The American College of Mental Health Administration (ACMHA) 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 nearly 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 is establishing criteria to enable emerging leaders to view the College as a place where they can engage earlier in their careers. 

ACMHA's Message
The ACMHA message centers on five key points:

1. ACMHA's mission, vision and values are distinctive in the behavioral health field and provide the one place where individuals across all sectors of behavioral health can work together on substantive issues.
2. The ACMHA Santa Fe Summit is nationally recognized as the assembly of experienced behavior health professionals focused on innovative solutions and client/customer care. Summit proceedings have formed the base for national policy initiatives and the development of new entities to address the core issues challenging the field, always focused first on values of quality care.
3. The ACMHA Board and members are actively engaged in its governance, planning, fund-raising and programs, assuring that a focus remains on the core issues of mental health and substance abuse irrespective of the particular industry sector of the member. At the same time, directors and members provide noteworthy leadership in their respective organizations, further implementing solutions to critical issues addressed as colleagues at the national level.
4. ACMHA regularly interacts with public and private behavioral health leaders who inform policy, increase the awareness levels of core issues, and shape practices in the behavioral health field. By gathering and focusing the senior leadership of the field, ACMHA can guide the change required to assure that persons seeking care receive state of the art evidence based treatment.
5. ACMHA is committed to the development of the next generation of behavioral health leaders. Through the expertise and availability of those individuals who have championed the arena of behavioral healthcare for more than 30 years, ACMHA can assure that the leaders of the 21^st century have access to the skills and knowledge needed to move the field forward. ACMHA provides a professional forum where tomorrow's behavioral health leaders can convene, regardless of "work sector."

Vision
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 conditions and the systems that provide treatment and prevention services.

Mission
The mission of the American College of Mental Health Administration is to be a convener of diverse and emerging leaders concerned with mental health and substance use policy and practice from across systems to:

• 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.