About Mental Health Hookup
MISSION
ADVOCACY
OUR BOARD & PARTNERS
Mental Health Affects All Of Us
Mental Health Affects Millions Every Year
Mental health is a vital part of our well-being, yet millions of people across the U.S. are impacted by mental illness annually. At Mental Health HookUp, we’ve witnessed firsthand how addressing mental health can transform lives and strengthen our community.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14.
- 75% develop by age 24.
Each Year:
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness.
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6–17 face a mental health disorder.
Learn more by viewing the NAMI Infographic
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Mental Health Hook Up Mission
At Mental Health Hook Up, our mission is to assist families in finding appropriate resources and to develop tailored programs for loved ones living with mental illness.
Our services are guided by a program developed by Barbara Wilson, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker in California with extensive experience in mental health care.
We focus on supporting families with adult or older adult members who have a serious and chronic form of mental illness. In addition to traditional therapy, we offer holistic, non-invasive treatments such as neurofeedback to promote healing and well-being.
What We Offer
- Referrals to mental health and community services.
- High-quality, cost-effective program design for hospitals and intensive care settings.
- Comprehensive care management for individuals with severe and chronic mental illness.
Together, we strive to create pathways to recovery and improved quality of life for those we serve.
Our Founder, Barbara B. Wilson, LCSW
Barbara B. Wilson, MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in California with a Master of Social Work and a lifelong commitment to mental health advocacy.
As a non-attorney disability representative and member of the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR), Barbara has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating mental health challenges.
In 1992, after a distinguished career as a psychiatric social worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Barbara retired. However, seeing the growing need for accessible mental health services, she founded Mental Health HookUp, a counseling and advocacy agency based in Santa Clarita. Operating on a shoestring budget, Barbara has continued to lead the organization with unwavering passion and determination.
A Visionary in Mental Health Care
Barbara B. Wilson has always been ahead of her time. As an innovator, she pioneered friendship circles through parks and recreation departments and organized board-and-care operators to facilitate outings and develop vocational opportunities for their residents.
Over the past decade, Barbara has tirelessly advocated for renewed state support for board-and-care homes, which have been closing at an alarming rate. These facilities, once a cornerstone of the mental health system, now operate with limited funding, leaving them often under-resourced and “shabby.” Yet, they remain a critical refuge for individuals with serious mental illnesses who might otherwise face homelessness, hospitalization, or incarceration.
Barbara’s dedication to families and mental health advocacy is unwavering. As the Executive Director of Mental Health HookUp, she continues to provide compassionate care and fight for systemic change to improve the lives of those most in need.
Read a recent interview from The Steinberg Institute acknowledging the work Barbara has done regarding Adult Residential Facilities and helping individuals and families who have Serious Mental Illness affect them.
Our Board
Robert Trostler, MBA, JD
Board Chair
Eva Carrea MSW, LCSW
Board Vice Chair
Nicole Wilson, MS, MPPM
Board Treasurer
Our Partners & Sponsors
Your Donations Make a TREMENDOUS Impact
Your Generosity Makes a Difference
With your generous, tax-deductible donation, we can expand our reach and help significantly more people in need of our services. Your support directly contributes to:
- Providing critical mental health resources and referrals.
- Offering holistic treatments like neurofeedback and traditional therapy.
- Supporting families navigating the challenges of serious and chronic mental illness.
- Advocating for essential services like board-and-care homes.
We greatly appreciate your partnership, whether through a monetary contribution or an in-kind gift. Mental Health HookUp is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Together, we can create a stronger, healthier community.