Mental Health Association: Paving The Way To Understanding

Nearly 50 years ago, the National Mental Health Association issued a call to asylums across the country for chains and shackles that were previously used to restrain mentally ill patients.
The group then took these icons of bondage and mistreatment and forged them into a powerful beacon of freedom – the 300-pound Mental Health Bell.
Today, as the symbol of the National Mental Health Association and its affiliates, the Mental Health Bell continues to ring with hope for the millions of Americans with mental illnesses.
Understanding issues surrounding mental health is at the forefront of the mission of the Halifax County Mental Health Association.
In existence since 1962, the Mental Health Association is a non-profit, non-governmental volunteer organization affiliated with both the Mental Health Association of Virginia and the National Mental Health Association. In addition, the group is a United Way organization.
Consider the following:
• Mental illnesses are a major public health problem.
• 51 million American adults suffer from a mental or emotional disorder at some point in their lives, but only one in five affected will seek treatment.
• 11 million children are in need of some type of mental health treatment.
• The Mental Health Association is the only organization that focuses on mental health issues that represent the needs and concerns of all age groups.
The group’s mission is to strive for quality mental health for all county citizens. To achieve this lofty goal, the Association works toward improved care and treatment of people with diagnosed mental illnesses, the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental illness.
The group works to reach these goals through advocacy, education and community services.
In the community, the Mental Health Association offers counseling by qualified mental health counselors, provides Christmas gifts for many of the mentally disabled through Operation Santa Clause, offers mental health-related information and referral services and coordinates support groups for those in need.
In addition, the Association sponsors a forum of community leaders involved in mental health issues.
By educating the community about misconceptions surrounding mental health issues, the group hopes to promote a greater understanding and compassion for those struggling with mental illness.
To this end, the Association offers programs in the community and schools to teach prevention techniques and coping skills, offers educational training for professionals and offers speakers in churches, schools and civic groups.
The Association also advocates for mental health issues on the local, state and national levels and offers support for the development of programs that provide high-quality treatment and services for people afflicted with mental illness.
By joining together with the Mental Health Association, you can make changes in the way mental health issues are perceived by the public.
In effect, you can be responsible for changes such as:
• Eliminating the misconceptions and myths surrounding mental illness.
• Improving the way people of all ages deal with “life crisis” situations.
• Supporting legislation dealing with mental health issues.
• Increasing the community’s awareness of mental health topics.
For more information, contact Irene Gravitt at 572-7590.