SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
(800) 789-2647
info@mentalhealth.org

This information clearinghouse, part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, was developed for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, mental health providers, and the media. The information center's staff answers calls Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, Eastern Standard Time, referring callers to federal, state and local organizations dedicated to treating and preventing mental illness. In addition, the center is a clearinghouse for federal grants, conferences and other events. Its Web site also offers how-to publications on mental health recovery, including dealing with trauma, speaking out for yourself, building self-esteem, self-help, client rights and action-planning for recovery.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(written inquiries only)
6001 ExecutiveBlvd., Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov

The National Institute of Mental Health is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, which is the principal biomedical research arm of the federal government. The NIMH provides information to help people better understand mental health and mental disorders. Statistics and research on various mental illnesses, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments can be found on its Web site. (The NIMH does not provide referrals to mental health professionals or other health-care providers nor does it counsel people on specific mental health problems.)

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut St., Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(800) 553-4539 or (215) 751-1810
info@mhselfhelp.org

This national technical assistance center is run by mental health consumers and helps connect individuals to self-help and advocacy resources.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-7600
Helpline (800) 950-6264

NAMI, founded by family members of loved ones with mental illness, operates family support groups through its network of state and local affiliates. Its national membership comprises more than 200,000 people. Trained volunteers staff its toll-free helpline Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, Eastern Standard Time, offering information on various mental illnesses, referrals and support.

National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard St., 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 684-7722
Mental Health Resource Center
(800) 969-NMHA (6642)

The country's oldest mental health education, research and advocacy organization has more than 340 affiliates nationwide. Its Mental Health Resource Center noncrisis hotline offers general mental health information, including 60 brochures and fact sheets on a variety of mental health topics, how to become an active advocate for mental health rights, and referrals to more than 7,000 organizations nationwide.

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
1101 King St., Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-7710

This national parent-run organization focuses on the needs of children and youth who have emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families. Contact information for dozens of state chapters in the federation can be found on its Web site.

Mental Health and Aging
A Project of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
1211 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 751-1800, Ext. 266, or (800) 688-4246

While some of the organization's resources are only relevant for southeastern Pennsylvania, its Web site does include helpful tips for aging adults who have mental illness and their families. Features include a Patient's Bill of Rights and 17 questions to ask every skilled nursing facility about providing for mental health needs. The site also includes links to get information about Medicare, Medicaid, and other mental illness and aging issues.

National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
Policy Research Associates
345 Delaware Ave.
Delmar, NY 12054
(800) 444-7415
nrc@prainc.com

This national resource center, funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, focuses on the organization and delivery of services for people who are homeless and have serious mental illnesses. Its Web site includes a comprehensive listing of approximately 125 organizations nationwide dedicated to reducing the homeless mentally ill population.

National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. (NAPAS)
900 Second St. NE, Suite 211
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 408-9514
info@napas.org

NAPAS is the nationwide umbrella organization for the Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) and Client Assistance Programs (CAPs) of all U.S. states. P&As and CAPs comprise the nationwide network of federally funded, legally-based disability rights agencies mandated by Congress that assist people with mental and developmental disabilities in understanding and asserting their rights. The NAPAS Web site includes contact information for each state's agencies.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th St. NW, Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005-5002
(202) 467-5730

Named after the federal appeals court judge David L. Bazelon, whose landmark decisions pioneered the field of mental health law, this nonprofit legal advocacy organization provides private lawyers, legal services programs, American Civil Liberties Union chapters, and state protection and advocacy systems with technical support and co-counsel for selected lawsuits.. (The Bazelon Center is not able to handle requests from individuals for legal assistance.) The center publishes handbooks, issue papers, and reports explaining key legal and policy issues, many of which are on its Web site, where legislative and policy updates are also posted.

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