The Center for Policy and Advocacy of the Mental Health Associations of NYC and Westchester

January 2009

The Mental Health Association of New York City and The Mental Health Association of Westchester County have joined together to establish The Center for Policy and Advocacy to promote the development of, and to advocate for mental health policies that anticipate future mental health needs.

The Center seeks to improve mental health policy through the development of long-term mental health policy recommendations, advocacy for improvements consistent with these recommendations, and enhancing public awareness of critical mental health policy and funding issues. The Center also serves as a hub for mental health policy information or policymakers, advocates, journalists, and others who need information essential to making responsible mental health policy decisions. The Center provides consultation and training regarding policy, finance, management, and advocacy for organizations, advocates, and policy makers concerned about mental health, and finally, foster improved communication and cooperation among stakeholders in the mental health system throughout the Metropolitan New York City area.