OUR MISSION

Mental Health America of Los Angeles works to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

OUR VALUES

During team discussions across the agency with our nearly 400 staff members, we identified the following values as being most representative of MHALA:

 

  • Innovation
  • Hope
  • Integrity
  • Equity
  • Collaboration
  • Transparency
  • Empowerment
  • Compassion
  • Respect

OUR MODEL

We serve adults and transition-age youth who are facing mental health needs and do not have financial resources, including Veterans and people who are or have been homeless.

MHALA uses an integrated, comprehensive service model that meets each individual where they are and tailors services to each person’s needs. We work in partnership with those we serve. Our services are strength-based and delivered by teams of interdisciplinary professionals. 

We believe that people can and do recover.   

MHALA has advocated for systems changes for decades and has provided training to thousands of individuals locally, nationally, and internationally. We provide services at multiple sites in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, the Antelope Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley.

Paper cutouts holding hands

OUR SERVICES

A Century of Commitment to Mental Health

1924

MHALA is founded as the Mental Hygiene Committee.

1950s

Mental Health Americas across the nation fight to bring more humane mental health care to people in state hospitals.

1984

Working with volunteers from the National Association of Mental Illness, MHALA starts Step UP, the first mental health rehabilitation-focused organization on LA’s Westside.

1989

The organization begins service in the Antelope Valley.

1990

MHALA is chosen to design and implement an integrated services approach in Long Beach, which grows into a national model for health care.

1992

MHALA begins to offer training.

1999

MHALA is selected to pilot one of the state’s largest AB 34 programs, offering comprehensive care for people with mental health needs who are homeless, leaving jail, or at risk of homelessness or prison.

2000

MHALA begins to offer services to transition-age youth.

2002

The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health selects MHALA as a model to study.

2002

Milestones of Recovery Scale (MORS) is created.

2005

The organization creates Clifford Beers Housing to address the need for supportive housing in LA County.

2006

The MHALA Wellness Center opens.

2007

The Jump Start program begins.

2012

MHALA launches Operation Healthy Homecoming for Veterans and their families and the Homeless Innovations Project.

2017

MHALA begins serving the Santa Clarita Valley.

2018

MHALA launches peer program for LGBTQ youth.

2018

MHALA launches the HealthLink Program in partnership with Dignity St. Mary Medical Center to provide needed social services to frequent utilizers of emergency room services.

2019

MHALA launches the South County trauma collaborative.

2019

MHALA launches the Financial Wellness Program Long Beach.