Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) was formally organized on January 13, 1950 by Dr. Manuel Arguelles as a response to the call of WHO to assess the mental health problems in the country brought by World War II. The office of the association was then located at the Methodist Social Center in Sampaloc, Manila. In 1958, it moved to its present home at #18 East Avenue, Quezon City.
In 1958, PMHA organized its first provincial chapter in Cebu City. Creation of PMHA Chapters in strategic parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Regions followed after.
With its 69 years of experience in mental health advocacy, PMHA has created and implemented programs for the youth, the family, and in more recent years, the grassroots level through the Mental Health Community Based Program