The Mental Health Association's You Are A Lifeguard suicide prevention initiative has launched two new PSAs in partnership with the Orange County Government to bring further awareness to the epidemic of youth suicide in central Florida. According to the National Institute of Health, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for 11-24 year-olds and 40% of parents don't even know their children are suffering. 

Take the Pledge today and help us build a network of "Lifeguards" - peers, parents and family, teachers, coaches and community advocates that have the knowledge and training to recognize and help people around them who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. 

Reserve Your Seats Today!
Over the past 24 months a historic number of our neighbors have experienced traumatic loss due to the ravages of COVID-19. With 367,358 Central Floridians in recovery from COVID-19, new research has found that nearly 1 person in 3 diagnosed with COVID-19 is also diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months. That’s 110,208 Central Floridians now trying to manage a mental health condition with many of them not having access to health insurance. These people are afraid to share their common secret. They are sick and weary, searching for hope and healing. 

Please accept this as my personal invitation for you to join us on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, for our annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon. A noted community event for the past 11 years, this year’s luncheon will once again be hosted by Orlando Sentinel Columnist, Scott Maxwell, with a keynote by Susan Kelechi Watson, 2022 NAACP Image Award Nominee and Critics’ Choice Award Nominee as well as 2018 and 2019 Screen Actors Guild Award Winner for her role as Beth Pearson in the acclaimed NBC drama "This is Us". The Luncheon will also feature the presentation of the prestigious Candice Crawford Community Champion Award to Orange County Sheriff, John W. Mina and City of Orlando Chief of Police, Orlando Rolón and the Community Heroes Award to Orange County Mental Health and Homeless Issues, Division Manager, Donna Wyche.

On behalf of myself, our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and most of all, our patients, I thank you for your consideration and I hope to see you on May 25th!

Marni Stahlman
President & CEO
The Mental Health Association of Central Florida
Reserve your seats or sponsorship today:
2021 was a
standout year...
In 2021, we helped provided 969 free psychiatric visits for the uninsured, connected 2,176 patients with mental health services, trained 184 Guardian Advocates to represent 497 involuntarily hospitalized individuals, had more than 1200+ attendees to our support groups and trainings and more!
Welcome Ariel Cavazos
to our board!
Please join us in welcoming Ariel Cavazos, Associate at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. to our Board of Directors! We are excited to have her expertise and commitment is supporting our organization's mission.
MHACF Membership opportunities available.
Spring is the perfect time for mental health providers and community agencies to start reaching more clients than ever through an MHACF membership. For a low annual fee, you can receive partnership benefits through our Connections program.
Project Cheer 2021
was a success!
2021 saw a record number of 390 Project Cheer packages delivered to individuals, over the holidays, that were in a behavioral health hospital!
 
A BIG Thank you to Unbound Disability Claims, LLC, Rosen Centre, IATSE District 14, Frito-Lay, Positive Behavioral Solutions and everyone who has supported and volunteered to make Project Cheer 2021 such a success!
 
Let’s get started for Project Cheer 2022! Contact Jennifer at JHelriggle@mhacf.org or call
(407) 898-0110 x102 for partnership opportunities.
Our new website is live!
Thank you to the Orange County Government Neighborhood Services for partnering with us to launch our new website! Featuring a new events calendar, sleek design, more information than ever and the ability to be translated into over 100 languages we are excited to make MHACF accessible to more people than ever!
And we want 2022 to be even bigger!
This year, with the help of people like you, we can help more uninsured patients, connect more clients with mental health referral services and support groups and educate more Lifeguards and Guardian Advocates.
The Mental Health Association of Central Florida | www.mhacf.org
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION & FINANCIAL INFORMATION of the MHACF MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. (Registration #CH 1245)