Virginia’s oldest mental health advocacy organization
Is Art Essential for Your Mental Health Journey?
Personal expression through art sustains recovery and fosters resilience. We are accepting applications now to be included in our Recovery Art Auction, when we celebrate artists and recovery month as part of our Victory for Mental Health event in September.
What We Do
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
Reflections
As I retire from my position as Executive Director at Mental Health Virginia, I want to share some thoughts and highlights of our...
Is Art Essential to Your Mental Health Journey?
Personal expression through art sustains recovery and fosters resilience. We are accepting applications now to be included in our...
High School Stress
Written by Madeline Lund Ms. Lund is a high school student in Northern Virginia and volunteers with Mental Health Virginia.As a high...
Mental Health Month – Resources and a Richmond Area Event
The National Mental Health Association (now Mental Health America) first proclaimed May to be Mental Health Awareness Month in 1949,...
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
Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Month, a time to spotlight the mental health experiences of people of color and to continue the legacy of an advocate who believed deeply in community, healing, and justice.
Bebe Moore Campbell was a journalist, teacher, author, and mental health champion who worked to reduce stigma and improve access to care in communities of color. Her work laid the foundation for a national observance that is now an opportunity for us all to act.
Mental Health America’s 2025 campaign builds on her vision. This year’s theme is simple but powerful: turn awareness into action.
Not sure where to begin? A quick and free mental health screen at mhascreening.org is a great first step. You’ll get feedback, resources, and ideas for what to do next.
For more tips, tools, and resources, explore MHA’s BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit at mhanational.org/july and visit the BIPOC Mental Health Resource Center at
mhanational.org/bipoc.
Free Webinar
(Re)STORE: Sampler
July 23, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
(Re)STORE uses Peer Recovery Specialists to facilitate trauma-informed training and recovery support for crime or trauma survivors anywhere in Virginia. The (Re)STORE: Sampler webinar introduces an interactive program of wellness and resilience topics to facilitate ongoing recovery by using a strengths-based approach to empower individuals toward self-advocacy.
Topics include: Trauma and stress, grief and loss, wellness and resilience
Facilitators: Kevin Kelly, CPRS and Heather Fossen, CPRS
CEUs: 1.5 VCB-approved hours of education
