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.
01/21/2026
On Monday, Acting Executive Director Rita Utz had the honor of serving as an ambassador with Voices for Virginia’s Children at Intergenerational Advocacy Day. Youth from across Virginia came together at the General Assembly to advocate for legislative priorities, including school-based mental health services for K–12 students!
12/30/2025
As we reflect on 2025, we’re grateful for the impact we made together supporting mental health in Virginia. With a few days left in the year, your support helps ensure this work continues into 2026! Please follow the link in our bio to make a contribution towards our mission today.
12/30/2025
A peer specialist recently shared that working on the warm line gives them purpose, allowing them to support others through experiences they understand firsthand. That lived experience is at the heart of peer support.
12/12/2025
The festive season can be a major stressor. You're not alone in feeling the pressure. Save this post to stay aware of common stressors and how to navigate them. 🤍
You can reach our warm line peers at 1-866-400-6428. If you’re feeling like you’re in crisis, call 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
12/09/2025
Join Mental Health Virginia, NAMI Virginia, Vocal Virginia, and Voices for Virginia's Children on Monday, January 26th from 8am - 11am for Mental Health Advocacy Day 2025!
Address legislators with fellow mental health advocates to ensure our state budget and policies support mental health. We will host an in-person event and a virtual event taking place on the same day.
To register and to learn more about the in-person and virtual events, click the link!
***Please note that registration for the in-person event is limited to 50 registrants, and we request your commitment to attending this event.
12/02/2025
You’re hearing directly from one of our Warm Line peer support specialists - the people who hold space on the other end of every call.
Our Warm Line is free and confidential thanks to the donations that sustain the team behind it. Your support helps us provide a safe place to talk, listen without judgment, and connect through shared experience. Together, we’re building a community where no one has to feel alone. 🤝✨
12/02/2025
Thanks to your generosity this Giving Tuesday, we’ve hit 20% of our $5,000 goal. 🎉
Every dollar helps fund essential mental health services for Virginians who need it most.
Let’s keep the momentum going and get to 100% together! 🌟
12/02/2025
Hear directly from our Warm Line Manager about why the Warm Line is a lifeline for so many. This Giving Tuesday, your generosity helps ensure Virginians have access to compassionate peer support when it matters most. Your gift truly makes a difference, find out how to give through the link in our bio 💛
12/02/2025
Hey, it’s 💙
Today’s all about showing up for each other. We’re working toward a $5,000 goal to strengthen mental health support across Virginia. Swipe through to see the real impact a gift can have - every act of generosity makes a difference.
12/01/2025
📅 Save the date!
We’re excited to join three incredible fellow mental health advocates for Advocacy Day as we meet with legislators to push for better funding, stronger programs, and meaningful mental-health-focused policy. Everyone can take part with both in-person and virtual attendance options. Registration link coming soon! 💙
Looking for a quick intro to the VA General Assembly? Watch our 101 webinar - just head to the link in our bio! 🎥✨
11/25/2025
We’re getting ready for Giving Tuesday! A small act can make a big difference because support like ours only grows when we grow together. Check the link to help us keep compassion accessible through our warm line! https://htru.io/SSjZ
11/25/2025
You deserve space to heal. 🌿
(Re)STORE: Self-Compassion offers an interactive wellness session that empowers survivors with mindfulness, resilience, and support.
🖥️ Free 90-minute Zoom training for Virginia crime and trauma survivors on 12/10/2025.
👥 Facilitators: Kevin Kelly, CPRS & Heather Fossen, CPRS Let’s grow, heal, and restore - together.
🔗Registration link : https://mentalhealthvirginia.org/get-information/recovery-education/recovery-education-registration/
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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.