About Us

History of MHA

1950s: The Mental Health Association (MHA) began its important work. Known then as the Tri-county Mental Health Association, most of the early efforts of the MHA were to provide volunteer services to the Harrisburg State Hospital.

1960s: The MHA worked diligently for the passage of the MH/MR Act of 1966. The organization also provided significant advocacy, promoting the establishment of the first detention room in the Harrisburg area for the purpose of providing a room at the Harrisburg State Hospital for a “quiet, less stressful, calm” place for individuals who were acutely mentally ill.

1970s: Educational workshops were a major component of the MHA’s activities. The MHA found that clergy and law enforcement officials, in particular, showed interest in these pertinent workshops. The workshops provided a basis of knowledge for the understanding of issues surrounding individuals suffering from a mental illness, the impact upon family dynamics and the community at large. During this time the Office of Mental Health announced the closing of admissions to Harrisburg State Hospital. The impact upon the community was significant. With the initiative of the MHA, a public forum convened to discuss the closing of admissions. Due in large part to the initiative and the testimony offered at the forum from various individuals, DPW indicated a partial reopening of admissions. DPW then announced a grant of $100,000 to each of the seven counties affected by the partial closing. This was the first crisis intervention money provided by DPW, a noteworthy result.

1976: The Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act was implemented. This law is still in effect today and requires an individual to be a danger to him/herself or others before an involuntary commitment is imposed.

1990: New medicines, some called SSRI’s, came on the scene and for many recovery was more obtainable.

2000: The MHA established an advocacy staff position. Previous goals of monitoring state and county mental health planning continued. However, with the inception of this position, the Association was also able to provide individual case advocacy for recipients of mental health services, emphasizing self-advocacy whenever possible.

2005: During the 1990’s the closing of many of Pennsylvania’s State Hospitals occurred; and, in 2005 DPW announced the Harrisburg State Hospital would be closed by year end. The Mental Health Association of the Capital Region (MHACR) was instrumental in seeing that the people leaving the State Hospital had the necessary care and support to live successfully in the community. The MHACR had a representative serve on the transition task force. We testified at the January 27th, 2005, DPW hearing on the closing of the State Hospital. The MHACR supported the endeavor as long as it was done right and the money continues to be available to do it right. The MHACR was instrumental in the enactment of Mental Health Advance Directives (MHAD)–Act 194 of 2004. Every person needs a MHAD. The MHACR encourages people to include a MHAD as part of their wellness plan. MHADs were used by DPW for the individuals transitioning into the community.

Today, the MHACR is currently watching, helping, educating and advocating on behalf of all individuals their families and friends living in the tri-county area with a mental illness and working to prevent mental health problems in the community.

The MHACR has been and continues to be the only organization educating and advocating for prevention and mental wellness of the entire population of the tri-county area.

The MHACR is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible