What We Do: The Mental Health Association of the North Shore (MHANS) is committed to promoting social-emotional wellness and fighting the stigma of mental illness so people can get the help they need.
Promoting Social-Emotional Wellness
MHANS is working to change negative attitudes about mental health and social-emotional wellness.
Dispelling Stigma
Mental illness is shrouded in stigma. MHANS is working to change public and corporate policies and the attitudes of our nation's opinion leaders and the public toward persons with mental and emotional disorders
MHANS projects include:
Education - Developing a state plan and school curriculum resources for children's mental health and social-emotional wellness from early childhood through grade 12. The new SEL brochure (Social-Emotional Learning) lists resources to assist schools in SEL and mental health programming. Download a copy here.
Anti-Stigma Banners - Sponsoring a street banner campaign to dispel stigma (The sunshine design at left which says "Mental Health is for Everyone" is also the current banner design).
Partnerships - Building networks between community mental health providers and schools.
Training - Workshops for teachers and social service staff on the prevention, early identification and treatment of depression, suicide prevention, bipolar disorder and other emotional disorders.
Teen Outreach - Conducting an annual teen writing competition as a "barometer of teen stress and mental health on the North Shore."
Television - Multi-media outreach/video library on depression, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, bipolar disorder, suicide, trauma and violence.
Speakers Bureau - Presentations for groups and businesses on mental health topics.
Legislation - Advocating for state and national mental health insurance parity and fair treatment of persons with mental illness. Advising people of their insurance rights under the state's new mental health insurance act, P.A. 94-0402.
Emphasis Newsletter - Publishing MHANS newsletter and mailing it out to individuals and organizations throughout the community. For a sample, click here.
Services Referral/Resources - 847-328-6198
MHANS educates and advocates for:
- Increased housing options
- Expanded community prevention, early intervention and treatment programs
- Added research on brain development
- Strengthening the Americans With Disabilities Act.
MHANS makes advocacy easy by keeping track of the issues, providing simple, but effective ways to make a difference, forming coalitions, meeting with legislators, writing letters and making phone calls.
