Mental Health Association in Butler County

WORKING

TOGETHER

FOR

HEALTHIER

 MINDS

140 N. Elm Street

Butler, PA 16001

Local #:

(724) 287 - 1965

(724) 431 - 2207

(724) 287 - 3380

Toll- free #:

1 - 888 - 329 - 0468

Fax #:

(724) 287 - 7090

    The Mental Health Association in Butler County has existed in the Butler County for 55 years, providing services to individuals with mental illness and their families.  In the early days, the agency was composed entirely of volunteers, but in the the middle 1960's, the MHA took the step to employ staff and expand their operations.

    For many years after the organization continued its work with two staff, Executive Director, and a secretary.  Since the mid-1980's, the number of staff has expanded as new programs have been added.  Currently, there are six full-time staff including the Executive Director and eight part-time staff.

    Just exactly what is the Mental Health Association?  The organization began in the early decade of the 20's in the mind of a former mental patient, Clifford Beers.  Having spent some time himself in the wards of a mental hospital, Beers was painfully aware of the stigma and powerlessness that accompanies mental illness.  Having recovered and rejoined his community, he raised his voice to speak on behalf of other patients who were still hospitalized.  Beers invited others to "volunteer to advocate on behalf of those with no voice to be heard" and was joined by countless others across the nation.  Thus began the movement, which later became known as the Mental Health Association.  The mission of the organization was to provide advocacy for those who could not speak for themselves and public education to the community-at-large.

    Understanding its role as that of a catalyst to guide others into understanding and accepting those with mental illness, the Butler Mental Health Association in the early years embarked on on a very ambitious campaign of public education in schools and community.  That remains a major focus of their activities today,  They also began to develop services in the Butler community, which included Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center and Transitional Living, Inc.

    During the decade of the 1990's, the MHA has been involved  with a variety of programs and services, many of them continuing to be manned by volunteers.  The MHA services can be broken into three categories:  those that serve the individuals with mental illness  Adult Advocacy, Compeer, Representative Payee, Guardianship, and Grapevine fiduciary:  those that serve the families of adults and children with mental illness and the community at large:  Class Advocacy, Information and Referral, Public Education; and the Children's Programs:  Voyagers, and Education Advocacy.

    The Mental Health Association is a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers and staff who are interested in and concerned about the issues of mental health and those who struggle with mental illness.

 The mission of the Association is:

 FUNDING

        Pamela V, Grabe, Executive Director

MEMBERSHIP

    Are you interested in becoming a member of the MHA?  As a member donor you will receive the newsletter, "THE CATALYST".  To submit membership, please click on the flower next to the appropriate membership level.  Please make checks payable to the Mental Health Association at 140 N. Elm Street, Butler, Pa. 16001

    You are invited to call the MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION to learn more about the services, which are listed in this website at (724) 287-1965.

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