The Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH) is one of two advocacy organizations that specifically serve children who have a serious mental illness (SMI) or serious emotional disturbance (SED). The other Michigan organization that specifically targets children is the Michigan Association of Children with Emotional Disorders (MACED) The National Alliance on Mental Illness Michigan (NAMI MI) has specific programs for families that have young children with SMI/SED and the Mental Health Association of Michigan (MHAM) and NAMI MI [ both advocate for children, but not as a primary audience.

ACMH was founded in 1989 by two parents who had children diagnosed with severe emotional disorders (SED) to support other families that were struggling to deal with the shame and blame that families were receiving when their child was diagnosed with a mental illness (SMI) or severe emotional disorder (SED). The organization's membership and staff are statewide.

The Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH) focuses on providing information, support, resources, referral and advocacy for children and youth with mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and their families. ACMH focuses on support activities that help make the system of services better address the needs of children with SED and their families. They provide advocacy to individual children and their families to assist them in finding and obtaining services that are both appropriate and effective.

ACMH is a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Outreach Partner and is a statewide chapter of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. The organization's membership includes family members, professionals and other concerned community members. Locally ACMH advocates for system reform and innovation. At the state level ACMH advocates for policy that will improve services to families (the whole family).

ACMH often partners with the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Department of Human Services (DHS)/Family Independence Agency (FIA), Community Mental Health Authorities (CMHA) and agencies, Family Courts, the Department of Education and local school districts.

The Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH) vision statement states:

All Michigan children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges and their families live in a safe, welcoming community with access to needed services and supports.

ACMH has a listserv for parents, caregivers and family members. Click here and you will receive an email that alerts you to important happenings (trainings, legislative alerts, etc.

ACMH also has a bulletin board/forum. 

The Core Values of ACMH are that they are family-driven, community-based, strength-based, and whole-family-centered, but focusing on the child's individual needs.

ACMH is in the process of building an ACMH Statewide Youth Advisory Council with youth ages 16 to 23.
 
A number of different publications and resources are available on the ACMH website.