Welcome to MPHA
The MPHA Mission: We strengthen public health professionals, engage stakeholders, and influence policy so every Michigan community can flourish.
Breaking the Stigma — Mental Health Awareness Month
Liyah U. Ruffin
Brief History
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 by Mental Health America (MHA) to increase awareness and promote education around mental health. Its origins trace back to the work of Clifford W. Beers, a former psychiatric patient who helped launch the American mental hygiene movement in 1908. His advocacy was instrumental in bringing national attention to the treatment of individuals with mental illness, advancing more humane clinical practices, and improving public perceptions of mental health conditions.
We would love to hear from you!
Make your voice heard by advocating for public health matters:
MPHA is seeking Board nominees for the 2026-2028 term:
Public Policy Updates:
April: Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Christina Sellers, Marcia Mastracci Ditmyer
What Is Parkinson’s Disease and Why it Matters:
Currently, more than 1.1 million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s Disease (P.D.), and an estimated 90,000 individuals are newly diagnosed each year.1,2 The number of people living with P.D. in the U.S. is projected to reach 1.2 million by 2030. Because the incidence of P.D. increases with age, the aging U.S. population is expected to contribute to this rising prevalence.1,2 Parkinson’s is one of the fastest-growing neurodegenerative diseases in the country, second only to Alzheimer’s disease.1,2
Save the Date: MPHA Annual Business Meeting & Summit
Epidemiology Section:
Public Health Nursing Section:
PHN Section Book Club:
For more information, click here.