In 1957, The Health and Welfare Association (HWA) was asked by the Community Chest to “study and advice the Chest with respect to an integrated plan or organization for the furthering of education and services related to mental retardation, emotional disturbance, and the overall aspects of emotional health and illness” in Allegheny County.
At that time, four separate groups—the Committee on Education on Alcoholism, the Allegheny County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children, the Mental Health Society of Allegheny County and the League for Emotionally Disturbed Children—existed with the objectives to help those affected by these issues, as well as to help Allegheny County better deal with the concerns that arose from them while conserving human values and dollars. All of the groups believed in the effectiveness of early and adequate recognition, treatment and/or services in the lives of the individuals suffering from these diseases; and, each group was also concerned with educating the public, providing channels for volunteer participation, developing needed services and promoting public policy. Their fragmented approach, however, was limiting the effectiveness of their efforts.
Under the supervision of HWA, a committee of representatives from each of these organizations was created and a recommendation for the creation of one all-encompassing agency was made. While each group had their reservations, all agreed to try the plan. On May 14, 1959, the first Board of Directors meeting for United Mental Health Services was held.
In July 1985, the name was changed to United Mental Health, Inc.
In 1999, United Mental Health, Inc. joined forces with the National Mental Health Association and changed its name to the Mental Health Association of Allegheny County to become one of over 300 affiliates of the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. This affiliation enabled us to become an integral part of the national movement toward parity and the removal of stigma.
In 2007, the Mental Health Association of Allegheny County changed its name to Mental Health America—Allegheny County to align itself with the nation organization’s name change to Mental Health America.
