03/17/2026
With deep gratitude and heavy hearts, we write to share that Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri (MHA-EM) will be closing its doors after 80 years of service to our community.
This decision was not made lightly. After thoughtful deliberation and careful evaluation of our current landscape, the Board of Directors has made the painful decision to begin the process of winding down operations. We understand the profound impact this organization has had over the decades—and the trust and commitment you have shown in making that work possible.
As part of our thoughtful transition, we will be directing MHA-EM’s remaining resources to FamilyForward. Over the past several months, our leadership and board have been in ongoing dialogue with Family Forward’s executive team, exploring how our missions and approaches to children’s mental health align. Through this process, it became clear that there is deep synergy between our organizations and a shared belief in how best to address childhood adversity, caregiver well-being, and trauma-responsive mental health support
These resources will help FamilyForward expand its capacity by offering clinical modalities and early-intervention approaches that they do not currently provide—ensuring continuity of impact even as MHA-EM closes. We are confident that FamilyForward is well-positioned to carry forward the spirit of our mission with the scale and stability families in our region deserve. We are profoundly grateful for your support of MHA-EM, and we hope you will continue that support through FamilyForward.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your unwavering support has meant more than words can say. Even as this chapter closes, the mission and values of MHA-EM live on—in the systems we strengthened, the young people we supported, and the shared commitment to a community where every child can thrive.
