AUGUST 15, 2022, ORLANDO – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF.org) welcomed Lisseth Russa, M.S., RMHI, CCMS as their new Vice President of Operations. Russa will oversee the staff and operations of the MHACF programs, which work to provide mental health services, support and information to the members of our Central Florida community. “We are thrilled that Lisseth has joined our team and will be assisting us as we strive to bring much needed behavioral health and advocacy initiatives to our community,” said Marni Stahlman, President & CEO of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. “As Vice President of Operations, she will fulfill an important role for the agency, and we are excited to have someone who brings this wealth of experience and education in service to support our mission.”

March 3, 2022, ORLANDO – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida announced today the appointment of Cherlette McCullough, mental health counselor, as a new member to their Board of Directors. This marks the second appointment to the Board of Directors in 2022. Cherlette McCullough is a keynote speaker, author, mental health counselor, and owner of Center Peace Couples and Family Therapy. She received her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and has spent her 18-year career working within the child welfare community, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and specializing in helping individuals heal from trauma connected to family conflict.

JANUARY 11, ORLANDO – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida announced today the appointment of a new member to the board of directors. Ariel Cavazos, a Health Law attorney, with a focus on healthcare compliance, regulatory law, and government investigations has been appointed to the Mental Health Association of Central Florida’s Board of Directors. Ariel is a Florida A&M University College of Law alumna and is an attorney at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. “We are thrilled to have Ariel join our board and know that her experience serving the community, as well as expertise ensuring patients receive fair treatment, will be invaluable to our organization,” said Marni Stahlman, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida.

DECEMBER 15, ORLANDO – While the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted everyone's collective mental health over the past 19 months, it has had particularly devastating effects on children and young adults according to a new government report released last week by the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D. This new advisory cites research suggesting one in four young people globally have experienced depressive symptoms during the pandemic, and one in five have experienced anxiety symptoms. It points out that suspected suicide attempts rose dramatically among teenage girls and slightly among teenage boys in early 2021, compared to early 2019.

April 19, 2021 – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (www.MHACF.org) is pleased to announce keynote speaker, Alex Smith, National Football League (NFL) quarterback and 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year to commemorate the organizations 75th Anniversary at its upcoming annual “Legacy of Champions” Luncheon, presented by AdventHealth, on Friday, May 21st at Rosen Center Hotel hosted by Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell. In its eleventh year, the Legacy of Champions Luncheon will this year present the inaugural Candice Crawford Community Champion Award, presented by Mayor Buddy Dyer, to Mr. Harris Rosen, President of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, and the prestigious Community Heroes Award will be presented by Roseann Harrington, Chief of Staff to Mayor Jerry Demings to Dr. Luis Allen, Director, AdventHealth Center for Behavioral Health.

JUNE 28, ORLANDO – The Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) will launch “You are a Lifeguard,” an initiative aimed at preventing teen and adult suicide. You Are A Lifeguard, which will be unveiled on Thursday, July 1st, calls on individuals in the Central Florida community and beyond to “Take the Pledge” to take an active role in suicide prevention, particularly among adolescents ages 15 to 24, by being there for those in need. Community members that Take the Pledge to become a lifeguard are vowing to join the coalition that helps to identify, marginalize, and prevent suicides. MHACF’s goal is to ensure those in need have someone to turn to, whether it be to a friend, a family member, guardian, community member, school personnel, coach or a mental health professional.