Mental Health Association
Mental Health Association
302 W. Weaver Street Carrboro, NC 27510 919.942.8083
Our Mission...
Our Mission...
Mark Sullivan
Executive Director
Mark Sullivan is the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Orange County. He came to the agency in May of 2005 after 10 years of providing direct services in the field of mental health.
Mark has previously worked in case management with adults experiencing serious mental illnesses, counseled teens with mental health and behavioral disorders in a variety of settings, and consulted on an evaluation of mental health reform in the State of Arizona. He currently serves as Chairman of Healthy Carolinians of Orange County, is an ex officio member of the North Carolina Commission on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Disabilities, and is Chairman of the Orange County System of Care Collaborative.
Mark received his MSW from UNC Chapel Hill and received a BA in Therapeutic Use of Wilderness, with minors in Cultural Studies and Creative Writing from Prescott College in Arizona. His approach to life and work has been greatly influenced by experiences in foreign lands and wild landscapes.
Being a past provider of mental health services, a receiver of mental health treatment, and a family member of someone with a serious mental illness, Mark is committed to bringing about a greater understanding of mental health related issues, improving services, and reducing the stigma and shame that too often compound the difficulties of those affected by mental illness. Mark lives in Carrboro with his wife Kristen and several four-legged housemates. He can be reached at msullivan@mhaorangeco.org.
President
Matt Pohlman, CPA
Treasurer
Jackie Miles
Secretary
Evonne Bradford, MSW
Lifetime Member
Wil Edgerton, PhD
Special Advisors
Lisa Gamache
Mary Beth Hernandez
Prue Meehan, MA
Directors
Dean Blackburn, MA
Patricia Boll, MA
Anne Cardosa
Ed Eldred, JD
Karen French, RN
Mary Fraser, DSW
Maeda Galinsky, PhD
Kevin Grotsky
Carol Gunther-Mohr, MA
Libbie Hough, MSW
Rosemary Hutchinson
Charlene Lee
Beth McElhinny, LCSW
Ruth Morrow
Sheila Sholes-Ross
Marty Smith PhD
Board of Directors
The MHAOC provides a vital service to the community by linking a network of services and supports to the people who need them.
It's been nearly three decades since the birth of the Mental Health Association in Orange County. It started as the dream of just one person who wanted to help connect the many families whose lives were affected by one or more members suffering with mental illness, and now it has grown into a fully operational non-profit organization serving hundreds of local residents each year.
Our meager beginnings operated out of the founder's home and today we are housed in a professional office suite with five paid staff members and a corps of wonderful volunteers. One general program to raise community awareness and unite consumers has grown into many vital programs - with more programs and projects planned for the future.
Billie Guthrie
Director of Youth & Family Services
Billie began working for MHA/OC in July 2006. One of her roles at MHAOC is to direct The Community Backyard program. She also provides administrative oversight to the FAN, including supervision of the Strengthening Families Program. Billie received her BSW from Appalachian State University in 1999 and her MSW from the University of North Carolina in 2003. She moved to the Triangle in 2001 after accepting a position with Club Nova, and later worked for OPC Area Program as a Case Manager at the Northside Clinic and more recently as the Housing Coordinator/ Consumer and Family Advisory Council Liaison.
Now residing in Durham, she loves spending time playing volleyball, reading, making jewelry and hanging out with her cat Murray and two dogs, McCoy and Mr. Big. Billie can be reached at bguthrie@mhaorangeco.org.
Catherine Morgan
Program Assistant
Catherine began as a volunteer in the MHAOC office in February of 2004 and was quickly hired onto the staff because of her genteel, helpful nature, well-rounded knowledge and ability to multi-task. Her duties are lengthy and include business operations, maintaining the different databases within the organization, coordinating office volunteers, organizing mailings, and much more.
In addition to her duties around the office, Catherine is also a Peer Bridger and a Compeer volunteer. She is a dedicated member of our team and a committed advocate for people recovering from mental illness. Catherine can be reached at catherinem@mhaorangeco.org.
Julie Bailey
Family Advocate
Julie returns to the fold at FAN-MHAOC after having been away for over five-years. She worked for FAN when it began almost seven years ago and left to attend to the growing needs of her three young, special needs children. Now that almost all of them are grown and on their own Julie was able to return to the work force and share her experiences with other parents. Some FAN participants will recognize her, because she has been an active participant and volunteer with FAN the past two years. Julie's job focus will be on the monthly parent educational meetings, as well as the Peer Parent program, advocacy and mentor training, parent support meetings, families and school issues with IEPs and 504s, and adoptive parents whose children have emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues.
She brings nearly 30 years experience in public relations, journalism, and graphic design, including over 12 years experience as a workshop and support group facilitator, and experience working with non-profit organizations. In addition to her busy life, Julie is also a writer and the primary co-author of the book, "The Adoption Reunion Survival Guide" (New Harbinger Publications, 2001). She can be reached at julie@mhaorangeco.org.
Linda Boldin
Family Advocate
Advocates have come and gone during the seven year history of FAN, but Linda has been here for over five years, which qualifies her title as the longest reigning Family Advocate in the organization. Linda has been a constant, productive force in northern Orange County, providing parent education and support in the home, at public forums, and in schools, as well as providing vital assistance to families whose youth become entangled with the juvenile justice system, or the Department of Social Services.
Linda raised three children to adulthood, one whose special needs taught her the importance of advocacy many years ago. She says trying to navigate the system of services, providers, and school issues is what inspired her to become a Family Advocate and help other families with issues similar to her own. She can be reached at
Kurt O'Briant
Office Specialist
There is no job too big, or too small for Kurt. He comes to us through the transitional employment program at Club Nova, and does whatever needs to be done with enthusiasm. Kurt has many years of experience working in the retail industry and most recently worked in a lab at UNC. Kurt has a “can do” attitude and a great sense of humor. When he’s not here at the MHA, you can usually find him at work at the Club Nova Thrift Store.
Board of Directors
"Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness."
(Inscription on
the National
Mental Health Association Bell)
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The Mental Health Association in Orange County has an incredibly gifted staff comprised of compassionate, talented personnel. To learn more about each staff member, click on their name below:
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