Mental Health America of California

What Mental Health America of California does

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1957 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, operating as the California affiliate of the national Mental Health America network. The organization functions as a peer-run behavioral health advocacy and community empowerment body, focused on meeting California communities where they are through self-determination, recovery-oriented principles, and opposition to involuntary treatment. Its core programmatic portfolio includes CAYEN (California Youth Empowerment Network) for transition-age youth, LIVE (LGBTQ+, Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment) for LGBTQ+ populations, and CAPS Academy (California Association of Peer Supporters) for peer support workforce training, supplemented by the annual Mental Health Matters Day event at California State Capitol Park.

MHAC's business model is donation-based, with revenue derived from individual contributions (via PayPal, credit card, stock, Facebook Fundraisers, and mail-in checks), corporate event sponsorships, and grants. The organization distributes free services to the public including mental health screening referrals, crisis resource navigation (CalHOPE Peer Warmline, 988 Lifeline, Trevor Project), community empowerment circles, and policy advocacy outputs such as an annual Legislative Scorecard, white papers on CalAIM, and policy position letters targeting California state legislators. MHAC has built an established advocacy role evidenced by its sponsorship of AB 988 (the California 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline legislation) and ongoing partnerships with county behavioral health directors, CIBHS, Steinberg Institute, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and corporate sponsors including Neurocrine Biosciences and Bristol Myers Squibb.

MHAC operates with a lean 1-10 employee base, which constrains direct service delivery capacity and channels most programmatic activity through partnerships, affiliates, and volunteer-driven events. It does not develop or sell technology products; its digital presence consists of a website (mhac.org), email action networks, and social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram) used for advocacy mobilization and community engagement.

Name

Mental Health America of California

Legal name

Mental Health America of California

Website

https://mhac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mental Health America of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1957 that operates as a peer-run behavioral health advocacy organization serving California residents through youth and LGBTQ+ programs, peer support training, policy advocacy, and community empowerment events funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Advocacy Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Mental Wellness & Resilience Education (Non-clinical) (EDAAAHAK)

Keywords

• Mental health advocacy
• Behavioral health support
• Peer support services
• Community mental health
• Mental health policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 94-1393424), Mental Health America of California relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made via PayPal, credit card, stock donations, Facebook Fundraisers, or mail-in checks to PO Box 567, Sacramento, CA 95812-0567.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Mental Health America of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, peer-run advocacy organization that delivers community mental health programs (CAYEN, LIVE, CAPS Academy), operates the annual Mental Health Matters Day event, publishes legislative scorecards and policy positions, and connects California residents to crisis support resources (CalHOPE Peer Warmline, 988 Lifeline, Trevor Project) and mental health screening tools.

Product overview

Mental Health America of California is a non-profit advocacy organization, not a technology product company. It operates a portfolio of community programs including CAYEN (California Youth Empowerment Network), LIVE (LGBTQ+, Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment), and CAPS Academy, along with annual events like Mental Health Matters Day. The organization focuses on policy advocacy, community empowerment, and mental health awareness rather than selling a unified software product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAYEN: California Youth Empowerment Network - program focused on youth behavioral health needs
• LIVE
• CAPS Academy
• Mental Health Matters Day

