National Council For Behavioral Health

What National Council For Behavioral Health does

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1969 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., serving more than 3,200 member organizations that collectively reach over 15 million people annually. The organization functions as the leading U.S. advocacy, education, and technical assistance body for mental health and substance use treatment providers, with documented reach to 100% of the U.S. Congress and operational presence across all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. Its core program is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), launched in the U.S. in 2008, an evidence-based certification program that has trained more than 4.5 million people and is described as the most widely disseminated mental health training program in the country. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; it operates as a member-services platform built on training delivery, policy advocacy, consulting, conferences, and resource publishing.

The business model is diversified across five revenue streams: recurring annual membership dues from 3,200+ behavioral health provider organizations, Mental Health First Aid certification training (priced publicly at mentalhealthfirstaid.org/pricing), conference and event registration fees (NatCon and Hill Day), sale of research publications and policy briefs, and professional consulting/advisory services covering CCBHC implementation, workforce development, integrated care, and policy execution. Named customers span mid-market and enterprise behavioral health providers and health systems (CNS Healthcare, CDAC, WellSpan Philhaven, Oaklawn, Medical University of South Carolina, Blue Ridge Health, Singing River Health System), as well as large payer and delivery partners (Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare) and federal agencies (SAMHSA, CDC). Sub-brands include the CCBHC Success Center, Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions, Medical Director Institute, and The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast.

Leadership is led by President & CEO Charles Ingoglia, with a C-suite including Chief of Staff Mohini Venkatesh, Chief Program Officer Deanna Roepke, and Chief of Operations & Transformation Lena Ballantine. The organization is governed by an independent board, has no parent company, and is not a participant in equity capital markets. In 2026 it received bipartisan congressional recognition for the introduction of the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act, a legislative vehicle to formalize the CCBHC model into Medicare that, if enacted, would substantially expand the addressable member base and reinforce the organization's role as the central convening and technical assistance body for the U.S. behavioral health ecosystem.

Name

National Council For Behavioral Health

Legal name

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Website

https://thenationalcouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association serving more than 3,200 U.S. behavioral health organizations that collectively reach 15 million+ people annually. It delivers the Mental Health First Aid certification program (4.5M+ trained), CCBHC technical assistance, workforce consulting, and federal advocacy across all 50 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Association & Advocacy Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Wellness & Resilience Education (Non-clinical) (EDAAAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) & Mental Health Programs (BPADAIAK)

Keywords

• Behavioral health advocacy
• Mental health training
• Membership association services
• Behavioral health consulting
• Health policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from over 3,200 member organizations that collectively serve over 15 million people
2. Mental Health First Aid Certification: Revenue from evidence-based public education program that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. More than 4.5 million people in the U.S. have participated.
3. Conferences and Events: NatCon annual conference and Hill Day advocacy event generate revenue through registration fees
4. Publications and Reports: Sale of research publications, whitepapers, policy briefs, and annual member insights reports
5. Consulting Services: Strategic consulting and advisory services for behavioral health providers, health care systems, nonprofits and government agencies including operational transformation, workforce development, policy implementation and integrated care strategies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a nonprofit membership organization that delivers Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification training, behavioral health consulting and training services, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) implementation support, federal and state policy advocacy, workforce development programs, the annual NatCon conference, the Hill Day advocacy event, and research publications. It serves over 3,200 member organizations that collectively serve 15 million+ people, and has trained 4.5 million+ individuals through its MHFA program.

Product overview

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing operates as a membership organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an evidence-based certification training program; consulting and training services for behavioral health organizations; and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) support including the CCBHC Success Center and Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions. Additional programs include the Medical Director Institute, annual NatCon conferences, Hill Day advocacy events, The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, and various resource toolkits like the 988 Playbook. The organization serves more than 3,200 member organizations through advocacy, education, workforce development, and technical assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): An evidence-based public education and certification program that trains individuals to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.
• NatCon
• Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions
• Medical Director Institute
• The State of Mental Wellbeing Podcast
• CCBHC Success Center
• Hill Day

Products and services

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Evidence-based public education and certification program that trains individuals to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Provides certification training for community members, organizations, schools, workplaces, and public institutions. More than 4.5 million people in the United States have participated.
• Consulting and Training Services
• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Support Assists providers and health care systems with CCBHC implementation, technical assistance, compliance support, operational guidance, and sustainability planning.
• NatCon Annual Conference
• Hill Day Advocacy Event
• CCBHC-E National Training and Technical Assistance Center
• Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (CoE-IHS)
• Workforce Development Programs
• Public Policy Advocacy
• 988 Playbook for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Providers

