…increasing awareness, improving access to care

In our education services, MHA provides assistance in finding mental health care and information about mental health and mental illness. Our goals are to create greater awareness about mental illness and greater acceptance for seeking treatment.

		Help in Finding Mental Health Services is provided by MHA’s Information and Assistance team. Our oldest community service, we give caring, confidential help in English and Spanish to individuals, families and human services workers who call us for information about finding mental health services in Los Angles County.
		Friendship Line is Los Angeles County’s first telephone help line run by and for people with mental illness. A service of Project Return Peer Support Network: The Next Step, the Friendship Line offers non-crisis assistance. Our toll-free line is staffed by trained peer supporters who offer reassurance and information about resources. They make connections to crisis lines if needed. Open every day of the year, the Friendship Line operates from 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
		Expressing Feelings Through Art is an annual art contest and exhibit that encourages high school students to explore their emotions and brings to public attention the mental health needs of young people. This project, started in 1982, is a collaboration with the nonprofit Light Bringer Project in Pasadena and is primarily funded by the W.M. Keck Foundation.
		Learn About Mental Illness by using the link to the national Mental Health America’s fact sheets. Please note that we are providing these materials for informational purposes only, and they are not meant to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with your physician or mental health professional. If you are in need of mental health care, we encourage you to seek treatment and offer our assistance to help you locate services.