Mental Health Association of Oregon is Rebranding

Mental Health Association of Oregon is rebranding to be inclusive of addiction recovery services. The organization is excited to announce that their new name will be Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon, abbreviated MHAAO.

In January of 2015, the organization launched EVOLVE, which offers peer support services to individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues. The organization’s new name reflects the work that they actually do as it relates to their direct peer support services.

This name change also reflects the diversity of peers and organizations served by MHAAO’s other programs: technical assistance programs, Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center, as well as the Oregon Peer Delivered Services Coalition.

MHAAO’s annual conference, Peerpocalypse, is also shifting focus to be more inclusive of all types of addiction, from substance use disorder, to behavioral addictions such as gambling and shopping addictions.

The conference will take place in Salem, Oregon, from May 20 to May 23, 2019.

Janie Gullickson, Executive Director of MHAAO, made the announcement on Tuesday, stating, “We wanted to highlight the full spectrum of programs and services we have actually been providing for a couple of years now. We will always strive to be respectful of the diversity of lived experiences and inclusive of all types of addiction and mental health recovery.”