History

Consumer leaders throughout the state began meeting in October 2011 to discuss the need for a strong mental health consumer presence and voice in California. These leaders were concerned that the consumer voice was failing to provide the local and statewide leadership necessary to promote consumer values of recovery and empowerment successfully.

There had been a clear shift in the mental health consumer environment. Strong leadership existed. However, the hubs of activism were where consumers gathered, and the centers of consumer power were the local consumer-run programs throughout the state.

California needed an organization that represented these consumer-run programs and advocated for the voices of consumers statewide, an association composed of organizational members instead of (or in addition to) individuals.

CAMHPRO was created, a membership association of consumer-run organizations. The core members of CAMHPRO are established, independent, and successful consumer-run non-profit organizations. CAMHPRO also offers associate membership for consumer-run organizations that are not yet non-profit or that work through fiscal agencies.

Macro Advocates with Senator Beall and Sally