Mental Health America (MHA) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With more than 300 affiliates nationwide, MHA represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation—everyday and in times of crisis.

Mental Health America was founded in 1909, by Clifford W. Beers, a young businessman who struggled with a mental illness and shared his story in his autobiography “A Mind That Found Itself.” He created a national citizens’ group called the National Committee for Mental Hygiene to promote mental health and improve conditions for children and adults living with these health problems. It was a revolutionary act and attracted prominent national leaders of the time, including the leading national scholars such as William James and Adolf Meyer and prominent families such as the Phipps, Rockefellers and Vanderbilts.

The Mental Health America name represents how fundamental mental health is to the overall health and well-being of every American. The bell image in our logo is a graphic representation of an actual 300-pound bell, the Mental Health America Bell. It was forged in 1953 from the iron chains and shackles that bound people in mental asylums. It serves as a vital reminder of our past and the progress we have made, and a powerful symbol of our vital mission to help all Americans live healthy and productive lives.