Products and services

• CAYEN (California Youth Empowerment Network) A youth-focused program that promotes wellness, behavioral health advocacy, and psychologically healthy environments for California youth through community engagement and empowerment.
• LIVE (LGBTQ+, Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment) An LGBTQ+ behavioral health program that promotes wellness, inclusivity, and visibility through community empowerment circles held across California locations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chico, and Oceanside.
• CAPS Academy A training academy that develops peer supporters for behavioral health settings through education and professional development.
• Mental Health Matters Day An annual free community event held at the California State Capitol Park (May 13, 2026, 10:00AM–1:00PM) featuring inspiring speakers, community exhibitors, and networking opportunities aimed at battling mental health stigma.
• Mental Health Screening Resources Free mental health screening tools accessed through a referral to Mental Health America's national screening platform, enabling California residents to evaluate their mental health.
• Legislative Scorecard Annual evaluation of California state Assembly and Senate legislators on mental health advocacy using two metrics—authored legislation and voting record on bills important to MHAC—to identify leading mental health champions.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2 million children, adults, and seniors affected by potentially disabling mental health challenges every year in California
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Neurocrine BiosciencescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of Mental Health Matters Day 2026 event at California State Capitol Park
• National Union of Healthcare WorkerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of Mental Health Matters Day 2026 event
• California Alliance of Child and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of Mental Health Matters Day 2026 and exhibitor at event
• County Behavioral Health Directors AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor and exhibitor of Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• Bristol Myers SquibbcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of Mental Health Matters Day 2026 event
• California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Planning partner for Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• California Behavioral Health Planning CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Planning partner for Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• Mental Health America (National)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Affiliation with national Mental Health America organization providing screening tools, resources, and brand partnership
• California Association of Peer Supporters (CAPS) AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Program partner - peer supporters academy, exhibitor at Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• Steinberg InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Exhibitor at Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• American Foundation for Suicide PreventionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Exhibitor at Mental Health Matters Day 2026
• CalHOPEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Crisis support partner providing Peer Warmline at (833) 317-HOPE (4673)
• Los Angeles LGBT CentersupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Venue partner for LIVE 2nd Annual Conference on November 5, 2025 at Pride Hall
• Positive Images (San Francisco)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Community partner for LIVE 2nd Community Empowerment Circle on August 26, 2025
• Stonewall Alliance Center (Chico)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Community partner for LIVE 2nd Community Empowerment Circle on August 12, 2025
• North County LGBT Center (Oceanside)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Community partner for LIVE 2nd Community Empowerment Circle on July 31, 2025
• Reach LAsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Community partner for LIVE 2nd Community Empowerment Circle on July 15, 2025
• San Francisco AIDS FoundationsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Venue partner for LIVE 2nd Community Empowerment Circle on August 26, 2025 at 940 Howard St., San Francisco

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NAMI California: The California affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, providing mental health support groups, education, and policy advocacy in California. Directly comparable to MHAC as a state-level mental health nonprofit offering advocacy, peer support, and public policy leadership in the same geography.
• CalHOPE: A California Department of Health Care Services crisis counseling and peer support program. Core crisis support partner referenced on MHAC's website; directly comparable as a peer-led mental health support organization serving California residents.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): The largest suicide prevention nonprofit in the U.S., with active California chapters and policy advocacy. Exhibitor at MHAC's Mental Health Matters Day; directly comparable as a mental health advocacy and awareness organization with overlapping California activities.
• Steinberg Institute: A California-based behavioral health policy institute that publishes policy briefs, hosts events, and advocates for mental health reform. Exhibitor partner of MHAC's Mental Health Matters Day; highly comparable as a Sacramento-based behavioral health advocacy organization.
• California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS): A California statewide training, technical assistance, and policy organization for behavioral health providers. Listed as a planning partner for Mental Health Matters Day; comparable as a peer-run California behavioral health advocacy and capacity-building nonprofit.
• Each Mind Matters: A California mental health movement and public awareness campaign supported by counties and providers. Highly comparable as a California-wide mental health anti-stigma and awareness initiative with overlapping advocacy goals to MHAC.
• California Behavioral Health Planning Council: A California state council that advises on behavioral health policy and planning. Listed as a planning partner for Mental Health Matters Day; directly comparable as a California behavioral health policy body with overlapping constituency and mission.

Regional players

• The Trevor Project: A national LGBTQ+ crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization whose hotline MHAC references. Comparable as an LGBTQ+ mental health and crisis support organization, though operating nationally rather than California-specifically like MHAC's LIVE program.

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America (National): The national umbrella organization of which MHAC is a state affiliate. Directly comparable as a mental health advocacy and education nonprofit with screening tools, public policy positions, and affiliate network—MHAC operates as its California state chapter.

Emerging players

• California Association of Peer Supporters (CAPS): A California peer specialist certification and training organization whose CAPS Academy MHAC partners with. Directly comparable as a behavioral health peer support training body with overlapping mission to MHAC's CAPS Academy program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mhacalifornia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mha-ca
• Instagraminstagram.com/mentalhealthamericaofca
• Xx.com/MHACalifornia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mental Health America of California