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Patient Support and
Advocacy
Organizations
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI is a nonprofit,
grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers,
families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such
as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic and anxiety disorders.
With more than one thousand local affiliates and fifty state organizations
NAMI provides education and support, resources to combat stigma,
support for increased funding for research, and advocacy for adequate
health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, and jobs for people with
mental illnesses and their families.
To find patient and caregiver support services in your area contact
your local NAMI affiliate.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the country's
leading patient-directed organization focusing on depression and
bipolar disorder. The organization's mission is to improve the lives
of people living with mood disorders. DBSA has a grassroots network
of over 1,000 patient-run support groups across the country. Visit
their site to find a support group in your community.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The NIMH is a Federal agency whose mission is to reduce the burden
of mental illness through research. The agency utilizes powerful
scientific tools to achieve better understanding, treatment, and
eventually, prevention of mental illnesses that affect millions
of Americans. This Web site provides comprehensive information on
mental illnesses and the available treatment options.
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's
oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects
of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates
nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans,
especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through
advocacy, education, research and service.
To find patient and caregiver support in your area contact your
local NMHA support affiliate or call the NMHA Affiliate Helpline:
1-800-969-NMHA (6642)
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
NARSAD is a private, not-for-profit public charity 501(C)(3) organized
for the purpose of raising funds for scientific research into the
causes, cures, treatments and prevention of severe psychiatric brain
disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression.
Schizophrenia.com
Schizophrenia.com is a not- for- profit resource center that provides
information, support and education to patients, caregivers and family
members whose lives have been impacted by schizophrenia. The site
is run by volunteers whose lives have been impacted by the disease
(patients and caregivers).
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Patient support
groups
Peer-to-Peer: NAMI's consumer education and recovery program
Peer-to-Peer is a unique, experiential learning program for people
with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing
and maintaining their wellness and recovery. Peer-to-Peer consists
of nine two-hour units and is taught by a team of three trained
"mentors" who are personally experienced at living well with mental
illness.
Participants come away from the course with valuable resource tools
including a "relapse prevention plan" to help identify telltale
feelings, thoughts, behavior or events that may warn of impending
relapse and to organize for intervention, among other materials.
Peer-to-Peer currently exists in several states around
the country and more states will begin to offer this program. To
learn more about this program contact your state NAMI.
NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI [6264].
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), In our own Voice
Education program
The In Our Own Voice Education Program is an informational outreach
program on recovery presented by trained consumers to other consumers,
families, students, and professionals, and to all other people who
want to learn about mental illness. It is designed to offer insight
into how people with serious mental illness cope with the realities
of their disorders while recovering and reclaiming productive lives
that have meaning and dignity. It provides an opportunity for consumers
to gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and income while serving as
role models for the community — and as living proof that mental
illness is nothing to be ashamed of and that recovery is an ongoing
reality. NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI [6264].
Schizophrenics Anonymous
Schizophrenics Anonymous (S.A.) is a self-help consumer-run support
group for people with schizophrenia. Like Alcoholics Anonymous,
it has a program of recovery which intends to help members rise
above their illness. The purpose of S.A. is to help restore dignity
and sense of purpose for persons who are working for recovery from
schizophrenia and other related disorders. S. A. offers fellowship,
positive support, and companionship in order to achieve good mental
health. The aim is to improve attitudes about the illness and its
impact on people's lives and to provide members with the latest
information regarding schizophrenia and its treatment.
Healthyplace.com
Healthyplace.com is a community of experts and everyday people
dealing with psychological disorders who provide mental health information,
support, and the opportunity to share experiences helpful to others.
This online resource provides comprehensive information on psychological
disorders, psychiatric medications, support groups, HealthyPlace.com
Radio, a weekly live mental health radio show and more.
The International Affiliation of Compeer programs (IACP)
COMPEER, INC. is an international not- for- profit organization
that matches caring, sensitive, and trained volunteers in one-to-one
friendship relationships with children and adults (generally same
sex) referred by mental health professionals. The Compeer program
is an adjunct to therapy and is based on the concept that a volunteer's
friendship, advocacy and support can offset the loneliness and isolation
that accompany mental illnesses. Volunteers visit their Compeer
friend for a minimum of four hours a month for a year and share a variety
of social, recreational, and educational activities with their friends.
- Compeer Group Placement volunteers may be matched
with individuals who live in supervised settings.
