What mental health organizations can I contact for potential collaboration?
As companies develop ideas on how to effectively address mental health in the workplace, looking to existing resources is a great first step. Mental health organizations exist across the United States and beyond. These organizations range in focus, from dedicating their efforts to increasing mental health awareness to the provision of direct-care therapeutic services as independent providers or with hospital systems. Finding the right organizations to reach out to, will vary based on your intended goals and outcomes.
As a starting point, you may consider reaching out to national mental health organizations who often have affiliates, chapters, or local entities that may exist in your community. Organizations listed below have distinct missions, areas of focus, and activities that they engage in. Understanding the organizations’ focal areas may help you determine which organization best aligns with your efforts.
Mental Health America (MHA)
Founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers, Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA’s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. To learn more about MHA, visit: www.mhanational.org.
The organization focuses on public education and mental health awareness, advocacy and public policy initiatives, and direct service provision through MHA affiliates spread across the country. MHA affiliates provide public education, information and referral, support groups, therapeutic services, rehabilitation services, as well as socialization and housing services to those confronting mental health problems and their loved ones. To find the affiliate closest to your organization, please visit: https://arc.mhanational.org/find-affiliate.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The organization focuses on education through educational programs for families and individuals, advocacy, support groups, and public awareness through NAMIWalks. To learn more about NAMI, visit: www.nami.org
Bring Change to Mind
Bring Change to Mind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and to raising awareness, understanding, and empathy. To learn more about Bring Change to Mind, visit: https://bringchange2mind.org/
Active Minds
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States. To learn more about Active Minds, visit: https://www.activeminds.org/
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
DBSA is a leading national organization focusing on mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder. DBSA offers peer-based, wellness-oriented support and empowering services and resources available when people need them, where they need them, and how they need to receive them—online 24/7, in local support groups, in audio and video casts, or in printed materials distributed by DBSA, our chapters, and mental health care facilities across America.
To learn more about DBSA, visit: http://www.dbsalliance.org
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
Founded in 1979, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research. To learn more about ADAA, visit: https://adaa.org/
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care. To learn more about NEDA, visit: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
The Trevor Project
Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. To learn more about Trevor Project, visit:
More Information:
Tips for Planning a Wellness Event
How can we engage our employees in volunteerism?