Mental illness isn’t something that individuals or families should have to walk through alone. We are passionate about walking alongside and advocating for individuals with mental health conditions and their family caregivers. The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for individuals with mental illness in the Alameda, San Mateo, and Marin Counties since 1958. Governed by a Board of Directors and staffed by qualified individuals who are trained in trauma-informed care, and passionate about standing by people with mental health conditions, MHAAC runs multiple programs to help individuals and their families thrive. Serving over 24,000 individuals every year, we are proud to offer free support, education, and mental health resources to family caregivers. Our programs center around supporting family caregivers of those with mental health issues and advocating for patients’ rights. We assist patients of inpatient facilities in representing themselves at hearings, we assist individuals and families with complaints or grievances to file, and we pair families with peers who have experienced and understand the challenges of children’s behavioral or emotional conditions. We also host workshops to help African American families talk about and cope with mental health conditions and substance abuse in their families.