WELCOME
MHAOC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of Orange County residents. Under the leadership of a volunteer Board of Directors, MHAOC staff, consultants, and volunteers provide free mental health services to thousands of individuals each year.
Volunteers support this work offering companionship, providing public education and direct services, and assisting with fundraising efforts.
Funding for MHAOC services is made possible through state, county, and federal grants. Private contributions, membership drives, memorial endowments, and community fundraisers also play a vital role in sustaining our programs.
In partnership with service recipients, families, volunteers, and the broader community, MHAOC fulfills its mission through effective advocacy, direct services, public education, and responsiveness during times of community crisis. Our safety net services are designed to actively address the social determinants of health.
Each year, MHAOC serves thousands of Orange County residents. Every individual who connects with us is supported through our WELCOME Orange approach, which offers wraparound services tailored to their needs. In practice, this means MHA staff provide case and care management, housing assistance, sexual assault prevention and advocacy, veteran support, meals, transportation, support groups, peer companionship, crisis intervention, resource connections, and much more—every single day.
Our dedicated and compassionate staff bring deep expertise in direct service, advocacy, public education, stigma reduction, community outreach, and training. We employ evidence-based practices across a comprehensive range of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.
MHAOC serves all of Orange County with office locations in Middletown, Goshen, New Windsor, and Port Jervis.
After operating the County’s Helpline/Warmline for over 40 years, MHAOC transitioned on April 1, 2019, to become part of the Orange County Crisis Call Center (OCCCC). This collaborative initiative—facilitated by the Orange County Department of Mental Health—brings together MHAOC, Independent Living, and Access: Supports for Living to provide telephonic support, crisis intervention, assessment, and warm handoffs to appropriate services for individuals, youth, and families affected by mental illness, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities.
The Call Center also dispatches the Crisis Mobile Response Team, offering in-person crisis support, de-escalation, assessment, and service connections. Both the Call Center and Mobile Response Team refer individuals to peer supports who help them navigate the system and maintain engagement. The Call Center also facilitates access to local rape crisis services when needed.
MHAOC joined the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network at the end of 2020 and participated in the national launch of 988 on July 16, 2022. Crisis support is available 24/7 by calling 311 or 1-800-832-1200, or by dialing 988 for the Lifeline. Additionally, our Text4Teens program offers 24-hour support for youth via text at 845-391-1000. Help is available the moment you need it.
Affiliations & Funding
Mental Health Assoc. in Orange County is affiliated with the State and National organizations and accepts and adheres to the purposes, standards, policies and procedures established by these organizations.
Mental Health America - MHA
Mental Health Association in NY - MHANY
Funding for programs and services is provided by various government agencies, private / corporate grants, private contributions, membership drives and community fundraisers.
