2021 Mental Health Awareness Month

Hi to my friends and family,

May is Mental Health Awareness month and as many of you know, support for the mentally ill is a cause I am passionate about. If you can spare a quick moment, read on....

Without adequate support and care for those who suffer, mental illness can lead to homelessness, drug addiction and incarceration to name just a few of the challenges facing this vulnerable population. I am honored to serve on the board of Mental Health Advocacy Services (MHAS) which is doing its part to help.

I joined MHAS as a volunteer over two years ago and I am in awe of their work. The passion and commitment the staff and team have for this at-risk community is boundless. MHAS gives free legal advice and counsel to low-income people with mental health disabilities, providing support to more than 3000 clients per year, offering invaluable services to the most vulnerable members of our community in the areas of public benefits, housing discrimination, employment barriers, consumer finance, and homelessness prevention. Take a moment to read about some recent success stories--see below. Mental illness, homelessness, COVID-19....the conjunction of the three...it can overwhelm. But what else to do but march foward and help where we can.

I know COVID-19 has been rough on so many. But if you are in a position to offer a little support to this wonderful organization, I will be most grateful.

MHAS' work is driven by the desire to help our clients access the resources they need to achieve autonomy and self-sufficiency, and to live the life they choose rather than one that is chosen for them by others. To achieve this, MHAS has spent the past year strengthening its partnerships with mental health organizations, health care providers, and other community-based organizations so that they can together provide better and more holistic services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Each year, MHAS provides free legal advice and counsel to more than 3,000 low-income people with mental health disabilities in the areas of public benefits, housing discrimination, employment barriers, consumer finance, and homelessness prevention.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, please consider making a donation to help MHAS continue its mission of protecting and advancing the rights of people with mental health disabilities. With your support, MHAS clients—like Tommy and Luz who are highlighted below—will be able to achieve financial stability, improve their health outcomes, and benefit from a fresh start after the pandemic.

Thank your your support!

To learn more, please visit www.mhas-la.org.