Mental Health America of Augusta

A non-profit, non-governmental, grass-roots educational and advocacy, volunteer organization concerned with ALL aspects of the mental health for people of Staunton , Waynesboro , and Augusta County .

Our Vision is to be a catalyst for good mental health and appropriate treatment of those who suffer from mental illness in our community.

Our Mission is to improve the mental health of our community by providing programs that promote mental well-being;  facilitating access to mental health services for the public;  and communicating effectively with the public regarding mental health issues.

Our Goals 

• To be a mental health resource
• To provide information leading to direct services
• To educate the citizens that good mental health and wellness are essential to good overall health
• To collaborate with legislators and other mental health advocacy groups
• To collaborate with other agencies as they relate to mental health
• To create a more diverse Board of Directors

Programs and Services:

Mental Health America of Augusta Information and Referral:
A phone resource to assist the public with mental health needs: counseling, support groups, employee assistance, and public agencies as well as communicating information of MHA-A programs and services.

Phone: (540) 886-7181 or (540) 949-0169

Bereavement Program:
A program to assist bereaved persons by providing accessible information re: coping skills and support groups. A free bereavement packet consisting of a cover letter from the MHA-A recognizing their loss and a list of support groups and a Coping With Bereavement brochure is sent to a family member from the obituaries in the newspaper.

MHA-A Pro Bono Counseling Program:
A short-term crisis intervention for MHA clients in crisis who need immediate treatment to return to their previous level of functioning. The Pro Bono program provides free individual counseling sessions to children, adolescents, and adults who do not have insurance coverage with mental health benefits.

Year One... for Newlyweds:
A free monthly series of seven brochures sent to newlyweds beginning in their third month of marriage, to promote marriage and family wellness. By providing education to couples early in their marriage in hopes of developing good healthy relationship patterns, and preventing separation or divorce and / or dysfunctional families. The brochures address potential problems in the first year of marriage: i.e., Communication, Sex, Children, Finances, In-Laws, Friendships, and Re-marriage.

Education:

"The Pearl of Happiness" Program:
A self-esteem program for fourth graders which enables them to grow into mentally healthy adults, by educating them on good self-esteem , thus reducing drug/alcohol abuse, fighting among students, and teen pregnancy because of a lack of self-esteem.  Students learn that happiness is not found in places, things, or circumstances, but it is in their heart, the pearl that resides in them. 

Support Groups:

Bipolar Support Group:
A support group for individuals and or their family members who have been diagnosed as bipolar which meets every Thursday, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at the Valley Hope Counseling Center .  In Waynesboro , call 886 - 7181 or 949 - 0169 for additional information.

Anxiety Disorder Support Group:
A support group for individuals and or their family members who have been diagnosed as suffering from anxiety disorder which meets every Wednesday, 5:00-6:00 p.m., at the Valley Hope Counseling Center .  In Waynesboro , call 886 - 7181 or 949 - 0169 for additional information.