MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

The Mental Health Association's mission is to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of mental-health issues through education, services and advocacy.

In 1991 the agency provided or co-sponsored a series of professional and lay workshops centered on mental health issues pertaining to children, adolescents and parenting. Programs aimed at preventing teen suicide were a primary focus.

Over the past year, the agency also provided major assistance in compiling a Community Agencies Resource Information Networking Guide, which has been distributed to area agencies.

In addition to the Networking Guide, the agency hopes to create a referral guide for mental-health services. Also, public education programs are planned. Areas of interest include the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on the family, anxieties and obsessions, and dual diagnosis issues.

The association's focus area remain Cape Girardeau County, but frequently its programs encompass other Southeast Missouri communities. For any particular program, attendance varies from 15 to 200.

For more information write P.O. Box 1331, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.