Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.

We are deeply saddened and grieved by the loss of our Executive Director Jim Preis. After several months of treatment for cancer, Jim passed away on October 12, 2018 with his family by his side.

The tremendous outpouring of community support over the last few weeks has been comforting during this difficult time. Jim's family told us he was delighted by all of the messages we were forwarding to him.

We are committed to carrying on the mission of MHAS to protect and advance the legal rights of people with mental disabilities. The Board of Directors and Staff are focused on continuing the work to which Jim dedicated his life and ensuring that his vision will live on. 

Throughout these last weeks, Jim remained committed to MHAS and the clients he had always served. He was looking to the future of MHAS and working with the Board to plan the leadership transition and the October 28 MHAS Annual Celebration event. The event, which will honor Jim's distinguished advocacy career, will go an as scheduled with the family's blessing. Donations in Jim's honor will help us continue his legacy. 

L.A. Times Obituary:
Jim Preis, L.A. activist who fought for the rights of the mentally ill and disabled, dies at 66 


Event Information:
Sunday October 28, 2018, 3:30pm-5:30pm
At the New Center for Psychoanalysis
Join us to celebrate a 41-year tradition of protecting and advancing the rights of people with mental disabilities and to honor the career of our long-time Executive Director, Jim Preis. 

Mental Health Advocacy Services (MHAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1977 that provides free legal services to low-income people with mental health disabilities. MHAS’ staff and volunteers assist approximately 3,000 children and adults with mental disabilities each year in Los Angeles County. Some of the areas in which MHAS assists clients are:
•       Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
•       Medi-Cal benefits
•       Access to mental health treatment
•       Special education for children with emotional disabilities
•       Veterans reintegration
•       Protection against housing discrimination

As the only legal services nonprofit in Los Angeles County exclusively focused on low-income individuals with mental health disabilities, many depend on the expertise of MHAS’ advocates. There is often nowhere else to turn for help, such as this instance when MHAS attorneys prevented an eviction for an elderly veteran with mental and physical disabilities. Without MHAS, she likely would have been homeless.


Sadly, that story is not uncommon. A 2016 Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health report estimated that there were over 355,000 County residents with serious emotional disturbance and serious mental illness living at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. The need for MHAS’ advocacy is as urgent as ever to ensure that our fellow Angelenos can secure the basic services, benefits, and housing they need to live independently.

Become a Sponsor and Purchase Tickets to the Annual Celebration 
•DIAMOND: $25,000+
Up to 16 tickets to the event, Full page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition (with logo) on website, Special presentation during the program
•EMERALD: $15,000 -$24,999 
Up to 12 tickets to the event, Full page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition (with logo) on website, Acknowledgement during the program
•PLATINUM: $10,000 - $14,999
Up to 10 tickets to the event, Full page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition (with logo) on website, Acknowledgement during the program
•GOLD: $5,000 - $9,999
Up to 8 tickets to the event, Full page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition (with logo) on website
•SILVER: $2,500 - $4,999
Up to 8 tickets to the event, Half page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition on website
•BRONZE: $1,000 - $2,499
Up to 4 tickets to the event, Half page in the Tribute Journal, Recognition on website

• SILENT AUCTION DONATION 
Name displayed at the event (via table displays and/or slide show), Listing in the Tribute Journal (half page for $500+ value), Recognition on website

•TRIBUTE BOOK 
Half page: $500

• TICKETS   
Individual VIP Ticket: $250
Individual Ticket: $150

•JIM PREIS FUND 
Please consider an additional gift to honor Jim’s legacy and to support the MHAS mission into the future.