Useful Mental Health Organizations

[Guest guest]

Hello Group

I found this information at the Lexapro.com website and I thought it might

be useful. They are primarily mental health organizations.

I am not selling Lexapro. I just happened to be looking at the site to see

about medication assistance plans.

Kaylene

Moderator

This section of Lexapro.com was created to provide you with a wealth of

useful information and resources about depression. It's a place where you

can find links to a wide range of depression and mental health organizations

and their websites in your area and around the country. It can help put you

in touch with self-help, advocacy, and support groups whose members share

your issues and concerns. The suggested reading list describes a number of

books that you may find of interest. Some are written by people who have

experienced depression themselves and provide helpful insight on coping and

recovery.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIMH supports research in science and genetics leading to a better

understanding of the causes of mental illness, so that improved treatments

and cures can be found. Website includes information about the symptoms,

diagnosis, and treatment of various mental illnesses; the latest advances in

treatment and brain research; research articles; educational programs on

anxiety disorders and depression; a list of upcoming meetings and events;

and information about clinical trials.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

NAMI is a grassroots self-help support and advocacy organization for people

with mental illnesses, their families, and friends. Website offers

information about mental illness (with a special focus on schizophrenia and

other psychotic disorders); treatment breakthroughs; government policy and

legislation; legal issues and patients' rights; and programs, support

groups, and other resources for family members. Also included are a

Helpline, listings of upcoming meetings and events, and links to other

mental health sites.

National Mental Health Association (NMHA)

The NMHA promotes victory over mental illness and the stigma associated with

it through advocacy, education, research, and service. Website includes

information on the range of mental illnesses and how they affect all age

groups; healthcare reform and the rights of consumers (including parity of

mental health benefits with other health coverage); suicide prevention; and

treatment guidelines. Also included are a confidential online screening test

for depression and a list of community support services. For additional

information, access to NMHA's Help Desk is also provided.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

The DBSA provides education about the nature and management of depressive

and manic depressive illness (bipolar disorder) as treatable medical

diseases. Website includes information on symptoms and screening; adolescent

depression; advocacy issues (such as how to start a support group); funding

for mental health research; patient assistance programs; a calendar of

related events; and links to related websites. Also includes updates on the

status of various mental health legislation.

American Psychological Association (APA)

The APA is the world's largest association of psychologists, with a

membership of more than 159,000 researchers, educators, clinicians,

consultants, and students. Website provides books, journal articles, and

research findings on such issues as depression in women and children, child

abuse, sexual orientation, television violence, and controlling anger. Also

offers access to databases containing more than a million references to

psychologically relevant literature, referrals to local psychologists, and a

list of psychological associations and related organizations around the

world.

The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA)

The APsaA is a professional organization of psychoanalysts throughout the

United States. Website provides a range of printed resources; programs and

seminars; dates and locations of meetings and events; and advice on finding

a psychoanalyst in your area. Includes " Ask a Psychoanalyst, " where you can

get answers to general questions about psychoanalysis. Other topics include

the relationship between psychoanalysis and privacy and confidentiality,

economics and managed care, and public policy.

National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS)

The NAPHS, created in 1933, advocates for behavioral health by coordinating

treatment and prevention services and programs for children, adolescents,

and adults with mental and substance use disorders. Website provides links

to NAPHS member organizations and institutions and to other consumer help

lines. Also included: a resource catalog, news releases, and ways providers

can market their services or products to NAPHS members.

New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI)

The NYSPI is the oldest psychiatric research institute in the United States

and one of the largest in the world. More than 300 biological, behavioral,

and social research studies are currently being conducted there. Website

provides links to a wide range of services, including the Anxiety Disorders

Clinic, Depression Evaluation Service, Child Research Center (for depression

and anxiety), and Schizophrenia Research Unit. Also included: a calendar of

events and information on research and treatment for various psychiatric

disorders.

National Mental Illness Screening Project (NMISP)

The NMISP was developed to coordinate nationwide mental health screening

programs and to ensure that they are conducted properly. It is also involved

in a number of research initiatives designed to shed new light on America's

mental health. Website offers information about no-cost, anonymous,

community-based screening programs for alcoholism, anxiety disorders,

depression, and eating disorders, among others. Also provided: suicide

education and research and information about interactive telephone screening

programs.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

The AFSP funds research, education, and programs aimed at the understanding

and treatment of depression and the prevention of suicide. Website provides

suicide facts, danger signals, and advice on what to do if a loved one may

be contemplating suicide. Topics include the role of neurobiology in

suicide; child and adolescent suicide; suicide and AIDS; and the issue of

assisted suicide. Also included: information on suicide research; related

meetings and events; and how to contact survivor support groups in your

area.

National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. (NAFDI)

NAFDI was established to educate the public, healthcare providers and other

professionals about depression as a biochemical illness and to encourage

research and innovative treatment for the disorder. Website includes

important facts about depression's biological basis, its symptoms, and

treatment. Also included: the current issue of the NAFDI News, an advice

column called " Ask the Doctor, " additional health information resources, and

a list of things you can do to feel better.

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)

NARSAD raises and distributes funds for scientific research into the causes,

cures, treatments, and prevention of severe mental illnesses, primarily

schizophrenia and depression. Website provides media news; an online

newsletter; answers to frequently asked questions by medical professionals;

and educational brochures, such as " Conquering Depression " and

" Understanding Schizophrenia. " Also included: a reading list, grant

guidelines, and a posting of important events and announcements.

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Support Groups

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

Colonial Place Three, 2107 Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA

22201-3042;

(800) 950-NAMI (6364) or

A grassroots, self-help support and advocacy organization for patients,

families, and friends dealing with mental illness. NAMI has approximately

1200 affiliates and over 203,000 members in all 50 states. The group strives

to be recognized as the primary source for information and referral on all

aspects of mental illness and supports continued scientific research into

causes and possible cures.

Emotions Anonymous

PO Box 4245, St. , MN 55104-0245;

A 12-step organization similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Participants meet

weekly to work toward recovery from emotional difficulties. Diverse

membership includes people of all ages, economic status, social and

educational backgrounds.

Recovery Inc.

802 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60610;

A mental health self-help program based on the work of Chicago psychiatrist

and neurologist Dr. Abraham W. Low. A pioneer in the development of the

self-help movement, Dr. Low believed that psychiatric patients could take an

active role in regaining and maintaining their mental health by learning to

control their responses to recurring symptoms. There are currently over 700

active Recovery Inc. groups throughout the United States and Canada, as well

as in Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Spain, and Israel.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

The AFSP, which funds research, education, and treatment programs aimed at

the prevention of suicide, has compiled a national directory of survivor

support groups for families and friends of people who have committed or

attempted suicide. The group directory is listed state-by-state, so you can

be quickly directed to information about groups in your area.