1509 S. Hawthorne Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Telephone: (336) 768-3880
Fax : (336) 768-3505


 

In 1909, Clifford Beers, a recovering patient with a mental illness, founded the National Mental Health Association.  Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the National Mental Health Association continues to strive to fulfill Clifford Beers' goals, spreading tolerance and awareness, improving mental health services, and promotion of mental wellness.

The logo of the Mental Health Association is the "Mental Health Bell".  Silhouetted behind the bell is the profile of a person.  During the early days of mental health treatment, asylums often restrained persons with mental illnesses by using iron chains and shackles around their ankles and wrists.  In the early 1950's, the National Mental Health Association issued a call to asylums across the country for their discarded chains and shackles.  On April 13, 1953, at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, the 300-pound "Mental Health Bell" was recast from these inhuman bindings into a sign of hope.  Today, the "Mental Health Bell" rings out hope for improving mental health and achieving victory over mental illness.

The Mental Health Association in Forsyth County was established in 1946 as the Forsyth Mental Hygiene Society.  Chartered in 1955, The Mental Health Association in Forsyth County has provided, over the decades, a variety of services to consumers with mental illness as well as to their families and friends.  These same people, staff and volunteers alike, have worked throughout the community and region to promote mental health and wellness and to improve the attitudes towards these people who have a mental illness.

In recent years, The Association has shifted its emphasis so that our efforts are equally divided between consumer and family services, community education services and legislative/systems advocacy.  MHA staff and volunteers are proud of this shift for it allows the Association to provide vital services for consumers and families as well as having an important role in being the leader in mental health advocacy in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community.

A strong, committed and diverse Board of Directors governs the Association.  All who serve on the Mental Health Association's board are proud of our programs and services, yet support the efforts of the staff to provide cutting edge services on behalf of children and adults with mental health needs.