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4.5 million people trained in Mental Health First Aid across the United States
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Singing River Health SystemminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Partnership for Community Impact Summit addressing addiction and overdose crisis on Mississippi Gulf Coast, promoting overdose prevention vending machines and Naloxone distribution
• The Reach Impact InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Partner hosting Community Impact Summit for overdose prevention and recovery care on Mississippi Gulf Coast
• National Institute for Behavioral HealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Partner in Community Impact Summit addressing regional addiction and overdose crisis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic health partnership for behavioral health initiatives and integrated health solutions
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal agency partnership for behavioral health policy, CCBHC implementation, and crisis response initiatives including 988 suicide prevention hotline
• Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for public health initiatives and behavioral health program development
• Smoking Cessation Leadership Center (SCLC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tobacco cessation initiatives within behavioral health settings
• American Hospital AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting webinars on integrated care models combining physical and behavioral health services, including a Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions partnership
• Walden UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner offering workforce solutions including field placement programs, talent recruitment, degree programs, and tuition savings for National Council member organizations. Supports talent development, recruitment and retention.
• Eleos HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered solutions partner for behavioral health documentation and workforce support. Featured in webinars on AI impact in behavioral health.
• Cantata Health SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing behavioral health EHR and technology solutions
• MTM ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology and consulting partner for behavioral health organizations, featured in AI technology selection webinars
• NetsmartcoreTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare technology partner providing EHR and care coordination solutions for behavioral health
• Kaiser PermanentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system partner with Silver partnership status, supporting integrated care initiatives
• Molina HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare payer partner with Silver partnership status, supporting behavioral health access initiatives
• The Joint CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare accreditation organization partnership for quality standards in behavioral health
• National Committee for Quality AssurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuality standards partnership for behavioral health care measurement and improvement
• Beck InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCognitive behavioral therapy training and certification partnership
• ReliascoreTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare learning and compliance training partner for workforce development
• Meadows Mental Health Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy partnership for workforce reimagining webinar series in integrated care

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI is the largest U.S. grassroots mental health advocacy organization, with state affiliates, public education programs and policy influence. Like the National Council, NAMI is a membership-and-advocacy nonprofit that drives Congressional engagement and public mental health literacy, making it the closest functional peer.
• Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is a national nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, screening, public education and policy. It overlaps directly with the National Council's mission across public education (its own screening tools), Congressional advocacy, and affiliate-network membership.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW): NASW is the largest U.S. membership organization for social workers, including the behavioral health workforce. It has comparable advocacy, continuing education and certification revenue streams and serves a significant portion of the National Council's member organizations' clinical staff.
• National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD): NACBHDD represents local behavioral health authorities and overlaps with the National Council's CCBHC implementation, policy advocacy and member-services mission. It is a smaller but functionally similar membership body serving public behavioral health system leaders.

Broad incumbents

• American Psychiatric Association (APA): APA is the largest membership organization representing U.S. psychiatrists, with comparable advocacy, education, publications and practice-guideline functions. APA overlaps with the National Council's Medical Director Institute and policy advocacy but focuses on the physician membership rather than provider organizations.
• American Psychological Association (APA): APA is the largest professional membership organization for psychologists, providing advocacy, continuing education, publications and practice resources. It is a comparable professional-association model with overlapping education, advocacy and member-services revenue streams.
• American Hospital Association (AHA): AHA is the national membership organization for hospitals and health systems, with comparable advocacy, education, publications and consulting functions. AHA co-hosts the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions with the National Council, making it both a partner and a broad incumbent in the integrated-care space.

Emerging players

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): AACAP is a membership organization for child and adolescent psychiatrists with policy advocacy, training and workforce development functions. It is comparable as a specialty behavioral-health membership body advocating to Congress, though narrower in clinical scope.
• Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute: Meadows is a Texas-based mental health policy institute that delivers research, consulting and policy advocacy. It is a documented partner on workforce reimagination but overlaps as a peer in policy thought leadership and state-level consulting services.

Others

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is the federal agency that funds and shapes behavioral health policy, CCBHCs, 988 and the workforce pipeline. It is a partner and primary federal counterpart that defines much of the National Council's operating context, rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nationalcouncil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nationalcouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheNationalCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-council-for-mental-wellbeing
• Instagraminstagram.com/NationalCouncil
• TikToktiktok.com/@national_council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Council For Behavioral Health