For more than 70 years, the Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC) has been a cornerstone of support for Long Islanders facing chronic and serious mental illness and psychiatric disabilities. As one of 143 affiliates of the national Mental Health America network, MHANC offers a wide range of programs rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the right to live and thrive in the community of their choice.

At the helm is Jeff McQueen, who has served as Executive Director for nearly 15 years. “We do a variety of things, but the overarching goal of the MHANC is to have an impact on our community’s experience with trauma,” Jeff explains.

 

Meeting people where they are

MHANC’s innovative programs focus on peer support, transitional services, and real-world skill development to empower adults and children with psychiatric and emotional difficulties on their paths to building productive and meaningful lives. From coaching around financial and daily living skills—like healthy boundary setting—to guiding people through smoking cessation and substance use recovery, to ensuring access to safe housing, the organization meets a full spectrum of needs for the community.

In fact, MHANC runs the only all-peer respite program in New York state. Turquoise House operates as a hospital-diversion model, offering people in crisis a home-like environment in which to stabilize without the fear of unnecessary hospitalization. At the Turquoise Houses, crisis becomes an opportunity for growth and connection.

The impact of MHANC’s programs is clear. Jeff recalls the progress of a young woman who came to Turquoise House struggling with substance use disorder and bipolar disorder. “She was only supposed to stay at Turquoise House for seven days,” shares Jeff. “But the progress she made was so profound, they extended her stay to support her continued healing. Just a month and a half later, she transitioned into our supportive housing program. Today, she’s thriving—three years sober, living independently in her own apartment, and giving back as a staff member at Turquoise House. Her journey is a powerful example of what’s possible with the right support.”

 

Shared experiences fuel the work

For Jeff, this work is deeply personal.

Diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 12, Jeff recalls listening to a doctor matter-of-factly inform his mother of all the things he’d never do. “I remember hearing the doctor tell my mother, ‘He’ll never be married, he’ll never have kids. He’ll never be able to go to school or have a meaningful relationship. He’ll probably live with you into his elder years.’ And I looked at the doctor and I said, ‘I’m right here’.”

After years of struggling to find his way, Jeff found hope during a conversation with his therapist, who asked him–very simply–“What do you want?”

“That was the first time anyone ever actually asked me that,” Jeff recalls.

This shift in perspective, from a sense of exclusion and powerlessness to one of agency and self-direction, became the foundation for Jeff’s recovery—and the personal experience that now guides his work at MHANC. “That’s how we start at MHANC. Let us know where you’re trying to go, and then we can roadmap you there.”

 

A partnership with HEALI that prioritizes collaboration over competition

Jeff was initially skeptical when New York State announced its 1115 Medicaid Waiver renewal. But after reviewing the proposal—and seeing that HEALI was named the lead entity of Long Island’s Social Care Network (SCN)—he saw real possibility.

The HEALI SCN connects community-based organizations (CBOs) like MHANC with healthcare providers and partners to address the health-related social needs (HRSNs) of Long Island’s Medicaid members. The HEALI SCN, led by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, screens Medicaid members for HRSNs like access to nutritious food, reliable transportation, and safe housing then navigates and refers them to services that can help meet those needs–and follows up.

In HEALI, Jeff immediately recognized a shared philosophy of collaboration. “They’ve created a space for organizations to be collaborative as opposed to competitive,” he says. “That was a win for me because I have an ‘abundant’ mentality. If we are sincere about the work that we’re doing, then we realize we have to collaborate.”

HEALI and MHANC work side-by-side to fill gaps in care. HEALI’s screening and navigation and its network of community-based partners ensures that MHANC’s clients get closed-loop referrals to services including healthy food, safe housing, and reliable transportation, all covered by Medicaid if they’re eligible.

“Working with HEALI has been a ‘yes’ to people who oftentimes get ‘no,’” Jeff shares. “Whether it’s a medical clinic or housing, we can ensure clients are going to good organizations with proven success rates. HEALI helps us pick the best of the best for our clients.”

 

Grounded in community

Jeff’s position as a leader of the community has not changed his commitment to being fully part of it. Every Thursday, he runs an empowerment group at Nassau County Jail, and he can often be found walking the streets, buying coffee for people he knows and checking in on families.

“I need them to know, I’m not judging. I just need to know the obstacles so I can help,” Jeff says. “If you tell me what’s really in your way, then I can implement some strategies to help you get over the obstacles. At the end of the day, you missed that appointment—but I really want you to make another one. Let’s try again.”

When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys golfing or cruising around town with his wife on their electric scooters. But his heart remains in the community.

“What I really enjoy more than anything is helping people. Sounds a little corny, but I do. I like to spend my day figuring out ways to do things for people.”

To learn more about the incredible work of MHANC, please visit here.