Virginia’s oldest mental health advocacy organization
Virginia Legislature Addressing Mental Health
and the Criminal Justice System
Nearing Halfway Point in Session
Legislators have advanced several bills addressing our priority to Decriminalize Mental Illness and Address the Needs of People with Mental Health Challenges in the Criminal Justice System.
What We Do
Notice Regarding Warm Line Texting
We have a new phone system to improve overall service. Unfortunately the Text feature is temporarily unavailable, however you can use our Chat function.
Please reach us that way or call the Warm Line 866.400.6428 until texting is restored. Thank you for your patience.
Advocacy
We advocate for a better mental health system and public understanding that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health.
- Increase public awareness, decrease stigma and keep mental health issues on the forefront of policy and legislative agendas.
- Educate policy makers about the barriers preventing people from receiving the help they need, and identify solutions.
Peer Run Warm Line
Free, anonymous and confidential
866-400-6428
Call, text or chat
Virginia’s Peer-Run Warm Line and other resources for wellness and recovery. Not a crisis hotline, the warm line helps keep people out of crisis. Staff listen nonjudgmentally, and can help identify coping strategies, resources and support for your mental health well-being.
Recovery Education
For individuals who have experienced challenges with trauma, mental health or addiction, our programs incorporate recovery principles, encourage self-empowerment and model peer support practices. Programs include peer facilitated webinars and in-person trainings.
Probation Peer Support
Our Peer Support Wellness program is completely free and voluntary. Once referred, with your permission, one of our Peer Support Specialists will reach out to you to get started.
Latest News

Proposed State Budget Amendments
On February 2nd the senate and house money committees reported their respective amendments to the state budget for 2025-2026. Once...

Virginia Legislature Addressing Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
Nearing Halfway Point in Session Legislators have advanced several bills addressing our priority to Decriminalize Mental Illness and...

Mental Health Press Conference
Mental Health Press Conference Mental Health Virginia, NAMI Virginia, Vocal Virginia, and Voices for Virginia's Children will host a...

Pets and Mental Health
“LB the Wonder Dog” Adopted in Baltimore as a scrawny, happy pup, LB found her calling as a loving support animal and artistic muse....
Making a Difference
“Being able to talk to you is like a magic wand. I feel so much better having talked to you and have someone just listen to me.“
“The opportunity to use what was learned to advocate for mental health“
“That I could relate to what she was going through, non-judgmental and supportive. “
Current Initiatives
Free Webinar
February 19, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Trauma-informed Training and Recovery Support for Virginia Crime and/or Trauma Survivors
The (Re)STORE: Sampler webinar introduces participants to an interactive program of wellness and resilience topics to facilitate ongoing recovery by using a strengths-based approach to empower individuals toward self-advocacy.
Join us and build your community connections! The full (Re)STORE program includes an introductory webinar, a virtual training and culminates with an in-person retreat.
Supporting Young Minds
Today’s youth are facing unprecedented challenges to their mental well-being, and supportive adults can make a significant difference in a young person’s mental health journey.
Mental Health America’s 2024 Supporting Young Minds Guides have been created to empower parents, caregivers, teachers, and others to provide support by fostering nonjudgmental environments where young people feel safe expressing themselves. In them, you will find information about facilitating conversations and validating feelings, creating safe spaces and supportive culture in the classroom, and ways to promote peer support. We’ve also created resources to help young people support one another and feel empowered to set and achieve goals.