Our children's mental health--and our own--is a priority for parents, schools, our government, and the general public. In these troubled times, amid our many national challenges, the mental health concerns of children and adults alike are to be taken seriously and addressed as best we can. Fortunately, a great deal of expertise is available, as are help and support.
NICHCY is pleased to connect you with valuable resources within the mental health community. Utilize the expertise of the organizations and agencies listed below to learn more about mental health in general, specific behavioral or mental disorders, where to locate mental health services or practitioners in your community, and much more.
If It's a Crisis...
First things first, regardless of how frightening a note this is to begin on.
Call 1.800.784.2433.
www.hopeline.com/
National Hopeline Network connects callers automatically to a certified Crisis Center near their location. Crisis Center calls are answered by trained counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the event that the nearest Crisis Center is at maximum volume, the call is seamlessly rerouted to the next closest center. Callers should never encounter a busy signal or voice mail. For easy recall, remember this: 1.800.SUICIDE.
There's also 1.800.273.8255.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Another excellent resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which also provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For easy recall, think 1.800.273.TALK.
American Association of Suicidology (AAS).
www.suicidology.org
AAC is dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. For those seeking info and perspective on this difficult subject, including the warning signs and guidance on what to do, the association offers many publications that can help.
American Association of Children's Residential Centers (AACRC).
www.aacrc-dc.org
The American Association of Children's Residential Centers "brings professionals together to advance the frontiers of knowledge pertaining to the spectrum of therapeutic living environments for children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders." Its Member Directory provides a detailed listing its agency and individual members. Agency members are listed by state and are profiled. Profiles include information such as patient populations, number of annual admissions, licensure/accreditation information, fees and the program philosophy. Consumers can take a look online to see what types of residential centers are available to help children who need this sort of residence.
NICHCY's Quick Connections
Start with NICHCY's fact sheet on Emotional Disturbance.
http://www.nichcy.org/Disabilities/Specific/Pages/EmotionalDisturbance.aspx
If you're looking for an intro to emotional problems and the mental health field, this is a good place to start. Our fact sheet will hook you up with organizations that can help, online and print resources of more information, and an overview look at disabilities that cause mental health concerns.
Find mental health resources and experts in your state.
http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/StateSpecificInfo.aspx
Visit our State Sheet page and select your state. On the right of the display, you’ll then see various types of organizational links. There are now multiple places to find mental health connections.
- Select State Agencies and Organizations, and scroll down until you come to “State Mental Health Agency" and "State Mental Health Representative for Children and Youth." These are the state-level offices charged with providing assistance to individuals who have mental health concerns. They are a good place to connect with the state mental health network and find out what's what and who's who in your state at the agency level.
- Hit the BACK button on your browser, which will take you back to the general state sheet page. Now, on the right, select Disability-Specific Organizations. Scroll down to tind the heading labeled "Mental Health." Beneath are listed the state chapters of such associations as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and National Mental Health Association (NMHA). These can connect you with local chapters, if there are any, and a wealth of info, including in-state resources. Often, these chapters operate as parent groups as well, offering parents opportunities to talk with other parents, an excellent source of emotional support and practical advice.
- Hit the BACK button on your browser again. Out you’ll go, back to the general state sheet page. Now, again on the right, select Organizations Especially for Parents. If you're a parent looking for mental health connections for your child, try calling the organization you find listed under "Parent Training and Information Center" (PTI). The PTI can also tell you all about educational services for your child, special education, and working with your child's school to make sure your child's needs are addressed. Through the organization listed under "Parent to Parent" you can connect one-on-one with another parent in the state who also has a child with mental health concerns.
- Hit the BACK button yet again. Now, on the right, select Other Organizations. On some state sheets, this section may list additional organizations that address mental health concerns. Scroll through this section to see if that's true for your state's resource sheet.
Be Sure To Come Here
There are numerous sources of incredible information, support, and guidance on mental illness---across the gamut. We've listed a few starter links below where you can find out more about the range of specific mental disorders, interventions, family life, coping strategies, and much more.
NAMI, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
www.nami.org
NAMI calls itself the "Nation's Voice on Mental Illness" and is an invaluable source of information on the subject. In addition to the mountain of infoyou'll find on NAMI's site, you can also connect with state and local NAMI chapters.
Mental Health America.
www.nmha.org
Mental Health America addresses all aspects of mental health and mental illness. Delve into their online resources about mental issues and identify NMHA affiliates in your area.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
www.aacap.org
AACAP provides information to aid in the "understanding and treatment of the developmental, behavioral, and mental disorders that affect an estimated 7 to 12 million children and adolescents at any given time in the United States." At the link above, you canl find information on child and adolescent psychiatry, fact sheets for parents and caregivers, current research, practice guidelines, and managed care information, among other things.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
www.aap.org
Behavioral and Mental Health are among the many topics AAP addresses through easy-to-read fact sheets and other resources. Check out such areas as AAP's "Health Topics," "The Parenting Corner," and "Professional Education and Resources," to name a few, and you'll find a wealth of info on mental health topics.
Internet Mental Health.
www.mentalhealth.com/
Internet Mental Health is a free encyclopedia of mental health information.
