Mental Health Association Of Hanover

Causes: Education, Graduate & Professional Schools, Health, Health Care, Mental Health, Mental Health Associations

Mission: Hanover Mental Health Association, Inc. is an affiliate of the National Mental Health Association, and the Mental Health Association of Virginia. These organizations are all active in advocacy for mentally ill individuals and their families. The issue of health insurance parity for mental illness is one example of an issue we have worked to support. The mission of the Hanover organization was revised in 1999. We are "To promote the general well-being, and specifically the mental health, of the community through the provision of education, support, services, and advocacy." The organization's mission did not change but was reworded. As evidenced by its early work, we provided advocacy, first for children. Before the US government passed laws requiring testing of school children, our organization provided that testing free of charge to our county children. Throughout the 1970's, we did political advocacy for that testing and for other services for mentally handicapped or emotionally disturbed members of our community. We helped to get Virginia legislation providing Virginia local Community Services Boards to provide crisis and other outpatient clinical services. In 1986, we began a Fountain House or clubhouse model psychosocial rehabilitation program for seriously mentally ill adults. This day program is called SUNRISE HOUSE. The Sunrise House mission is to provide a structured program that encourages good general health and promotes the mental health of its members.