• MHACA first formed in 1992: A small group of carers wanted more than just the clinical services available – they wanted rehabilitation services and to explore accommodation options.
  
  
• A Constitution was developed and incorporation was attained in 1993. With an official structure in place the committee applied for funding for a part-time Project Officer and, soon after, an Administrator. Their main aim was to improve services and the quality of life for people with a mental illness and their carers.
  
  
• MHACA services were initially based on the “Club House” model. This worked for a while but then developed into a ‘one-stop shop’ drop-in centre. In 1999 the Club House model was replaced with the Recovery-Oriented Pathways to Recovery Program – to better help people integrate back into
  the community.
  
  
• Over the following years MHACA gradually continued to expand:

• In 2001 - the Life Promotion Program was relocated to MHACA.
  
  
• In early 2005 - MHACA took over Anglicare’s Outreach Program which was integrated into the Pathways to Recovery Program.
  
  
• In October 2005 - the subacute Prevention & Recovery Program was implemented.
  
  
• In August 2006 – a Publications & Promotions position was funded - which in March 2007 was expanded into a fulltime Training & Promotions position.
  
  
• In late 2007 - the Day to Day Living Program was funded and implemented. This also incorporated a new GROW peer support program for Alice Springs.

MHACA’s first home at the old Gaoler’s Residence at 11 Stuart Tce, Alice Springs