Mental Help Net.
http://mentalhelp.net
A vast amount of info here on specific mental disorders, mental health, wellness, and family and relationship issues and concerns.
Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
www.pbis.org
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.
www.ffcmh.org/
The masthead on the Federation's Web site says that the Federation, a family-run organization, is the "National Family Voice for Children’s Mental Health."
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
A very rich resource. Some of the topics explored are:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
www.nimh.nih.gov/
Another very rich resource. Some of the areas you can investigate at NIMH are:
- Health information on various mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, AD/HD, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, OCD, panic disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and social phobias.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/index.shtml
- Medications http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/medications/complete-index.shtml
- Research, research funding, and clinical trials
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/index.shtml
Finding Mental Health Services
Find mental health services.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/
Courtesy of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Locator at the link above connects you with comprehensive information about mental health services and resources useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public.
Health care insurance for uninsured children.
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/
Did you know that each state has a health insurance program for children? Children who don't have health insurance right now are very often eligible for state medical coverage. The insurance is available to children in working families, including families that include individuals with a variety of immigration status. To find out what your state's policies are, what's covered, and how to apply, call 1.877.KIDS.NOW or find your state at:
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.asp
Medicaid benefits for mental health services.
http://medicaidbenefits.kff.org/
If you're eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to access mental health services through Medicaid. States vary, however, in what types of mental health services they provide under Medicaid. Use the database at the site to find what Medicaid benefits are available in your state.
Mental Health in Schools
Mental health in schools.
Starting in 1995, two national training and technical assistance centers were established to improve how schools address barriers to learning and enhance healthy development. Each of these centers is a source of information and technical assistance regarding mental health in schools. Take advantage of each of their databases, materials, and expertise:
- Center for Mental Health in Schools, UCLA
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/
Under "Search/Quick Find" in the main menu, you can search the Center's resources for just about everything but the kitchen sink related to mental health in schools.
- Center for School Mental Health, University of Maryland.
http://csmh.umaryland.edu/
This center maintains a library of resource materials including reprints, articles, and publications specific to school-based mental health. It also offers a comprehensive directory of school mental health programs around the world.
- School Mental Health Connection.
http://csmh.umaryland.edu/partner_proj/smhorg
A partner project of the above.
Project REACH: Resources for Teachers.
www.lehigh.edu/projectreach/teachers/teachers_reach.htm
This Web site was created to provide teachers with interventions that will help to make their classrooms positive and productive environments for learning. The Project REACH staff has searched the research literature for interventions that are effective for improving the behavior and academic achievement of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. They then took the most effective interventions from the research and translated them into easy step-by-step directions for implementing them in your classroom.
Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice (CECP).
http://cecp.air.org/default.asp
CECP is dedicated to improving services for children and youth with emotional and behavioral problems. Here, you'll find resources on school violence prevention and intervention, including the action guides Early Warning, Timely Response - A Guide to Safe Schools and Safeguarding Our Children. For many of NICHCY's visitors, the resources CECP offers on schools and special education will be particularly useful. There (at http://cecp.air.org/schools_special.asp), you'll find resources on conducting a functional behavioral assessment and creating positive behavioral intervention plans and supports, as well as prevention strategies that work.
Organizations on Specific Disorders
Looking for info and assistance related to a specific mental condition? In addition to what you'd find by visiting the organizations listed above under "Be Sure to Come Here," look over the quick alphabetical list below of organizations that focus on a specific mental disorder. They offer in-depth information, support groups, and guidance regarding that disability--perhaps the one of concern to you.
Anxiety Disorders.
www.adaa.org
Visit the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA).
Behavioral Disorders.
http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/behaviorexpertise.aspx
Visit NICHCY's Behavior suite for a detailed list of resources and organizations addressing behavior disorders and concerns.
Bipolar Disorders.
If this is your area of concern, try these groups.
- Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF).
www.bpkids.org
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA).
Toll-free number: (800) 826-3632
www.dbsalliance.org
- Dually Diagnosed: Mental Illness and Mental Retardation.
www.thenadd.org
The National Association for Dually Diagnosed (NADD) focuses upon the needs and issues of individuals who have both mental illness and mental retardation, and the professionals and families who share concern for these individuals.
Eating Disorders.
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) works to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues.
OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
www.ocfoundation.org/
The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF) is for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, their families, friends, professionals and other concerned individuals.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp
For more info and assistance on PTSD, you'll want to visit the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Spanish Materials
Connect with Spanish materials on mental health issues and mental disorders.
Spanish Information on Disability Conditions (English version).
http://www.nichcy.org/Documents/connections/spdisabconditions.aspx#ED
Part of NICHCY's stand-alone pages on Spanish materials on disability conditions includes a listing of Spanish language resources on mental health and mental illness. (Note: For our Spanish speaking users, we also offer this resource page completely in Spanish, below.)
The Spanish version---Información en Español sobre Discapacidades Específicas.
http://www.nichcy.org/Documents/connections/sp-spdisabcond.aspx
NICHCY se complace en conectarle a fuentes de información en español sobre Salud Mental/ Problemas Mentales. Presentamos esta página en español para nuestros usuarios hispanohablantes.