Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc.

What Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc. does

Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc., operating as Mental Health Advocates of WNY (MHA WNY), is a private nonprofit founded in 1962 and headquartered at 1021 Broadway St., Fifth Floor, Buffalo, NY. The organization provides non-clinical mental health advocacy, peer support, education, and legal services to children, teens, adults, and families across seven Western New York counties (Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans, Cattaraugus). Its service portfolio includes free, anonymous mental health screening tools; credentialed Youth Peer Advocates (ages 18-30) providing school programs and a Trusted Chat Line (JustTellOne); pro bono civil legal services covering SSD/SSI, housing, family, and consumer law; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Family Court; the BEST emotional skills curriculum for Pre-K through 2nd grade students; the Mindset workplace mental-well-being program; Operation Children of the Military (OPCOM) for military families; and approximately a dozen peer-led adult support groups (OCD, psychosis, sexual assault survivors, stress/anxiety, writing therapy).

The technology footprint is modest: no proprietary platform, no public API, and no AI/ML capabilities described. Service delivery relies on standard web infrastructure (mhawny.org), Zoom for virtual groups, a youth chat line, and validated Mental Health America screening tools embedded into the website. Programs are coordinated across an 11-50 person staff with directors covering Peer Support, Administration, Operations, Legal Services, CASA, and Development.

The business model is donation-driven. Revenue is generated through individual donations (online, stock, tribute, planned/legacy, employer matching), a Legacy Circle planned-giving program, grant funding, and limited program service fees — notably BEST at approximately $65 per student per year for Erie and Niagara county schools. Most services are free to end users. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Christina Pearl (Corporate Director of Communication, Horizon Corporations), with no disclosed institutional equity or venture backing. In October 2023, MHA's then-Director of Youth Peer Advocates, Karl Shallowhorn, was appointed Special Advisor to the SAMHSA Regional Office, elevating the organization's federal-level visibility.

Name

Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc.

Legal name

Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc.

Website

https://eriemha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mental Health Advocates of WNY is a 1962-founded Buffalo, NY nonprofit providing free peer support, pro bono legal services, CASA child advocacy, school-based emotional skills training, and workplace mental-well-being programs to 30,000+ residents of seven Western New York counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Advocacy Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFACAI

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Behavioral Health & Substance Use Treatment

SECONDARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLAFABAC

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Ambulatory & Outpatient Care Centers

Keywords

• Mental health advocacy
• Peer support services
• Community mental health
• Nonprofit support programs
• Pro bono legal services

Headquarters

HQ city

Buffalo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through individual donations, online giving, gift of stock, tribute gifts, planned and legacy gifts, and employer matching gift programs. A Legacy Circle recognizes planned giving supporters.
2. Program Service Fees: Some programs such as BEST (Basic Emotional Skills Training) for schools average $65 per student per year. Grant funding may also be available for qualifying programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc. (dba Mental Health Advocates of WNY / MHA WNY) is a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization that delivers free peer support groups, pro bono civil legal services, child and family support, school-based emotional skills training (BEST), military family support (OPCOM), court-appointed special advocates (CASA), workplace mental well-being programs (Mindset), youth peer advocacy, and anonymous mental health screenings to residents of Western New York.

Product overview

Mental Health Advocates of WNY is a mental health advocacy organization offering a diverse portfolio of non-clinical programs and support services for children, teens, adults, and families throughout Western New York. The organization's service ecosystem includes: mental health screening tools (offering free anonymous online assessments for depression, anxiety, addiction, bipolar, PTSD, psychosis, and eating disorders); a Trusted Chat Line operated by Youth Peer Advocates for non-crisis youth support; peer support groups across multiple formats (adult mental health, OCD, psychosis, sexual assault survivors, stress/anxiety, writing therapy, substance use); Youth Peer Advocates (YPAs) program providing 1:1 support and school-based mental health services for youth ages 9-26; the BEST emotional skills training program for Pre-K through 2nd grade; Family Support Program with Family Peer Advocates; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for child welfare cases; OPCOM for military families; Mindset workplace mental health training for employers; and pro bono Legal Services covering disability benefits, housing, family, and consumer law. Programs operate both in-person and virtually via Zoom, with dedicated contact lines and an online chat platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acceptable Perception: Peer support group for people who have experienced psychosis.
• BEST
• Just Tell One (JT1)
• Mindset
• Operation COM / OPCOM
• Youth Peer Advocates (YPAs)

