Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition
The Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) is a statewide member organization that unifies diverse local voices to advocate with the goals of (1) increasing awareness of issues impacting people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders and (2) advancing policies that positively impact Ohioans affected by mental illnesses and addiction disorders.
NEW REPORT: Behavioral Health in Ohio: Improving Data, Moving Toward Racial & Ethnic Equity
The MHAC in partnership with Central State University, Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence, Inc. (MACC), & Ohio University released the second installment of Behavioral Health in Ohio: Improving Data, Moving Toward Racial & Ethnic Equity. This installment, Opportunities for the Workforce, focuses on Ohio's behavioral health workforce. More specifically, this report analyzes the data that demonstrates that the current behavioral health workforce does not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Ohio's population. Download it today!
MHAC Statement on Racism and the Behavioral Health Needs of BIPOC
(Released June 11, 2020) - The MHAC recognizes the impacts of systemic and systematic racism on the behavioral health needs of Ohioans who are Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). These impacts have traumatic physical, emotional, and psychological manifestations. We understand our responsibility to continue educating ourselves and those we interact with on the ways that racism and socioeconomic disparities impact BIPOC, and that our collective advocacy priorities must reflect the importance of this issue.
It is important that we work together to ensure all Ohioans have access to behavioral health services. Together, we must move purposefully and with great conviction and urgency to abolish systemic inequities and deep seeded prejudices and biases that have been allowed to fester for far too long with tragic consequences. Join us by becoming a voice for change and creating the world we know should exist. We know we can do it together.
Click here to read the MHAC's complete statement on racism.
Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition
advocates for adequate financial and political support of mental health and addiction treatment and supportive services and for systemic change to improve access to behavioral health services. A part of this advocacy is educating the community, public officials, and key constituencies about crucial issues impacting Ohioans with mental health or addiction disorders and the impact of untreated behavioral health disorders on the community.The MHAC works locally and statewide to advocate for better services, systems, and supports for the more than 3 million Ohioans who have a mental health or addiction disorder.
The MHAC conducts and shares research and other information with decision makers and advocates, engaging them in issues that impact Ohioans with mental health and addiction disorders and their families.