certified peer specialist

crisis manager

program assistant

family support specialist

program specialist

Mental Health America


Subject: A Concerning Experience at Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio

I would like to share my experience working at Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio, with the hope that it contributes to a more open dialogue about workplace issues.

I joined the organization with enthusiasm for contributing to mental health initiatives in the community. However, I've encountered challenges that have impacted my ability to perform my job effectively. One notable concern is the restricted access to essential tools and resources necessary for my role. The limitations on accessing key elements hinder productivity and create unnecessary obstacles.

Moreover, it's disheartening to observe a significant reliance on outside contracts over utilizing the skills and potential of dedicated in-house employees. This practice seems to undermine the sense of value and contribution that internal team members can bring to the organization. The apparent preference for external contracts raises questions about the utilization and development of the existing talent within the team.

These issues have contributed to a less-than-ideal work environment, with employees feeling hindered in their ability to excel in their roles. Constructive feedback from the team seems to be an essential component in addressing these concerns, fostering a more collaborative and productive atmosphere.

I would encourage the leadership team to reevaluate the current practices and consider more inclusive and employee-centric approaches. This could potentially lead to a more cohesive and motivated workforce, ultimately benefiting the organization's mission and the individuals it serves.

I believe in the mission of Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio and its potential to make a positive impact. I hope that sharing these concerns will contribute to a constructive dialogue about improvements that could enhance the overall work experience for employees.

When I accepted a role to spearhead a project from inception to completion, it came with so much excitement. The opportunity to work with bright minds and people devoted to the education of mental health was dynamic and revolutionary as the sector of mental health education continues to grow and change. However, what I quickly learned throughout my work experience was that passion, expertise and hard work wasn't a key ingredient for leadership and staff to be successful. It was favoritism, gossiping, gaslighting, bullying and being thrown under the bus and not to mention no accountability. In an agency that constantly spoke about advocacy and mental health, it didn't transfer over to employees. Outside stakeholders opinions held more value than the actual  employees who worked each and every day to provide the best forms of information for the folks that need it the most. Diversity is non-existent and cliques stand very strong. It's a normal behavior to be excluded from gatherings or information that's pertinent to your role to be withheld. Leadership doesn't believe in taking accountability and you're often left to your own devices to figure out problems that you didn't start. It's much easier to turn a blind-eye to unfair treatment than to do something that stops it. At no time during my tenure did I feel supported when I shared my experiences of microagressions and harassment. My own mental and emotional health deteriorated inside of an organization that states it takes pride in preserving it. I believe that working here should be heavily weighed and thoroughly considered as they do not practice what they preach. 

A typical day at MHA was always something to look forward to and very challenging in a positive way. The experience there taught me that there should be No Stigma on Mental Health Illness and that we are all the same no matter what our Mental Health status, condition, or situation may be on a daily basis. It has also given me good insight on the variety of different Mental Health Diagnosis.
  I was able to manage my daily schedule with clients in a very timely and professional manner without a problem. Being on time to work and completing paper work was also done in a professional, timely manner. Having a wonderful Boss/ Supervisors definitely helped my work ethic to become and stay great over the past 9 and a half years. I had great understanding with my Superiors and that has also greatly influenced my work.
  I have always been a team player and I have always worked well with co-workers on a daily basis.
  The hardest part of the job was to keep from getting emotionally attached to clients that were very ill with no one there for them. I struggled with keeping a client's life separate from my own because I always wanted to help. I felt that was my job.
  The most enjoyable part of the job for me, was being able to help and complete the task I had set for the client when their case was first opened. I would get to watch them climb the ladder to success and obtain many achievements independently.