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2023Partnership with SAMHSA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. MHA's Karl Shallowhorn serves as Special Advisor to the SAMHSA Regional Office, focusing on mental health in marginalized and disenfranchised communities across the region including New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Tribal Nations.
• BestSelf Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative, a collaboration of community organizations providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse support services in Western New York.
• Buffalo Urban League Buffalo H.O.P.EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative working to provide mental health and substance abuse support services.
• Endeavor Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative providing comprehensive mental health support.
• Erie County Department of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in the We Are Hope collaborative providing mental health services and resources in Erie County.
• Horizon Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative providing mental health and substance abuse services.
• Crisis ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the We Are Hope collaborative providing 24-hour crisis intervention services for the Buffalo and Erie County area.
• Hope RisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative supporting mental health and substance abuse services.
• New York State Office of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner in the We Are Hope collaborative providing oversight and support for mental health services.
• Spectrum Health Buffalo H.O.P.EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the We Are Hope initiative providing mental health services.
• MHANYS (Mental Health Association of New York State)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHA's Karl Shallowhorn elected as board chair for MHANYS, connecting the organization to state-wide mental health advocacy efforts.
• New York State Office of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa Archer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN joined as Project Director for New York State's Office of Mental Health, strengthening connections between MHA and state mental health initiatives.
• Families Together of NYScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFamily Peer Advocates are credentialed through Families Together of NYS, the organization that administers the YPA credential through YOUTH POWER!

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bring Change to Mind: Mental health awareness and stigma-reduction nonprofit with youth-led programming and school-based initiatives — comparable to MHA WNY's JustTellOne and BEST programs targeting youth mental health education and stigma reduction.
• Active Minds: National nonprofit focused on youth and young-adult mental health awareness, school-based programs, and peer-led advocacy — closely comparable to MHA WNY's Youth Peer Advocates program, JustTellOne campaign, and BEST school curriculum.
• Mental Health America: National nonprofit operating free anonymous online mental health screenings, peer support, policy advocacy, and affiliate networks — directly mirrors MHA WNY's screening tools, peer support groups, and advocacy orientation; notably the WNY chapter shares the legacy MHA branding.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): National peer-run nonprofit organizing condition-specific support groups (depression, bipolar) led by people with lived experience — directly comparable to MHA WNY's adult mental health, OCD, psychosis, and substance use peer support groups.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Largest US grassroots mental health nonprofit offering peer-led support groups, family-to-family education, advocacy, and information/referral services — directly comparable to MHA WNY's community education, peer support, and advocacy model, and an obvious affiliate-vs-standalone comparison.
• NAMI Buffalo & Erie County: Local NAMI affiliate operating in the same Erie County catchment as MHA WNY, offering peer support groups, family education, and advocacy — the most direct in-region peer for member share, volunteer base, and referral competition.

Regional players

• BestSelf Behavioral Health: Western New York's largest community-based behavioral health provider offering outpatient counseling, substance use treatment, and care coordination — a We Are Hope co-partner of MHA WNY that competes for clinical referrals, county contracts, and donor share in the same region.
• Horizon Health Services: Western New York behavioral health and substance use treatment provider offering outpatient and residential services — another We Are Hope collaborative partner that overlaps with MHA WNY's substance use support group and referral pathways in-region.

Emerging players

• The Trevor Project: National nonprofit providing crisis intervention and peer support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth via chat/text/phone — directly comparable to MHA WNY's JustTellOne youth chat line and youth peer support model, but with a more specialized population focus and stronger digital infrastructure.
• Compeer (Compeer USA): National nonprofit providing one-to-one volunteer mentoring and peer support for adults in mental health recovery — closely comparable to MHA WNY's Peer Bridger Program and adult peer support groups, though focused on mentorship relationships rather than facilitated group support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/mha_wny
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1wbo7Qftec4tkexNb4P3fQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/MHAWNY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mental-health-association-of-erie-county-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhawny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Association of Erie County, Inc.