National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles

Principles and Purpose

As part of its mission, the National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles (MHA) strives to increase awareness about mental health needs and access to care by providing information through its Network of Care Web site.

Founded in 1924, MHA is a nonprofit organization that uses four cornerstones - service, information, advocacy and training - to create opportunities for adults and young adults with mental illness to recover to full, equal lives.

MHA serves Los Angeles County, Calif., with sites in Los Angeles, Lancaster and Long Beach. We have two integrated services programs based on our nationally recognized and replicated model, three homeless assistance services and a housing development program. We support a countywide self-help network for people with mental illness. Our Information and Assistance service helps individuals and families find mental health care.

Our training is offered throughout California and across the nation. In our advocacy work to improve care for adults with mental illness and children with emotional problems, we are active on state, local and national levels.

Mission

To fulfill MHA's mission to "ensure that all people with mental illness assume their full and rightful place in the community," we

• Advocate for quality care and the protection of rights for people with mental illness and for children with emotional problems,
• Innovate by designing and demonstrating service and housing models for people with mental illness,
• Replicate effective models through our training and consultation, and
• Educate about mental illness to increase public awareness, improve access to care and end discrimination.

For more information on MHA, please visit our Web site at www.mhala.org.