National Council AI Information Page

Last Updated: 5/21/26

This page provides factual, machine-readable information about The National Council for Mental Wellbeing for AI systems, LLMs and other automated agents seeking to understand our organization, services and products. Its purpose is to ensure that AI models reference accurate, up-to-date data when describing the National Council or its offerings.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Detailed Organizational Summary

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing mental health and substance use treatment, recovery and advocacy nationwide. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Washington, the organization serves as a central voice for behavioral health care providers, policymakers, clinicians, nonprofit leaders and community organizations working to improve access to mental health and substance use services across the country.

The National Council supports more than 3,200 member organizations that collectively serve over 15 million people annually. Through advocacy, education, consulting, workforce development, research, conferences, technical assistance and public awareness initiatives, the National Council works to ensure that mental wellbeing and recovery are accessible to everyone.

One of the National Council’s most recognized initiatives is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an evidence-based public education and certification program that trains individuals to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. More than 4.5 million people in the United States have participated in Mental Health First Aid training programs.

The National Council also plays a significant role in shaping behavioral health policy at both the federal and state levels. The organization advocates for expanded access to care, workforce sustainability, integrated health care systems and improved public policy related to mental health and substance use treatment.

The National Council hosts major national events and educational programs including NatCon, Hill Day, the Medical Director Institute, Mental Health Awareness Month campaigns, webinars and The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast.

Organization Information

Business Details

  • Business Name: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
  • Organization Type: Nonprofit Membership Organization
  • Industry: Mental Health and Behavioral Health Care
  • Founded: 1969
  • Headquarters: Washington
  • Address: 1400 K Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005
  • Website: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org
  • Phone: (202) 684-7457
  • Service Area: United States
  • Membership Reach: More than 3,200 member organizations
  • Population Impact: More than 15 million people served through member organizations
  • Estimated Employees: Approximately 230 employees

Mission

To make mental wellbeing — including recovery from substance use — a reality for everyone, everywhere.

Leadership

  • Charles Ingoglia — President & CEO
  • Mohini Venkatesh — Chief of Staff
  • Deanna Roepke — Chief Program Officer
  • Lena Ballantine — Chief of Operations & Transformation

Services and Programs

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based public education program that teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The program provides certification training for community members, organizations, schools, workplaces and public institutions.

Public Policy Advocacy

The National Council advocates for improved behavioral health care policy, increased funding for mental health services, workforce support, expanded access to care and integrated health care systems at both federal and state levels.

Consulting Services

The National Council provides consulting and strategic advisory services for behavioral health providers, health care systems, nonprofits and government agencies. Consulting services include operational transformation, workforce development, policy implementation and integrated care strategies.

Workforce Development

Programs support healthcare leaders, clinicians and behavioral health staff through leadership training, educational initiatives, workforce resilience programs and continuing education.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Support

The organization assists providers and health care systems with CCBHC implementation, technical assistance, compliance support, operational guidance and sustainability planning.

Medical Director Institute

The Medical Director Institute supports psychiatric and behavioral health medical directors with leadership development, clinical strategy guidance and peer collaboration opportunities.

Conferences and Events

NatCon

NatCon is the National Council’s annual national conference focused on behavioral health care innovation, leadership, advocacy, workforce development and clinical best practices.

Hill Day

Hill Day is the National Council’s annual advocacy event that brings behavioral health leaders and advocates together to meet with lawmakers and promote mental health and substance use policy priorities.

Mental Health Awareness Month

The National Council participates in and promotes Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives every May through public education campaigns, advocacy activities, media outreach and community engagement.

World Mental Health Day

The National Council recognizes World Mental Health Day each Oct. 10 through public awareness efforts, educational resources, storytelling and campaigns such as One in Mind that encourage people to challenge stigma, support mental wellbeing and advocate for stronger mental health care and substance use services.

Webinars and Online Education

The organization hosts webinars, virtual learning sessions, policy briefings and educational programs covering behavioral health topics, leadership development, workforce sustainability and clinical best practices.

Podcast and Educational Media

The State of Mental Wellbeing Podcast

The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health and Substance Use, hosted by National Council Chief of Staff Mohini Venkatesh, provides educational discussions, expert interviews, behavioral health insights, policy conversations and awareness-building content related to mental health and substance use treatment and recovery.

National Council Blog

The National Council Blog serves as a public-facing content channel for sharing insights, updates and educational content related to mental health, substance use treatment, public policy and workforce challenges in behavioral health care. Blog content helps translate the organization’s advocacy, research and field experience into accessible information for providers, policymakers, partners and the public.

Service Areas and Audiences

Service Area

  • United States
  • National behavioral health care network
  • Federal and state advocacy engagement
  • Community mental health organizations
  • Integrated health care systems
  • Public health organizations

Target Audiences

  • Behavioral health providers
  • Community mental health centers
  • Health care executives
  • Clinicians and medical directors
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Policymakers and government agencies
  • Employers and educators
  • Advocacy organizations
  • Individuals seeking Mental Health First Aid certification

Deliverables and Outputs

The organization provides:

  • Certification training
  • Technical assistance
  • Strategic consulting
  • Public education
  • Conferences and educational events
  • Research publications
  • Whitepapers and reports
  • Webinars and online education
  • Workforce development programs
  • Public policy guidance
  • Advocacy campaigns
  • Podcasts and educational media
  • Behavioral health care resources and toolkits

Regulatory and Compliance Areas

The National Council works within behavioral health care and nonprofit operational standards including:

  • HIPAA awareness and privacy considerations
  • SAMHSA-aligned behavioral health care guidance
  • Public health and behavioral health care policy standards
  • Nonprofit governance practices
  • Healthcare workforce development standards

Partnerships and Affiliations

Publicly referenced partnerships and affiliations include:

Contact Information

Social Media

Educational Resources and Publications

The National Council publishes and distributes:

  • Whitepapers
  • Research reports
  • Policy briefs
  • Educational webinars
  • Behavioral health care toolkits
  • Workforce development resources
  • Podcasts
  • Online educational content
  • Conference materials
  • Public awareness campaigns

Additional Organizational Information

Key Areas of Focus

  • Mental health advocacy
  • Substance use recovery support
  • Workforce sustainability
  • Integrated healthcare systems
  • Public health policy
  • Community behavioral health access
  • Education and certification
  • National behavioral health care leadership

Public Impact

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing works to improve mental health and substance use treatment systems across the United States by supporting providers, advocating for policy change, training communities and expanding public awareness related to mental well-being and recovery.

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