However once you are hired on with MHA through the interview process I was informed that I would be contracted out to the START program in downtown Cincinnati.In which in a month was to learn two jobs! With must criticism.The entire training staff each took a one week vacation in my first two months! Then wondered why I had no one to shadow? The training process was a mess with in the START program! Expect a lot of drama and relentless gossip and bias at the START program.It felt as if I was back in highschool.At first I loved the initiatives involved only to learn that it’s all about the “chain of command”and not “for our communities.”The “foot soldiers” are amazing and deserve more credit than received.MHA I would continue to work for.However they just don’t have enough work apparently.START you couldn’t pay me to go back to work for.

The workplace culture is so terrible. A terrible executive director that micromanages and does not understand the work that needs to be done. They have neglected all the hard work being done by all of their staffers and criticizes the work that has successfully brought to the community. The management style is very micromanaging and has a very "my way or the highway" mentality. There is no sense of trust in the manager and therefore, actions are left abandoned and projects are halted. Many staffers leave work early because projects that took lots of planning were ended because the director does not approve. 

If you want to be a part of a workplace that allows you to be creative in your programming, presentations, and outreach, do not join the SD location. 

Dream job. Working with Board was wonderful as they allowed great autonomy for me, yet offered viable suggestions and assistance. Could have used a little more help with introductions to community movers and shakers, but basically had several Board members who knew where the money was and helped with fund raising for this nonprofit. Loved the work with support group, publishing newsletter, working with website, and providing programs for public organizations and groups. Hated to retire, but my kids and only grandchild lived too far away! 
Note: I began work with this nonprofit as facilitator for support group in 2002, then became Executive Director in 2012.

This is an awful place to work and I would not recommend it to anyone dedicated to helping others. This place is very involved in politics and the CEO changes policies on an hourly and daily basis making it hard to perform at the best of any employees ability. There have been numerous complaints to the board, but due to the board being inactive, nothing substantial has ever come from any complaints. For a nonprofit this place is heavily involved in politics and financial self gain and is not what it claims to be as it implements poor services and preys on those it claims to serve. Due to the incredible lack of accountability this “nonprofit” continues to thrive and does not follow through with its mission to help those who live with mental illness.

A typical day at work consists of some paper work and open door social club. Open door social club is where patients can come and hangout with the employees. We always have planned activities and back-up games just incase. Management is great at MHA. They are easy to communicate with when questions or concerns arise. I am very blessed that my co-workers are amazing to work with. The hardest or most challenging part of the job is trying to find the right words to say to say to some of the clients. They all have a special place in my heart and I try my best to do all that I can for them. The most enjoyable part of my job is everything that we do during open door social club. I love working directly with the patients.

I've been doing this job for several years now (5+). I do enjoy seeing my families and my kids, that's the best part about it truly. I do love many of my co-workers too and many are good friends outside of work. Data entry can be overwhelming, there's always a zillion things to do and never enough time to realistically get them done. Pay should be at least $3-5 more per hour than what I currently make around $17. We work so hard and I don't personally feel rewarded by the company. Upper management feels very distant from the field workers. Like they are way high up and we are the little people at the bottom of the totem pole.  But I've had wonderful supervisiors and they've always been helpful and supportive, that has made a huge difference in how long I've stayed. 

A fairly relaxed and often fun place to work. The caseloads are pretty large and can be overwhelming and the demands for the paperwork are very high.
The pay is absolutely ridiculously LOW for the job that we do and there is no opportunities for advancement unless you want to be a supervisor and be chained to a desk 8 hours a day for 40k. Most people find higher paying jobs and move on. They have fun events and the flexibility and opportunity to do computer work at home is the reason we all stay for now. You can have a life and you definitely do not have to miss your kids practice or games or a kids sick day due to the job. Frankly, for the pay, that is the least they can do. Raises are capped at 3%!!!!!!! So that is bleak.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Certified peer specialist 9 salaries reported	$19.49 per hour
Crisis manager 7 salaries reported	$26.57 per hour
Program assistant 6 salaries reported	$20.16 per hour
Family support specialist 3 salaries reported	$18.46 per hour
Program specialist 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour

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