HISTORY
On January 1, 1997, four respected agencies with a total of 100 years of service to the community joined together to create Momentum for Mental Health. The reasons to do this included increased ability to provide a wider array of more easily accessible culturally competent services for people who have a mental illness; strengthen quality improvement, data systems and staff training; improve efficiency of operations; enhance community education capabilities; and continue to implement effective innovative services.
The staff, volunteers and clients of Momentum for Mental Health believe that people with a mental illness can recover, lead responsible and productive lives and contribute to society. We focus on people’s strength, potential and competence. We know that hope is a very important element in achieving recovery. We serve our clients and the community with integrity, dedication, compassion and excellence.
Momentum also supports efforts to educate the public about mental health and mental illness to decrease “myths” about these illnesses and the people who have them; share the facts, which include that the treatment works and what many people think is mental illness is really the effects of not receiving early and effective treatment. Education of the general public is critical because stigma often creates delay in seeking treatment and lack of support for easily accessible treatment services. Both of these are needed to maximize recovery.
