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After a two-year process of extensive consultation with ACMHA's membership, a unanimous vote by the board in support of the name change, and a supportive vote of a robust percentage of its members, ACMHA is proud to announce its new name. ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership reflects the mission, vision, and aspirations of the organization which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year: "To be recognized as the premier forum for the exchange of new policy ideas that contribute to the improvement in the lives of people with mental health and substance use disorders and the systems that provide treatment and prevention services."

The new name clearly fits the mission and goals, which are set out in the Strategic Plan:

• Identify and address complex issues of emerging importance;
• Develop consensus through cross discipline dialogs;
• Promote best and evidence-based practices;
• Broker ideas that contribute to the evolution of behavioral health outcomes;
• Promote leadership development and succession; and
• Provide education, networking, and other opportunities to interact with leaders in relevant fields.

The ACMHA membership is a diverse working network of influential leaders from across systems concerned with mental health and substance use disorders 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: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership to brainstorm, discuss, and find common ground. Since 1979, ACMHA has brought together preeminent thinkers and innovators who continue to drive behavioral health forward.

"ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership, with its new name and its strong mission, looks forward to making contributions to the important challenges of the behavioral health field in the 21st century," said Kris Ericson, PhD, executive director.

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