MHACA

Our Programs

Four programs are currently offered by the Mental Health Association of Central Alabama -

Consumer Day Program

Depression / Bipolar Support Group Program

Consumers' Night Out Program

Depression Screening Program

Consumer Day Program

The Consumer Day Program has two main components:

Job Training and Employment Assistance Program

Since 1984, this program has provided instruction and hands-on job readiness training, as well as GED and education classes.

This program is designed for consumers who want to move towards a more autonomous lifestyle.

The program hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Socialization and Friendship Program

This program, which began in 1967, provides consumers with a safe, structured environment that is conducive to instruction, learning, modeling, and displaying appropriate socialization skills and proper hygiene.

The program offers a safe environment where consumers can be accepted for who they are.

The following activities are typical for members of the Horizon Club: daily exercise, group therapy, and group interaction.

The program hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Click (here) for the admission criteria for the Consumer Day Program.

Thanks to a grant to MHA by The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the Day Program was able to move in November, 2006, to the McCoy Center for Community Service, located near Birmingham-Southern College. This move enables the Day Program to dramatically increase its capacity to serve consumers from our community. With over 4,400 square feet of space, MHA can now serve more consumers and provide them with more activities and programs. In March, 2006, the Day Program was named Piper Place in honor of the Piper family, long time supporters and advocates of the Mental Health Association.

Depression / Bipolar Support Group Program

The Mental Health Association and the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) together offer depression / bipolar support groups for the residents of Greater Birmingham.

There are two separate support group meetings that are held at the same time -

A meeting for the individuals that suffer from depression or bipolar disorder.
A meeting for the family and friends of the individuals that suffer from depression or bipolar disorder.

The specifics of the meetings are -

WHEN: On the 2nd and 4th Thursday evening of every month
WHAT TIME: From 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
WHERE: At the Crisis Center.
NEED A MAP: For a map and driving directions to the Crisis Center, click (here).

NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DBSA: For information concerning Depression and Bipolar Disorders and DBSA support groups, access the DBSA web site by clicking (here)

For intake information or questions, please call (205) 324-3505, ext. 226, or send email to dbsa@mhaca.com.

Consumers' Night Out Program

Consumers' Night Out offers an opportunity for consumers in Jefferson County to interact socially with one another.

Activities available to the consumers include card games, dancing, and conversation.

Refreshments are also part of the fun.

Consumers' Night Out is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Call (205) 324-3505 for location.

Depression Screening Program

Free depression screening is provided for "groups" such as churches, colleges and universities, and business and civic organizations.

For additional information on our "group" depression screening program, contact the us at our business office at -

(205) 324-3505

For depression screening for an "individual" that is concerned that they may be suffering from clinical depression, you may access the National Mental Health Association's web site link below for online screening -

www.depression-screening.org/screeningtest/screeningtest.htm