individuals with long-term mental illness. Over 1,000 volunteers implement programs under the direction of the MHA professional staff.

The MHA is an affiliate of the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) and the Mental Health Association of Maryland.
The MHA coordinates the local NMHA Campaign for America's Mental Health - Montgomery County Coalition.

History:
With an impressive history of 50 years of service in Montgomery County, the Mental Health Association is a respected mental health and mental illness resource. The Association continually strives to be recognized in Montgomery County as the premiere advocacy, education, and service authority working to enhance mental wellness and workplace productivity by introducing constructive work/life and mental health practices.

The MHA’s missions of education & advocacy and direct service provide a unique opportunity to advocate the needs of community residents to elected officials and policy makers at the local, state, and national levels. Affiliation with the Mental Health Association of Maryland and the National Mental Health Association provides important links to local, state and national lobbying forces.

Sound management and positive outcomes are key to the success of any organization. As an Association, we are continually working to maintain programmatic excellence through evaluation, review of current research, and dynamic strategic planning. The MHA has been recognized for the accomplishments of its staff and volunteers by a variety of outside organizations. At a ceremony on Capitol Hill in April 2004, Montgomery County was recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with an Acts of Caring Award for a partnership between the MHA, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Most recently the MHA was awarded another NACo award in 2006 for its participation on the Bi-County Gang Task Force for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

The MHA’s leadership has also been recognized for excellence over the years. Most Recently Executive Director, Sharon Friedman, received the 2003 "Hometown Heroes" award by WETA - Channel 26 and 90.9 FM for being an "unsung hero". The MHA received the 2006 “Workplace Excellence” award from the Alliance for Workplace Excellence. In addition, the MHA was selected as a “honorable mention” by the Washingtonian magazine in its November 2005 issue, following the “Great Place to Work” award received by the MHA in its October 2001 issue. The MHA was selected because of its satisfied staff, interesting work, good benefits, access to employee development and community involvement.

Contact people:

Alisa Heath, Program Director, (phone), (email) Marsha Teichman, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)

Address:

1000 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20851 (See a map)

Directions:

FROM 270: Take the Route 28 Exit (West Montgomery Avenue) heading east towards Rockville. Follow through heart of downtown Rockville and the road will also become Veirs Mill Road. Once cross over 355, take left at next. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Twinbrook,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15   Nearest Bus Stop: 45 Ride On, 0 minute walk