Websites for Adult Consumers, Families, & Professionals
AboutOurKids.org (website of The New York University Child Study Center)
AboutOurKids is dedicated to increasing the awareness of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders and improving the research necessary to advance the prevention, identification, and treatment of these disorders on a national scale. Its goals are to increase the body of scientific knowledge about child mental illness, eliminate the stigma of being or having a child with a psychiatric disorder, improve the practices of professionals serving children, and influence child-related public policy.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
A comprehensive clearinghouse of educational materials, research reports, and fact sheets designed to assist families and professionals to understand developmental, behavioral, mental and emotional disorders affecting children and adolescents. Facts for Families is a downloadable series of 90+ single page fact sheets on childhood mental illnesses, risk factors, treatment, and other issues of interest to parents and educators.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
A national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Extensive resources packaged for mental health professionals, the public, and students. Many youth specific reports are available. The Children, Youth and Families Division http://www.apa.org/pi/cyf/homepage.html provides information and resources on current committee and public interest information related to children’s mental health issues.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
A nation-wide organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with anxiety disorders from various age and population groups (i.e., children, college students, older adults and military personnel). Offers information on prevention and treatment, as well as advocacy, education, training, and research.
ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. The Society and its chapters share a common mission of providing information and education, and supporting research and advocating for programs and services for the autism community.
California Institute for Mental Health (CIMH)
Reports and information related to the provision of mental health services in California. Addresses training, technical assistance, research, and policy development. Some topics specific to youth, particularly foster youth.
Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health-Columbia University (CACMH)
CACMH, a joint effort among Columbia University, the NY State Psychiatric Institute, and the NY State Office of Mental Health, is committed to accelerating the acceptance and effective use of proven interventions that foster children’s emotional and behavioral health. CACMH disseminates information and offers training to support the implementation of effective interventions that are user and family friendly.
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
A parent–led, web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, early-onset bipolar disorder provides information and resources. Phone: 847-256-8525
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder (CHADD)
A national organization representing individuals with AD/HD. Provides education, resources, advocacy, support and encouragement to individuals, families, educators and professionals.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
DBSA is a patient-directed, illness-specific organization whose mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. DBSA has a grass-roots network of more than 1,000 patient-run support groups that hold regular meetings across the United States and Canada. Phone: 312-642-0049 Toll-free: 800-826-3632.
A personalized website/blog by Dr. Cassandra Joubert, author of Losing Control: Loving a Black Child with Bipolar Disorder, and the Director of the Central California Children’s Institute at California State University, Fresno where she is also a tenured professor of public health. Dr. Joubert holds a doctorate in maternal and child health from The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and has raised a daughter with early onset bipolar illness. The website integrates professional and parental wisdom in compassionately assisting families who struggle with the stigma and information gaps around childhood mental illness.
Formerly National Mental Health Association, MHA is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, public education, direct services and research. The primary policy arm of the affiliate network in California, MHA in California strongly influences all areas of mental health policy in Sacramento. Locally, MHA of the Central Valley focuses on reaching populations historically underserved or unserved by mental health services including ethnic minorities, LGBT, youth (15 – 25) and older adults (60+).
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
This site provides excellent downloadable fact sheets which describe mental health disorders, educational implications, instructional strategies and classroom accommodations (teacher and parent friendly).
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Information on diagnoses, evidence-based treatments, research, legislation and advocacy. Helplines, chatrooms, publications, and free teleconferences. The Child & Adolescent Action Center provides information specific to children and youth. NAMI CA and NAMI Fresno provide state and local information and resources.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Child and Adolescent Mental Health
A component of the National Institutes of Health and part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIMH is the Federal government’s principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. Its mission: to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on the mind, the brain, and behavior.
A print copy of their publication Medications with Addendum: January 2007 can be ordered 1-866-615-6464 (toll-free) or accessed online at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/NIMHmedicate.pdf
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
SAMHSA collaborates with NIH and several other national organizations to feature the most comprehensive source of statistical, research, and educational documents addressing suicide. Reports specific to adolescents and counties can be accessed through site or links to other sites.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
A network of over 150 crisis centers nationwide that provides a confidential and free 24-hour hotline for anyone (or people who know someone) who is emotionally distressed or in a suicidal crisis. To access the Veteran’s Crisis line, dial the number above and press 1 to talk to a trained VA responder. The website also provides free material and information on the warning signs of suicide and how to help a person in crisis.
North American Society for Childhood Onset Schizophrenia (NASCOS)
A non-profit, internet-based group devoted solely to childhood onset schizophrenia. Families, caregivers and medical professionals can locate and contact each other in order to access and share information related to this rare, devastating disease. Families with children stricken by schizophrenia before age 13 and families/caregivers of older consumers, whose onset was during childhood, are welcomed to join for free.
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
Links to many resources, a directory of support groups, and multimedia program “OCD in the Classroom.” Features teen/young adult website Organized Chaos (listed above in “Targeted to Children & Teens”).
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends)
Information, resources and referrals for treatment and recovery from self-injurious behavior. Site is geared toward those 18+, however S.A.F.E. Alternatives will soon address children 13-17 who self injure.
SAMHSA is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The CAFB promotes and ensures that the mental health needs of children and their families are addressed by a “community-based system of care.”
State of California Department of Mental Health
Features resources related to the provision of mental health services in California including laws and regulations, licensing information, and a directory of mental health directors in each county. Also details the practice model “Children’s System of Care” designed to coordinate the delivery of interagency, multidisciplinary services for youth.
Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc.
Resources, support, education, and advocacy. Features a section just for kids (listed above in “Targeted to Children & Teens”)
United Advocates for Children and Families
Statewide (California) organization dedicated to education, support and advocacy for families with children and youth experiencing severe mental illness. Education, Equip and Support (EES) classes (free to parents/caretakers) cover: parent/caretaker grief, signs and symptoms, treatment, navigating systems (mental health, education, juvenile justice) and other topics critical to families. Youth and parent/caretaker networking.
UCLA Center: Mental Health in the Schools
Hosts a clearinghouse of articles and materials designed to assist service providers in delivering mental health services in schools. Information includes program planning and development strategies, model program descriptions and funding opportunities.