The Mental Health Association of Erie County is celebrating a golden anniversary.
Kenneth Houseknecht, Executive Director of the MHA, told WBFO/AM970 the mission of his organization is twofold.
"A lot of our services are aimed at promoting and clarifying what constitutes good mental health," Houseknecht said.
"Right from the very youngest age through all of the life events: single people, married people,
families; so, mental health and wellness is a big part of what we do."
Equally key to their mission is treatment.
"There is a significant portion of the population, again starting very young in age and in every stage of life where people experience either a temporary or more permanent loss in mental health and wellness. We have a range of programs and services that help folks."
The agency's message remains: mental illness is serious, but in most cases, it's treatable; and the Mental Health Association of Erie County is there to help.