From Serendip

MENTAL HEALTH Materials provided here are neither intended nor suitable for individuals needing practical assistance with specific mental health problems of their own or of friends/family/colleagues. For such situations, people should contact local mental health agencies, doctors, or other health care professionals. Some access points are provided here.

Center for Science in Society

• World Health Organization
  A specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes technical cooperation for health among nations, carries out programs to control and eradicate disease and strives to improve the qulatiy of human life. Site includes information on both physical and mental health, fact sheets on mental health issues, and important documents published by this organization.

National Institute of Health

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  One of the Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research and research training in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  The lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. Site includes current topics, funding and publications.

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
  NIAAA supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. Site includes links to publications, databases, press releases, research, conferences, and FAQs.

• National Institute of Health
  The NIH is one of eight health agencies of Public Health Services which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIH mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. NIH covers all areas of health, including mental health. NIMH is one of the Centers contained within the NIH. Site includes health information, grants and funding opportunities, news and events, scientific resources, and institutes, centers and offices of NIH.

• National Institute of Drug Abuse
  NIDA supports over 85 percent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. NIDA is part of the National Institutes of Health, in the Department of Health and Human Services. Site includes information on drugs of abuse, publications, scientific meeting dates & summaries, news releases, international research training, legislation, a search engine and links with NIDA constituent organizations, grantees and government sites of interest.

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
  NICHD seeks to assure that every individual is born healthy, is born wanted, and has the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential for a healthy and productive life unhampered by disease or disability. NICHD conducts and supports reserach on the reproductive, neurobiologic, developmental, and behavioral processes that determine and maintain the health of children, adults, families, and populations. Site includes news & events, health information & media, funding opportunities, intramural research, epidemiology, statistics & prevention, employment & fellowships, research resources, and a search engine.

National Institute of Mental Health

• Mental Health Information Fax Line
  An automated fax-on-demand system providing information on NIMH research, funding opportunities, and mental illnesses. Information can now be obtained on NIMH announcements and publications from this service, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Cyber Interventions in Mental Health: Ethical Considerations
  An NIMH website to provide guidance on web/internet-based interventions to minimize research risks.

• Medication Effective in Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
  From NIMH, this press release presents research information that found that a medication for the treatment of anxiety disorders was more than twice as effective as the placebo, or sugar pill.

• National Institute of Mental Health
  The mission of NIMH is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research in an attempt to achieve better understanding, treatment and, eventually prevention of mental illness. This site provides a wealth of information in the areas of news & events, clinical trials, funding opportunities, as well as information geared specifically for the public, for practitioners and for researchers, and a search engine.

• Facts about the NIMH
  NIMH aims to reduce the burden of mental illness through research on mind, brain, and behavior. This web page discusses the mission of NIMH, leadership, major research areas, extramural and intramural research, and clinical trials.

• Do you suffer from a mental disorder? Or do know someone who does?
  This section offers information from NIMH about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. Included are brochures and information sheets, reports, press releases, fact sheets, and other educational materials.

General Mental Health

• President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
  New Presidential Commission established to conduct a comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system, and to advise the President on ways to improve the system.

• Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
  International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies site providing information, links and registration materials for national screening days for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol abuse

• Health Finder
  A gateway consumer health and human services information web site from the United States government. Selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, web sites, and support and self-help groups, as well as the government agencies and not-for-profit organizations that produce reliable information for the public.

• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) informational website on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
  Provides information on subjects related to cultural competence, including the provision of mental health and other services to minority children.

• Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
  Supports programs that assist in educating children with special needs, provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities, and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

• The Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  Contains information on the Children's Campaign, community support, emergency services, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, managed care, mental health statistics, protection and advocacy, special populations, and state planning.

• Office of National Drug Control Policy
  ONDCP establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program, to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking; drug-related crime and violence; and drug-related health consequence. Site includes links to annual reports, publications, news and public affairs, drug facts, media campaigns, and state and local information.

• National Center for Health Statistics
  NCHS is the Federal Government's principal vital and health statistics agency that provides a wide variety of data with which to monitor the Nation's health. NCHS is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Site includes links to data on vital events, health status, lifestyle and exposure to unhealthy influences, the onset and diagnosis of illness and disability and the use of health care.

• Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
  SAMHSA is comprised of three Centers and two Offices that carry out the agency's mission of improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in order to reduce negative effects resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. Site includes a search engine, information on managed care, grants, programs & statistics, and resources and information on mental health and substance abuse issues.

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  AHRQ supports research designed to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce it costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to effective services. Site is focused on public health and includes clinical information, consumer and patient information, data & surveys, research findings, quality assessment and a search engine.

