About ACMHA

History

ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership, is widely recognized for the experience and diversity of its membership base in addressing pressing issues in the behavioral healthcare profession and developing consensus to establish a shared vision for the field. Founded in 1979, ACMHA has more than 30 years of experience in serving as the "brain trust" of the behavioral health profession and providing peer-to-peer venues, expanding leadership development, and promoting best practices in the field. Based on the findings of a national report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), behavioral health professionals understand that the most pressing issue in the field relating to consumer and client care is the recruitment and retention of leadership at both the administrative and clinical levels, which ultimately leads to advances at all levels of care. ACMHA's unique mission focuses on leadership, service and education within the profession as a solution-provider for concerns raised in the IOM report, as well as others.

Guided by its membership, Board of Directors, and a robust strategic plan, ACMHA is committed to expanding its range and diversity of membership experiences, providing peer-to-peer senior and emerging leadership forums, focusing on national issues related to policies and practices, and creating consensus where controversy exists around core issues related to the quality of behavioral health care for individuals, families and communities.

The ACMHA membership is a diverse working network of influential leaders from across systems concerned with mental health and substance use conditions representing public and private administrators of services; national, state and county government; professional organizations addressing mental health and substance use; managed behavioral healthcare organizations; research and academia; and consumer and family advocacy organizations. These leaders join ACMHA to brainstorm, discuss, disagree, and then find common ground. Many members tell us this is the one place they have in their professional lives where this type of dialogue and change occurs. It is a prestigious professional group of preeminent thinkers and innovators who continue to drive behavioral health forward. ACMHA's independent role as a "neutral nation" is essential as a part of the transformation of the behavioral healthcare industry.

ACMHA was chartered as a membership organization and continues to operate in the mode of a traditional membership organization. Principally, its finances are derived from membership dues, an annual meeting is convened, and membership is by appointment/application. Further, ACMHA's membership requirements are based on years and level of professional experience. While these requirements continue to be the primary focus of new members, ACMHA has established criteria to enable emerging leaders to view the College as a place to engage earlier in their careers.