The local affiliate of Mental Health America is ceasing operations after a careful review of operations following the departure of its executive director in August.
According to a social media post, Mental Health America of Augusta, a Staunton-based nonprofit, said “it is no longer sustainable for us to continue.”
“After much reflection and consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cease operations due to changes within the organization and operational difficulties.
“For many years, we have been privileged to work alongside each of you to fulfill our mission of serving the mental health community. We are proud of the positive impact we’ve been able to make and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
The nonprofit also thanked volunteers, donors, partners and supporters in the farewell post.
“Your dedication, passion and belief in our cause have meant the world to us, and we could not have made the difference we did without you.”
The organization is working to fulfill remaining obligations before closing its doors permanently. In recent years, the organization had focused on providing navigation services directed at helping community members connect to and receive needed help.
“Although we are closing this chapter, the spirit of our mission will continue to live on in the hearts of those who shared in our journey,” the post read.
The former executive director, Bruce Blair, left the organization after five years to join Compass Behavioral Group.
Blair followed former executive directors Crystal Heinz and long-term ED Donna Gum.
Local NAMI affiliate also considered dissolving this year
The local National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, affiliate announced in January that it was also planning to dissolve unless some individuals were interested in stepping up to serve on its board.
AFP has been told that several individuals did join the board, and the affiliate is working to regroup after several key board members stepped back.
NAMI Central Shenandoah Valley does not have a paid executive director and works to address mental health needs in the community with very limited funding.
The organization relies on volunteers to carry out the mission of the group.
Local, national mental health services at risk
In the region encompassing Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro, there are almost double the number of suicides when compared to national and state statistics.
At a time when the demand for mental-health services is at an all-time high, local and national organizations are struggling to meet the need due to a lack of funding.
Valley Community Services Board has been working to address the crisis with a new building to house a receiving center and stabilization unit in Fishersville but has faced setbacks primarily due to community pushback on a proposed location.
In December, the local ARROW Project announced it was on the brink of closing due to a lack of funding streams post-COVID. The nonprofit takes a multi-pronged approach to addressing issues surrounding mental-health access and participation, with a focus on supporting individuals and families limited by systemic pressures – poverty, race, gender, sexual orientation, lack of transportation, lack of housing – working to connect them to quality mental-health services.
Nationwide, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, is also shutting down and consolidating with the Administration for Healthy America, or AHA.
SAMHSA was responsible for funding organizations focused on mental health, preventing substance misuse and recovery. It is unknown how the consolidation will impact these operations.
Also unknown is the fate of the 988 suicide-prevention lifeline. Many staffers from the communications team, whose job includes raising awareness about the lifeline, were fired as part of DOGE, or Department of Government Efficiency, cuts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting strategy at the hands of the Trump administration and Elon Musk to reduce waste in government.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
Related stories
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- Future of 988 Lifeline? Concern that substance abuse prevention, mental health cuts looming
- Mental health, suicide prevention outreach for veterans set to end this year
- ARROW Project on the financial brink: Mental-health nonprofit needs money boost
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Crystal Graham