• US Dept. of Health and Human Services
  The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Site includes links to news & public affairs, HHS agencies, opportunities within HHS, related sites and a search engine.

• Administration for Children and Families
  ACF, within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. Site includes news updates, AFC programs & services, a search by topic or program and a search engine.

• Social Security Administration
  Site includes electronic publications (i.e., retirement, disability, appeals), benefit payments, on-line direct services, services for businesses, research & data, hot issues, laws, regulations & rulings, and a search engine.

• ADS Center, Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma, New Website from the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services

General Government Resources

• Food and Drug Administration
  The FDA web site includes information on safety alerts, product approvals, activities, a reference room, and hot topics.

• The White House
  This White House site includes information on the president, news, history, information for kids, tours, and appointments.

• The U. S. Senate
  This site inlcudes information on the US Senate, including senators, committees, legislative activities, learning about and visiting the senate, and a search engine.

• U.S. House of Representatives
  This site includes information on house operations, a directory and house sites, as well as office web sites that include member, committee and leadership offices, task forces, commissions and media galleries.

• Documents Center
  This site presents "Documents in the News: Current Events Research" which discusses government issues, including mental health issues, that make news headlines and web sources with additional information.

• Government Information Search
  FedWorld serves as the online locator service for a comprehensive inventory of information disseminated by the federal government housed within The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and Government Bulletin Boards. Site allows for searches on the FedWorld Information Network, FedWorld Information Network Web Sites, US Government Reports and Websites.

• General Accounting Office (GAO)
  The GAO examines the use of public funds, evaluates federal programs and activities, and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions. This site provides access to GAO Reports.

• Health Care Financing Administration
  HCFA is the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Includes links to medicaid, SCHIP, HIPAA, publications, local information, statistics and data, research, laws and regulations, and public affairs.

• Federal Register
  The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents. Helpful hints provide instructions for searching the database.

• Office of Mental Health
  As an office in the Philadelphia Department of Mental Health, this office provides adults and children who have a mental illness with needed medical, social and educational services.

• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
  Includes links to Office of Social Programs, income maintenance, medical assistance, mental health and substance abuse, mental retardation, and children, youth & families

• Office of Mental Health Services
  OMHS, a department of The Oregon Department of Human Services, assists people to become independent, healthy and safe by promoting mental health and optimal treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders. Site includes information about OMHS services, on-line data (publically released documents and presentations, pre-defined queries and custom query), news, links to related resources and a search engine.

• National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
  NASMHPD organizes to reflect and advocate for the collective interests of State Mental Health Authorities and their directors at the national level. NASMHPD analyzes trends in the delivery and financing of mental health services and builds and disseminates knowledge and experience reflecting the integration of public mental health programming in evolving healthcare environments. Site includes information on divisions/councils (i.e., adults, children, elderly, consumers, state hospitals), government relations and postion statements.

• National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors
  NASADAD is a private, not-for-profit educational, scientific, and informational organization whose basic purpose is to foster and support the development of effective alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment programs throughout every State. Site inlcudes information on departments (public policy, research and program application, national prevention network), as well as news, SAMHSA fastlink, events and newsletters.

• Council of State Governments
  CSG provides a network for identifying and sharing ideas with state leaders. CSG serves the executive, judicial and legislative branches of state government through leadership education, research and information services. Site inlcudes information on daily news, CSG programs, other resources (state and local government, law and justice, health, federal government and news) and the Center for Leadership, Innovation and Policy.

• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
  ASTHO is the national non-profit organization representing public health agencies (general and mental health) dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice. Site includes information on committees/projects, government relations, policy statements, public health resources, and a search engine.

• National Association of County and City Health Officials
  NACCHO is the national organization representing local public health agencies. It promotes national policy, develops resources and programs, and supports the development of effective local public health practice and systems that protect and improve the health of communities. Site is focused on public health issues.

• National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
  NASMHPD advocates for State Mental Health Authorities at the national level, analyzes trends in the delivery and financing of mental health services and builds and disseminates knowledge of the integration of public mental health programming in healthcare. Site includes information on government relations, position statments, divisions and councils, and meetings.

Back to Mental Health Project.

These resource lists are being maintained by Debbie Plotnick, working with Paul Grobstein, Department of Biology, and James Martin, School of Social Work and Social Research, at Bryn Mawr College. Suggestions for additions to the list are welcome, as are more general thoughts about how to most effectively make available information, and promote conversation, about issues of mental health. Contact dplotnic@brynmawr.edu - pgrobste@brynmawr.edu - jmartin@brynmawr.edu.


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