MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA of GREATER TAMPA BAY, Inc. is an affiliate of MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA (MHA) the oldest and largest mental health advocacy organization in the United States.

Our programs are in advocacy, education, research and services.  We are a resource for the Mental Health Community in the Greater Tampa Bay region and the State of Florida.  This website is one of the tools we contribute to help strengthen that Mental Health Community and our various community partners.
 
An affiliation exists with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida.  Through that affiliation we can better access academic resources and bring services from our organization to the University of South Florida community.  Therefore, we have a true "academic/advocacy" partnership.
 
We make this WEB Site available to the Tampa Bay Mental Health Community as a virtual TOWN SQUARE.  This includes online social networking tools to help build a sense of community for all stakeholders in mental health and substance abuse reform.  Each person with access to the site's tools has a private blog, an ability to read the blogs of others, ability to participate in online "groups" about specific issues and topics of interest, and to email and IM other site members.
 
Participation is possible through memberships and donations: 
 
BRAINTROOPERS: Our "BrainTrooper" corps is the general membership of our chapter.  "Braintroopers" are entitled to membership to our online TOWN SQUARE.  Being a "BrainTrooper" entitles you to general announcements about chapter activities; calls to action for advocacy or volunteer needs of our chapter or other community partners.
 
The BRAINTRUST:  Our "BrainTrust" is made up of community leaders who help the Chapter with funds, fundraising, and supporting our issues.  BrainTrust members are entitled to membership to our online TOWN SQUARE and a special online group home for the BrainTrust.  Being on our BrainTrust entitles you to general announcements about chapter activities; calls to action for advocacy or volunteer needs of our chapter or other community partners; invitations to special events and meetings on Mental Health Issues, participation in "stewardship" of funds raised by the BrainTrust through recommendations on the use of those funds to the Chapter's Board of Directors.
 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:  Money is not an issue to be part of the Tampa Bay Region Mental Health Community.  Anyone can join our online TOWN SQUARE without cost of becoming a BrainTrooper or member of our BrainTrust.
 
The executive director of Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay, Inc. is Scott F. Barnett.  Scott is a consumer of mental health services, a long time activist, former National Alumni President of the University of South Florida.  He serves on the executive committee of the Friends of Research in Psychiatry and was its president for 2 years.    Scott is also an assistant professor of Psychiatry and teaches and works in the arenas of forensic psychiatry and the brain in society. He is also a frequent lecturer at the USF Center for Entreprenuership.
 
He has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1972.  Scott can be reached by email to execdirector@mhagreatertampabay.org.
 
Scott works under the direction of our Board of Directors and the Chapter officers.
 
Our chapter president is Richard B. Wagner.  Rick is a long time Mental Health America advocate.  He has been tapped to be the first Chairperson of the new MHA Florida Public Policy Council; bringing to Tallahassee statewide advocacy representing all Florida Chapters 
 
Our program goals for 2008 include:
 
CAMPAIGN FOR AMERICA'S MENTAL HEALTH:  Throughout the year we have programs to educate the public about mental health and wellness.  May is Mental Health Month and we have special and concentrated programs about that celebration as well.  The CAMPAIGN FOR AMERICA'S MENTAL HEALTH is an initiative of our national organization.  Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay is one of 40 partners named from the over 350 affiliates of MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA. 
 
BRAINSTORMING COUNCIL:  This is a program hosted by Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay to bring mental health organizations from the Greater Tampa Bay Region together to discuss common issues, find collaborations, and to forge partnerships on various programs, issues and calls to action to advance our society through the cause of Mental Wellness.  Community stakeholders and organizations have adopted the Brainstorming Council as a key element to promote collaboration and joint alliances on key issues.  A Voter's Registration drive is under way for the 2008 Election Season.  Also, Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay initiated a "CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA's MENTAL HEALTH" to present to candidates for Florida's Legislature in the coming election.  This will be a major effort to educate the interested voting public during the 2008 Election Season.
 
VOLUNTARY EQUITY IN HEALTH INSURANCE:  We are calling upon business leaders to view the evidence that early detection and treatment of common mental health challenges (such as depression) is not only good for employees, but demonstrated by research to be good for the bottom line.  There are increases in productivity and reductions in absenteeism which directly relate to better overall business performance of a commercial enterprise.  Participants will be recognized for there enlightened approach to this cause, and the resulting expansion of mental health coverage in business health plans.
 
mpower:  The MHA has a great program to reach young adults, college students and teenager through music.  The "mpower" program of the MHA has recruited musical artists and groups to help this audience reduce the inappropriate negative stigma associated with having a form of mental illness.  Through this outreach we hope to improve and save lives; as well as recruit current and future advocates of our cause.
 
 
NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH