As the oldest mental health advocacy organization in Virginia, our mission is to educate, empower, a
MHAV's direct services empower an individual seeking wellness, and include the statewide, peer run Warm Line for mental health support, recovery education, peer support groups, and a professional network for peer recovery specialists. We advocate for a better mental health system and public understanding that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health.
09/05/2025
🌟 We are thrilled to announce the honorees of the 2025 Mental Health Advocacy Awards! 🌟
Join us on September 18 at 5:30 PM at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture for the Victory for Mental Health Awards Dinner & Art Auction as we celebrate these incredible leaders:
✨ Jennifer Fidura – Lifetime Achievement Award
✨ Stephanie Williams – System Innovator Award
✨ Scharnelle Hamlin – Advocacy Visionary Award
🎨 The evening also features our signature art auction, highlighting powerful works that reflect resilience and hope in mental health.
Reserve your seat today and be part of this inspiring celebration of advocacy, community, and creativity. 💙
Last month, the House passed a bill proposing deep cuts to Medicaid, and we fought back. When the Senate introduced its bill proposing even deeper cuts, we fought back even harder. Now that the Senate bill has passed, it’s up to the House to protect Medicaid.
The President is pressuring members of Congress to pass the bill by THIS FRIDAY, July 4. And, as unpatriotic as it sounds to cut millions of Americans’ main source of funding for mental health and addiction services on Independence Day, there is only a slim chance that this bill won’t pass.
This isn't about politics – everyone deserves access to affordable mental health and addiction care, regardless of their economic situation. Now is the time to tell your representatives what Medicaid means to you and your community.
Swipe to understand what's happening and why it matters. Then take 5 minutes to contact your Representatives.
We had a great day at the Armstrong Community Field Day and enjoyed connecting with first responders!
06/18/2025
Each year, MHV hosts a Recovery Art Auction as part of our Victory for Mental Health event. If art is part of your mental health journey, please consider submitting your work! For questions, reach out to Jenny Sappington at jsappington@mentalhealthvirginia.org. Find the link to apply in the comments!
06/12/2025
Join us for a FREE Webinar!
Aetna, Johnson & Johnson, and Mental Health Virginia present:
Transitions of Care
Jun 17, 2025 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (EDT)
Description: An educational presentation about evidence-based practices to reduce hospital readmissions/criminal recidivism among individuals with serious mental illness living in the community. Together, we will review specific examples of successful transitional care programs, explore how a multidisciplinary/collaborative approach can support successful transitions, and identify actionable strategies for potential implementation.
Intended Audience: Peer Recovery Specialists, Mental Health Professionals, Leaders
Presenter: Linda Williams, J&J
Aetna, J&J and Mental Health Virginia present: Intended Audience: Peer Recovery Specialists, Mental Health Professionals, Leaders Description: An educational presentation about evidence-based practices to reduce hospital readmissions/criminal recidivism among individuals with serious mental illness....
05/30/2025
✨ Mental health and substance use disorders often go hand-in-hand — and when they do, recovery may feel even more complicated. These are called co-occurring disorders, and understanding them is the first step toward meaningful support and healing. 🖤
05/27/2025
📢 Don’t forget — this Saturday is our Mental Health Month event at the park! 🌳
Join us for an afternoon of fresh air, fun activities, and feel-good moments for your mind and body.
🗓️ May 31 | 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Harry Daniel Park at Iron Bridge, Shelter #1
What’s happening:
🧘♀️ Yoga (starts at 11!)
🎨 Screen printing
🎯 Corn hole & outdoor games
🍽️ Free food
📚 Mental health resources
✨ Plenty of ways to relax and recharge
It’s FREE and no registration needed — just come hang out!
Tag a friend you want to bring along 👇💚
05/27/2025
Help Keep Hope Alive in Virginia.
Every day, people across our state reach out to Mental Health Virginia looking for connection, resources, and a voice on the other end of the line that reminds them they’re not alone.
Through free programs like the Warm Line, peer support services, and advocacy work, Mental Health Virginia is making mental health care more accessible and stigma-free for our communities.
But they can’t do it without us. Fundings cuts are happening and now more than ever, we need small donations that add up.
Your donation helps:
💛 Keep the Warm Line open and staffed by trained peer specialists
💛 Provide mental health education and resources across the state
💛 Advocate for better, more equitable mental health policies in Virginia
If you’ve ever needed a lifeline — or known someone who has — you know how important this work is.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mental Health Virginia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV) is best known for its recovery education trainings, including CELT & QUEST. We also run the Statewide, Peer-Run Warm Line for Virginians as well as support the professional development network for peer recovery specialists in the Commonwealth (the Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist Network or VPRSN). All our programs are geared toward improving a person's mental health and empowering an individual seeking wellness.
Founded in 1937, MHAV is the oldest mental health advocacy organization in Virginia. We have been associated with our national affiliate since 1951, and we work closely with service providers and peers to complement an individual’s recovery. Our programs include educational retreats for people of lived experience with mental health and/or substance use issues and trauma who are now on a recovery path; a Warm Line telephone service for anyone in Virginia who needs a listening ear or wants a service referral in the state; a professional development network to support Virginia’s peer recovery specialists; and expand advocacy and educational campaigns that promote the voice of people with lived experience to change public policies for the betterment of all Virginians’ lives.
MISSION: To educate, empower and advocate on behalf of individuals, communities and organizations to improve mental health and reduce the conditions which impede mental wellness.
VISION: MHAV’s vision is that all people in Virginia achieve optimal mental wellness.
MHAV advocates for public and private sector services and financing to ensure adequate and appropriate detection, treatment, housing, and rehabilitation programs. MHAV collaborates with consumers, families of consumers, mental health professionals, providers and the public to ensure that policy makers and stakeholders are aware of the concerns and needs of people in recovery.
MHAV also educates the public about mental health and mental wellness to eliminate the stigma which prevents people from receiving the help they need.
MHAV holds educational retreats for people in recovery and hosts a Warm Line for anyone in Virginia with questions about mental health and the services they can access.
