About Us

Our Mission

To strengthen resilience and recovery in our communities with mental health and substance use education, prevention, advocacy and supportive services.

Our Vision

We envision a just, humane and healthy community in which all people are accorded respect, dignity and the opportunity to enhance their mental health and develop to their full potential, free from stigma and prejudice.
"Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness."

This powerful inscription appears on the original MHA bell forged over 50 years ago from the iron chains and shackles that bound people in mental asylums. It serves as a reminder of our past and the progress made; it is a powerful symbol of victory over mental illness.

Since 1964, Mental Health America of Southwestern PA has worked to fight the stigma associated with mental illness through outreach and educational efforts. MHA provides educational programs that help individuals learn about mental wellness as well as explain the challenges of depression, bipolar disorder and other types of mental illness. 

Mental Health America of Southwestern PA is an affiliate of Mental Health America.

Staff Listing

Chief Executive Officer
  Laurie Barnett Levine, LSW  (x121)

Director of HR/Operations
  Ronald J. Weaver, M.Ed.  (x110)

Program Director
   Crystal Waters (x123)

Quality Management Director
  Beth Crofutt, MA (x118)

Director of Development
  Rachel Cunningham, MSJ (x128)

Office Assistant
  Stephanie Sopko (x0)

Behavioral Health Ombudsman
  Rod Agras (x117)

External Advocate at Torrance State Hospital
  Julia Valenti (724) 459-4583
  Russell Lambing (724) 459-4520

Community Advocate
  Pam Ackerman (x115)

Consumer/Family Satisfaction Team
  Beth Crofutt (x118)

Step Up Drop-In Center
  Martina Kaufman (724) 537-6120

Representative Payee Program
  Christine Fiano (x132)
  Rebecca Nicholson  (x113)
  Jessica Crosby (x129)
  Jennifer Fernell (x114)

Independent Monitoring for Quality
  Janice Heming (x112)

Board of Directors

Board Officers
President: Kim Sonafelt
Vice-President: Judge Anthony G. Marsili
Treasurer: Charles A. Deluzio, CPA
Secretary: William Magda
Past President: Marybeth Grandinetti Pultz

Board Members:
Judge Christopher Feliciani
Scott A. Harshman
Dr. Lisa Issac
Adam Quatrini, Esq.
Dr. Geith Shahoud
Molly Robb Shimko
Joan Stairs
Richard A. Stillwagon
Lisa A. Tatone
Suzanne Ward
Deborah Wasilchak

Donate to MHA of Southwestern PA

Your Generosity and Support can help improve the lives of those impacted by mental illness. We hope that you can help. Members will be recognized in our Innovations program booklet. Membership year is January 1 to December 31; donations made now will be credited towards the 2020 calendar year.