- Compeer's Project Homeless volunteers serve
as a connection to the community – to residents of local
shelters.
- Compeer Calling addresses the needs of those
who are housebound, both volunteers and those wanting a Compeer
friend.
- Compeer Youth Program provides role models
for their young Compeer friends.
Partners in Community Access to Recovery and Empowerment (CARE)
Partners in CARE, an initiative of the National Mental Health Association
(NMHA), addresses the treatment needs of individuals with schizophrenia
and other serious mental illnesses. Partners in CARE reflect NMHA's
commitment to the idea that all individuals deserve the chance to
live fulfilling, productive, independent lives integrated into their
communities.
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Caregiver support groups
NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program
The NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a free 12-week course
for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses.
The course is taught by trained family members. The Family-to-Family
curriculum focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression),
clinical depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses
and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to
cope more effectively.
Family-to-Family classes are offered in hundreds of communities
across the country. All instruction and course materials are free
for class participants. Contact your local NAMI affiliate to register.
Schizophrenia and Related Thought Disorders: A Repeating Workshop
for Families (The Family Resource Center)
This two-week program, facilitated by Lawrence Haber, PhD, is for
family members and friends of individuals in the Hartford, Connecticut,
area who have schizophrenia or a related disorder. The program presents
a basic understanding of schizophrenia and its treatment, along
with specific suggestions to help family members and friends better
cope with this illness. Call 860-545-7731.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) was the first
community based non-profit organization in the country to address
the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home.
FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels
to support and sustain caregivers.
FCA is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges
they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need
and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services,
research and advocacy.
National Alliance for Caregiving
The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to providing
support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them
and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) supports, empowers,
educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who
care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one. NFCA reaches
across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships
and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns
of all family caregivers.
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Counseling Resources
Imagination Workshop
Imagination Workshop is a non-profit, theatre arts organization
dedicated to bringing, professional artists into a working, artistic
relationship with 'at risk' children in schools, psychiatric patients,
and homeless individuals.
Imagination Workshop makes the arts safe and effective for all
students and patients. Behind the guise of a character, even the
most frightened and regressed person can reveal thoughts, desires,
and needs which they cannot express as themselves. As the participants
work together, they learn self-discipline, cooperation, and social
skills, finding artistic passageways out of their isolation.
Imagination Workshop provides workshops at locations such as, the
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Los Angeles; Metropolitan
State Hospital, Norwalk; Lincoln Middle School, Santa Monica; Olympic
High School, Santa Monica; and The Accelerated School, South Central
Los Angeles.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),
an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
was created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving
the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse
disorders. SAMHSA's vision is a life in the community for everyone.
SAMHSA's mission is to build resilience and facilitate recovery
for people with or at risk for substance abuse and mental illness.
In collaboration with the states, national and local community-based
and faith-based organizations, and public and private sector providers,
SAMHSA is working to ensure that people with or at risk for a mental
or addictive disorder have the opportunity for a fulfilling life
that includes a job, a home, and meaningful relationships with family
and friends.
Dual Recovery Anonymous™
Dual Recovery Anonymous™ is an independent, non-professional,
12-step, self-help fellowship organization for people with a dual
diagnosis. The goal of the organization is to help men and women
who experience the dual illnesses of chemical dependence and emotional
or psychiatric illness.
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Vocational
Resources
The International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD)
The International Center for Clubhouse Development is a global
network creating opportunities for people living with mental illness
to be respected members of society. ICCD clubhouses are founded
on the realization that recovery from serious mental illness must
involve the whole person in a vital and culturally sensitive community.
A clubhouse community offers respect, hope, mutuality and unlimited
opportunity to access the same worlds of friendship, housing, education
and employment as the rest of society. Visit the ICCD Web site at
www.iccd.org to find out if there is a clubhouse in your area.
Fountain House
Fountain House is a nationally recognized center for research into
the rehabilitation of individuals with mental illness. It is a key
training base for the worldwide replication of Fountain House's
pioneering Clubhouse Model. Increasingly, too, it is an influential
voice in continuing efforts - local, statewide and national - both
to promote the rights of men and women with mental illness and to
battle the barriers and stigma they face. The Fountain House vision
is that people with mental illness everywhere achieve their potential
and are respected as coworkers, neighbors and friends." Since it's
founding in New York City in 1948, Fountain House has helped over
16,000 men and women to achieve more independent, more productive
and more rewarding lives.
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