About MHA

As a response to a need for young individuals to access support and information on various mental health concerns, MHA started our Call Center. In 1990, the Call Center began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, answering local, state and national calls for health and human services. Today, Call Specialists provide information and referrals, supportive listening, and crisis intervention to any person who calls.

As Frederick County grew and the need for affordable and quality child care services increased, MHA formed Child Care Choices (CCC), a child care resource and referral service. CCC provides State-approved professional development opportunities for early education professionals and offers technical assistance for startup, continued operation, or improving the quality of early child care and education businesses.

MHA assumed Counseling Services, a sliding fee scale agency that had been struggling financially. The program now offers counseling to anyone of any age requesting treatment, regardless of ability to pay for service. In addition, the program serves as a clinical placement for graduate students, thus ensuring the future of the mental health profession. MHA is the only place in the county to offer these two services on a full time, year-round basis.

MHA started offering Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training to the community. These trainings prepare people to recognize and respond to signs that someone may be thinking of suicide. In 2006, we expanded and started offering ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

MHA added the Telephone Reassurance Program that offers scheduled, outgoing phone calls to the homebound and elderly.

MHA began its signature fundraising event, the Catoctin Affair.

Supervised Visitation and Monitored Exchange, now called Visitation and Transfer Services, was added was added. The program provides a safe, neutral location for non-custodial parents and their children to build and strengthen healthy family bonds.

MHA added Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in response to changes in MD’s law regarding the role of a child’s attorney. Volunteer CASAs represent the best interests of foster children in the court system and advocates to secure each of them a safe, permanent home.

Child Care Choices expanded and took over operations of Carroll County’s child care resource and referral agency.

Survivors of Suicide Support Group started as a monthly support group for adults who have lost loved ones to suicide.

The PERKS (Partnerships for Emotionally Resilient Kids) program provides on-site assistance in early education programs to promote the social and emotional development of young children, while decreasing or preventing challenging behaviors through an approach that works with educators, children, and parents.

Systems Navigation added to the expanding services available to families. This program assists families who have children with intensive needs, helping the family navigate the complex systems of care. This program has become an integral part of MHA by providing services to the families participating in other MHA programs.

MHA added Healthy Families Frederick, an intensive, in-home education, support and resources to first-time parents and infants to age five.

Mental Health First Aid added to MHA’s services. It is a training course designed to equip non-mental health professionals and the general public to help someone who is experiencing a mental health problem or crisis before appropriate professional or family support arrives.

MHA purchased a building at 226 S. Jefferson Street and started renovations.

Parent Coaching offers in-home or center-based one-on-one coaching for parents referred to MHA from the Department of Social Services.

MHA moved its offices into the newly renovated space at 226 S. Jefferson Street. Many programs were still held off-site due to lack of space.

Walk-In Crisis Services provides free, immediate, face-to-face support for anyone experiencing a non-life-threatening emotional, mental, family or relationship crisis.

MHA opened the completed Community Services Wing and moved off-site programs to our new location.

MHA added a psychiatrist to our complement of services. Counseling Services achieved status as a CARF Accredited Outpatient Mental Health Clinic.

Two programs started focusing resources on families impacted by incarceration—Parent Coaching and Systems Navigation. In addition, MHA partnered with Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership to strengthen and codify the curriculum used to provide classes to parents in the detention center.

MHA’s Walk-In Crisis Services expanded its capacity, availability, and services to 7 days a week for 76 hours, also offering urgent psychiatric appointments, navigators, and a Peer Recovery Specialist

The National Suicide and Crisis Hotline switched to the three-digit number 988, improving access to critical crisis support services.

Child Care Choices expanded to serving all of Western Maryland, including Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties, operating in five counties total.

MHA opened the Walk-In Crisis Care Center at 340 Montevue Lane, making Walk-In Crisis Services available 24/7.

MHA provides advocacy and peer support for families impacted by incarceration, substance abuse, or involvement in the child welfare system through the Building Resilient Families program.

MHA assumes operations of Mobile Crisis Services in Frederick County, providing immediate, face-to-face support and meeting individuals wherever they are, at home or in the community.