Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC) is bringing attention to the importance of mental health, and much of its good work originates from simple conversations.

"We've come quite a long way from my generation of 'suck it up' and 'you'll be fine,'" said Dave Krahling, who's been MHALC's program manager since November of 2023. "Now, we have more people talking about their mental health. We're shining a light on it, and it's become more acceptable. The more we talk about it, the more we're realizing we're not alone."

Located at 245 Butler Ave., No. 204, Lancaster, MHALC is more of a facilitator, an advocate for mental health, than a hands-on treatment organization. MHALC performs its work through education, support and mental health screenings and by outreach programs at businesses, libraries and schools.

"If you have a brain, you have mental health," said Krahling. "We need to realize that mental health and physical health are combined."

MHALC serves Lancaster County residents dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, personality disorders and thoughts of suicide. Last year alone, MHALC reached nearly 800 people through its advocacy program; 2,262 youths through its school education; and 6,075 individuals through its community outreach support program.

Also in 2023, MHALC's family and youth advocate program served more than 560 local people and wrote 136 individual education plans (IEPs). During that same time, MHALC's prison advocacy program reached more than 1,500 people incarcerated at the Lancaster County Prison.

"The more we advocate, the more people are reaching out and seeking help," said Krahling. "It's everyone, anyone who has concerns about mental health. It could be themselves or a child. It's people being challenged by everyday life. We want to make sure people have the support and the medication they need. The biggest thing is getting the word out that MHALC is here. I like to go out and meet the public. When people realize who I am, they want to talk about mental health."

At the heart of what MHALC does is people helping people. Supported by the work of volunteers, MHALC's staff consists of four full-time employees and four part-timers.

MHALC receives funding from the Lancaster County government through grants and fundraisers.

"(MHALC employees are) a lot of peers," said Krahling. "It's people who are passionate about mental health. We don't want to provide therapy; we want to get clients to people who are therapists."

MHALC was established as an independent affiliate of Mental Health America in 1977. Mental Health America was founded in 1909 as the National Mental Health Association.

"We're very strong with our education, and we have phenomenal programs," said Krahling. "Our goal is to make talking about mental health like talking about the weather. There are thousands and thousands of people alive today because they've talked about mental health."

For additional information about Mental Health America of Lancaster County, go to http://www.mhalancaster.org.