THE MISSION OF THE CHAS FOUNDATION IS: TO ADVOCATE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS; TO ADDRESS THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS; TO STREAMLINE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT; TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS BY WORKING WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROFESSIONALS; TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS IMPACTED BY THEIR LOVED ONE'S MENTAL ILLNESS. ESTABLISHED IN 2012, THE CHAS FOUNDATION AIMS TO STREAMLINE ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION. CHAS STANDS FOR COURAGE, HOPE, ACCEPTANCE, AND SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED IN MEMORY OF CHARLES H. KIRKWOOD (CHAS) WHO STRUGGLED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER, ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS BARRIERS TO TREATMENT, AND ULTIMATELY LOST HIS LIFE TO SUICIDE. THE ORGANIZATION BEGAN AS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE HOW MENTAL ILLNESS IS BOTH PERCEIVED AND TREATED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.