For more than four decades, the Mental Health Association of New York City has led the way in mental health services, advocacy, and education, for thousands of New Yorkers: fighting for policy improvements, minimizing the stigma of mental illness, and helping children and adults lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Each year, the MHA-NYC holds an event that brings together hundreds of people from the business and healthcare fields in a special evening to raise awareness and resources for the organization and its programs. The event shines a spotlight on an aspect of mental health and draws attention to the MHA-NYC's programs, which come to the aid of New Yorkers and other Americans in emotional crisis. The evening is the signature event in New York's mental health community.

This year's MHA-NYC gala -- Investing In Our Future -- will be held on May 10th, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. For more information about the event, contact Lori Florio: (718) 937-7728 or lori@loriandco-events.com.

Emotional support is available 24/7 for individuals and families in the New York City metropolitan area and around the United States who are from the affected countries, or who have relatives or friends in Chile, Japan or Haiti who may have been killed, injured, or left homeless.  The Mental Health Association of New York City can assist by guiding people who may be affected by these disasters to available treatment and emotional support programs in the New York City area by calling 1-800-LIFENET, or by going to www.800lifenet.org. You can find additional resources here.

The Veterans Mental Health Coalition of New York City Presents an upcoming lecture: Family and Parenting for Service Members & Veterans. This event will be held on Friday, March 26 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm at Stony Brook University's Manhattan Campus. There will be presentations addressing the military & families; a child's reactions to their parents' deployment and return; and what can be done and what is being done to help. read more

MHA-NYC and the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance are pleased to announce that the fourth annual GMHA conference is taking place May 7, 2010, at the New York Marriot at the Brooklyn Bridge. This year, the conference theme will focus on "Caregiving in the 21st Century: Complex Roles, Innovative Practices," with keynote speaker Carol Levine, MA, Director, Families and Healthcare Project, United Hospital Fund.

We invite you to join us in support of our fourth annual Geriatric Mental Health Conference by becoming a presenter at, sponsor of, and/or exhibitor at the event. read more

The past year has been one of innovation and increased service at the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC) as the organization continues to expand its impact through its three core areas: service, advocacy, and education. While MHA-NYC remains focused on New York City, its reputation for first-rate programs is increasingly extending its reach, as national initiatives seek the organization's help in meeting broader human need. As a result, MHA-NYC has truly come a local organization with national impact. The following report describes the accomplishments of MHA-NYC's life-saving programs and breadth of services. These results are the work of MHA-NYC and that of Link2Health Solutions, its wholly-owned nonprofit subsidiary. View the 2009 Annual Report here.

Building Bridges to Health, Home and Families. Event honored Bob and Lee Woodruff. Tuesday, June 2, 2009. View pictures of the event here.

MHA-NYC, in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of NYC and the New York Academy of Medicine has formed the Veterans Mental Health Coalition of NYC. The mission of the Coalition is to promote the mental health and well-being of NYC service members, veterans, and their families through advocacy, education, collaboration, and access to a comprehensive array of local services. For more information or to join or mailing list, please contact: center@mhaofnyc.org.

MHA-NYC administers the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health & Substance Use Services, funded by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The NYC 9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health and Substance Use Services provides NYC residents in all five boroughs with financial assistance for outpatient mental health and substance use services.

The program works by reimbursing individuals, or their providers, for the costs of mental health treatment and medications. It's easy to apply, there are no income or citizenship requirements. Reimbursement is retroactive to January 2, 2007. To learn more about the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program call 1877-SEP11MH (1877-737-1164)

MHA-NYC is the administrator of a new state toll-free telephone hopeline service 1-877-8-HOPENY offering help for alcoholism, drug abuse or problem gambling. The new hopeline was unveiled by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. It offers assistance from clinically trained professionals on a confidential basis 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Link2Health is now a member of N11/8XX Essential Services Interoperability Council (NESIC), a newly formed organization which facilitates the collaboration of telephone services such as 911, 411 and 1-800 numbers that serve public and private industries.

MHA-NYC launched At-Risk, an interactive training program that teaches faculty how to identify, approach, and refer at-risk students (those in psychological distress who may pose a danger to themselves or others) to counseling services. City University of New York (CUNY) is the first to have enrolled 7000 faculty. At-Risk is a program of Link2Health Solutions and was developed in partnership with Kognito Interactive.