The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is proud to have numerous nonprofit businesses in our membership. Learn more about our May Member of the Month, Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) below.
The Mental Health Association of Frederick County builds a strong foundation of emotional wellness for the whole community by preparing resilient children, securing vulnerable families and standing with people to face crises together.
2022 CASA Graduates
MHA History
The Mental Health Association of Frederick County (MHA) has served the community as a private, non-profit organization since 1965. The agency has grown and evolved continuously in the 50+ years since their founding. MHA now supports the whole community by preparing resilient children, securing vulnerable families, and standing with people to face crises together.
Some highlights from the past 50+ years include:
1985—As a response to a need for young persons to access support and information on various mental health concerns, MHA started their Call Center. In 1990, the Call Center began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and answers local, state and national calls for health and human services. Call Specialists provide information and referral, supportive listening and crisis intervention to any person who calls.
1996—MHA started offering Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training to the community. These trainings help people learn to be suicide alert and to intervene when someone has thoughts of suicide. In 2006, they expanded and started offering ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
2010—MHA purchased a building at 226 S. Jefferson Street and started renovations.
2020—MHA’s Walk-in Behavioral Health Service expanded its capacity, availability and services. It is now available 7 days a week for 76 hours and offers urgent psychiatric appointments, navigators and a peer recovery specialist.
Call Center
MHA’s Mission
MHA wants the community to be able to envision a future where children can grow and thrive without fear, where good mental health is valued, where people of all ages know when and how to seek help for emotional or family problems without shame, and where everyone will have access to the services they need without barriers. They do this in many ways: Preparing Resilient Children; Working with parents, educators and childcare providers to develop physically and emotionally strong children. Securing Vulnerable Families; Ensuring safe environments and supportive relationships for children in troubled family situations. Facing Crises Together; From suicide to abuse, they make sure no one has to face their most difficult moments alone. Supporting Our Whole Community; Through education and advocacy, they promote mental health awareness and services for the benefit of the community we share.
2022 Catoctin Affair
Volunteer
There are numerous volunteer opportunities where community members can have direct contact with clients, through the Supervised Visitation program, they can become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), or volunteer as a crisis specialist in our 24 Hour Call Center.
There are opportunities to serve on a variety of committees to include the planning committee for their annual fundraising event, Catoctin Affair.
Donate
MHA supports families, saves lives, and makes our community whole. They are here for everyone. Regardless of age or circumstances, our programs are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great time to donate to MHA. Donate here.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.