CMHC
Also written as: CMHC — Community Mental Health Center
A federally-funded organization providing comprehensive mental health services to a designated geographic area.
Full Definition
Community Mental Health Centers are federally-funded organizations established under the Community Mental Health Act to provide comprehensive mental health services to residents of a specific catchment area. CMHCs are required to provide crisis intervention, inpatient and outpatient services, partial hospitalization, consultation and education, and specialized services for children and elderly individuals. These centers serve as the foundation of the community mental health system in the United States.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when referring to a specific center. Use lowercase for the general concept.
In Context
- "The CMHC serves a catchment area covering three rural counties." — service area description
- "Federal funding requires the CMHC to maintain 24-hour crisis services." — regulatory compliance