Mental Health America of California (MHAC)

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) Also known as the Mental Health Association in California (MHAC) MEET OUR LEADERSHIP

Heidi Strunk is MHAC's Chief Executive Officer.

MHAC works to increase and improve access to appropriate mental health services and support for all Californians before crisis. In partnership with the MHAC Board, Heidi is responsible for the success of MHAC. Together, they assure MHAC's relevance to the community, accomplishment of MHAC's mission and vision, and accountability to MHAC's diverse constituents. Heidi is also responsible for the overall management of MHAC and day-to-day operations. Curtis Paullins is MHAC's Executive Administrator. Curtis is responsible for assisting the CEO with all organizational and program related activities. Marisol Beas is the Project Coordinator for our program, the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN). MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee:

Carol Hood, Chair
Andrew Rubin, Treasurer
Faith Richie, Chair-Elect
Beverly Abbott, Secretary, Immediate Past Chair

Board Members-at-Large:

Terezie Bohrer
Zima Creason
Angelica Garcia
Jim Gilmer, M.A. Steve Leoni
Hannah Lou
Esteban Nunez
Dr. Marvin Southard

Affiliate Representatives:

Annmarie Cameron
Kathryn Davies
Mark Salazar
Daphyne Watson

Join the LIVE Program for a powerful day of celebration, connection, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental wellness. We're brin...
08/18/2026

Join the LIVE Program for a powerful day of celebration, connection, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental wellness. We're bringing together community members, advocates, service providers, and allies from across California to strategize, connect, and mobilize for collective action.

Expect powerful storytelling, direct dialogue with behavioral health leaders, and an interactive advocacy with real tools for real change.

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: The California Endowment | 1414 K St #500, Sacramento, CA 95814
Food: Lunch provided | Free to attend

Attention: Registration closes on September 2nd — LIMITED SEATING!

Your voice matters. Come make history with us!

Register now: https://form.jotform.com/261245166673157
Questions? Email: [email protected]

+MentalHealth
Commission for Behavioral Health Stonewall Alliance Chico San Francisco AIDS Foundation MoPRIDE The Sacramento LGBT Community Center

Join us at Badlands tonight from 6:30PM to 8:30PM for our harm reduction pop-up event! Our LGBTQ+ advocacy program LIVE ...
06/26/2026

Join us at Badlands tonight from 6:30PM to 8:30PM for our harm reduction pop-up event! Our LGBTQ+ advocacy program LIVE (LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment), and the The Sacramento LGBT Community Center are working together to connect the community directly with behavioral health and wellness resources.

SB 28 significantly expands CARE Court, a legal mechanism that forces individuals into behavioral health care. Thank you...
06/23/2026

SB 28 significantly expands CARE Court, a legal mechanism that forces individuals into behavioral health care. Thank you Disability Rights California for developing this 1 pager. California must invest in the community based services that actually meet the needs of Californian’s with significant behavioral health challenges.

We had the pleasure of meeting with ’s staff to talk about impact the May Revise’s proposal to eliminate the ’s Communit...
06/03/2026

We had the pleasure of meeting with ’s staff to talk about impact the May Revise’s proposal to eliminate the ’s Community Advocacy Program will have on underrepresented communities across Califonria. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns!
Advocacy, outreach, education, and training are the essential infrastructure that makes behavioral health care accessible. They help people identify their needs, navigate a complex system, connect to treatment and housing, and participate in the decisions that shape their care.

This Pride Month, we're celebrating the communities, advocates, and partners who make our LIVE Program what it is. LIVE ...
06/02/2026

This Pride Month, we're celebrating the communities, advocates, and partners who make our LIVE Program what it is. LIVE is a statewide movement powered by the dedication of our LIVE partners across California, whose WERK is helping to build a more equitable and affirming behavioral health system for LGBTQ+ communities. To every LIVE partner, thank you. Your advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness is truly changing lives. We are proud to do this WERK alongside you. Happy Pride from all of us at Mental Health America of California.

Stonewall Alliance Chico
North County LGBTQ Resource Center -
MoPRIDE
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Asian Mental Health Project
VROC-Viet Rainbow of Orange County
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Library Foundation SD
San Diego Central Library
Drag Story Hour
Reach La
Positive Images
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center
VAALA: Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association

05/27/2026
Mental Health America of California is proud to stand with Youth Leadership Institute, Commission for Behavioral Health ...
05/26/2026

Mental Health America of California is proud to stand with Youth Leadership Institute, Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH), Cal Voices, and NAMI at today's press conference to oppose Gov. Newsom's May Revise that eliminates CBH's Community Advocacy Grant Program.

We heard powerful testimony from youth, behavioral health leaders, and advocates about the important role stakeholders play in the decision making process. "Nothing About Us Without Us" means no policy, program, or law should be decided without the full and direct participation of the people it affects. That means ensuring clients and consumers, diverse racial and ethnic communities, families, LGBTQIA+ populations, parents and caregivers, transition age youth, veterans, K-12 youth, and immigrants and refugees have a voice when decisions about their behavior health supports and services are being made. CBH's Community Advocacy Grant Program is the only state dedicated funding to ensure these under and unserved communities can be represented.

05/22/2026

Mental Health America of California believes deeply in the power of community. Speaking up about mental health is essential to challenging stigma and inspiring hope, and our voices grow stronger when we speak up together. By uniting, we build momentum and connection that improve the lives of those facing mental health challenges. Hear what folks had to say about this year’s Mental Health Matters Day!

Thank you to our sponsors:
Neurocrine Biosciences
National Union of Healthcare Workers
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
Bristol Myers Squibb

05/22/2026

Mental Health America of California believes deeply in the power of community. Speaking up about mental health is essential to challenging stigma and inspiring hope, and our voices grow stronger when we speak up together. By uniting, we build momentum and connection that improve the lives of those facing mental health challenges. Hear what folks had to say about this year’s Mental Health Matters Day!

 Thank you to our sponsors: 
 Neurocrine Biosciences
 National Union of Healthcare Workers
 California Alliance of Child & Family Services
 County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
 Bristol Myers Squibb

05/15/2026

The Governor's May Revise proposes eliminating CBH’s Community Advocacy Program!

This cut would dismantle the program that funds trusted community-based organizations to provide advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement, core to BHSA’s promise of “Nothing about us without us.” Eliminating it would reduce meaningful consumer and family participation in behavioral health planning and oversight, and disrupt community-led work already underway.

CBH is deeply concerned about this proposal and is committed to working to restore full ongoing funding for the Community Advocacy Program in the final budget.

📝 Take action today by sending an opposition letter to the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review and Assembly Budget committees: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/May-Revise-Advocacy-Program-Oppose-Letter-Template-5.14.26.docx

🏢 Senate Budget & Fiscal Review: [email protected]
🏢 Assembly Budget: [email protected]

✔️ Stay ready: Senate/Assembly budget hearings are coming in the next couple weeks. When this issue is agendized, please show up to provide public comment and urge restoration of full IPF funding. Sign up for updates:

🏤 Senate Budget Sub 3 (Health): https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/newsletter
🏤 Assembly Budget Sub 1 (Health): https://www.assembly.ca.gov/newsletter

Thank you for taking action to protect community voice, accountability, and equitable BHSA implementation.

Address

Sacramento, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19165571167

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