Mental Health America Launches Online Support Community

Connects Families, Friends, and Caregivers in Safe, Secure Environment

 Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (July 26, 2010)—Mental Health America today announced it has launched the Mental Health America Support Community—a new online community that connects families, friends, and caregivers for support and inspiration.  

The community has been created in partnership with Inspire, which works with nonprofits to provide safe, online health and wellness communities to help members live mentally healthier lives.

Located at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/community, the community will allow registered members to take part in moderated discussion groups and post personal journals, enabling them to support one another through their individual journeys and experiences.

Those joining the community will find coping strategies and answers to their questions, as well as vital support, compassion, encouragement, and inspiration from others sharing experiences similar to theirs. Registration is free; upon joining, members will have complete control of their privacy options and can communicate with others in a safe, secure environment.

“We know how important social support and connecting with others are to protecting our mental health and improving well-being,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “This new community will allow more people to connect with each other, find valuable resources, and learn and gain inspiration from others.”

Brian Loew, CEO of Inspire said: "We are pleased to partner with Mental Health America. Through their partnership with Inspire, we hope that Mental Health America will be able to reach even more people and provide a place to support living mentally healthier lives. Helping people find others who are also dealing with these issues fills an overwhelming need. Mental Health America is a trusted organization and champion of those trying to lead mentally healthy lives. We are pleased to welcome them to the Inspire family." 

The Mental Health America Support Community features 20 discussion topics. Once they have registered, members can:

• Read and participate in discussions
• Post personal profiles – share as much or as little as they’d like about themselves
• Post personal photos or videos
• Invite other members to be friends
• Create a personal journal (or “blog”) where they can express their feelings and allow others to comment
• Read others’ journals to learn about their experiences