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

Traditionally, insurance providers have treated mental health as a category different from other health matters. "Parity" is the term used to suggest that mental health problems should be treated for insurance purposes as equivilent to other kinds of health problems.

• Pubilc Policy and Family
  National Council on Family Realations public policy links page. Visit the NCFR website for access to current family related public policy issues.

• Center for the Advancement of Health
  Dedicated to translating health research into effective policy and practice.

• National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health
  Provides national leadership to the maternal and child health community in program development, policy analysis and education, and knowledge to improve the health and well-being of the nation's children and families.

• The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
  Web site provides practical health care information, research findings, and data to help consumers, health providers, health insurers, researchers, and policymakers make informed decisions about health care issues.

• Mental Health: The Cornerstone of Health
  Mental health information related to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) research, programs, policies, and media campaigns and highlights the latest research findings and policy efforts.

• Policy Information Exchange
  PIE is a service of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, a leading center for policy, research, and training. PIE also provides access to the resources and services of one of the largest mental health libraries in the United States.

• Waguespack Seminars and Workshops Social and Mental Health Policy Links
  A list of links to sites dealing with metnal health and the law, policy, ethics, and search engines.

• "Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation
  A nonprofit, nonpartisan social policy research organization dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people and to enhance the effectieness of public policies and programs.

• Social Policy Virtual Library
  An international social and public policy research information gateway. Includes links to databases and statistics, organizations, journals, social security, poverty, research institutes and employment.

• MacArthur Research Network on Mental Health and the Law
  The purpose is to develop new knowledge about the relationships between mental health and the law, and to turn that understanding into improved tools and criteria for evaluating individuals and making decisions that affect their lives.

• An Introduction to Social Policy
  A detailed, yet schematic view of the main themes, concepts, and controversies surrounding issues of the welfare state and social services.

• Almanac of Policy Issues: Social Welfare
  A Project of Policy News magazine. The Almanac of Policy Issues provides comprehensive links and background information on major US public policy issues.

• The Social Science Information Gateway
  SOSIG aims to provide a trusted source of selected, high quality Internet information for researchers and practitioners in the social sciences, business and law. Part of the UK Resource Discovery Network.

• Online Dictionary of the Social Sciences
  This social science dictionary has 1000 entries covering the disciplines of sociology, criminology, political science and women's study.

Mental Health

• President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003
  Final Report delineates six goals and recomendations to remediate the fragmented mental health service delivery system

• Presidential Commitment to Mental Health Care
  Presidential Commission established to conduct a comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system, including public and private sector providers, and to advise the President on methods of improving the system.

• Congressional Sponsors Call for Parity Now
  NAMI site linking to updated senators and House member who are cosponsoring S 543 or HR 4066

• Prescription Privileges for Psychologists in New Mexico
  New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson (R) signed legislation into law authorizing properly trained psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications to patients, making New Mexico the first state in the country to institute such a law.

• Disparities and Gender Gaps in Women's Health, 1996
  This report focuses on three key aspects of parity in women's health, including insurance, access to care and health status.

• Mental Health Parity Act of 1996
  Text of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996.

• Insurance Parity for Mental Health
  Insurance Parity for Mental Health: Cost, Access and Quality. Final Report to Congress by the National Advisory Mental Health Council.

• NIMH Parity in Financing Mental Health Services, 1998
  The interim report to congress by the National Advisory Mental Health Council on NIMH parity in financing mental health services: managed care effects on cost, access and quality.

• Insurance Parity for Mental Health: Final Report to Congress, 2000
  Issues of cost, access and quality are presented in this final report to congress by the National Advisory Mental Health Council.

• Strategic Plan for Reducing Health Disparities
  Elements of this 5-year health disparities research strategic plan will be incorporated into an overall NIH strategic plan on reducing health disparities.

• SAMSHA Report on Parity, March, 1998
  The costs and effects of parity for mental health and substance abuse insurance benefits.

• Strategic Plan for Reducing Health Disparities
  A five-year strategic plan to address mental health outcome disparities through research that aims to describe, understand, and remedy the disproportionate impact on minority populations of mental disorders and behaviorally influenced physical health conditions such as HIV/AIDS.

• Press Release on the Expansion Of Mental Health/Substance Abuse Insurance Benefits, March 1998
  SAMHSA estimates that full parity for mental health and substance abuse services in private health insurance plans that tightly manage care would minimally increase family insurance premiums.

• Press Release: Low cost of Improving Mental Health Care Coverage Under Managed Care
  A press release discussing NIMH's National Institutes of Health Study that shows the low costs of improving mental health care coverage under managed care.

• Impact of Mental Health Parity Act
  SAMSHA study shows impact of mental health parity act largely positive.

• Financing Mental Health Parity in Managed Behavioral Health Care
  Summary of research findings based on the experience of three states and four private insurance plans with parity benefits.

• Interm Parity Report
  This paper discusses a released report that finds mental health care coverage cost-effective.

• Mental Health Parity: Can It Be Cost Effective?
  From the Assembly on State Issues Children, Families and Health Committee, July 2000. This session explored the disparities in insurance benefit coverage between mental illness and physical illness as well as the costs associated with providing equality in coverage.

• Effects of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996
  This report provides information on the effects of the federal Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA), which became effective on January 1, 1998.

• Financing Mental Health Parity in Managed Behavioral Health Care
  A new study on parity in financing mental health services: Managed care effects on cost, access & quality.

• HIPAA Insurance Reform: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
  Explanation of the Mental Health Parity Act, including frequenlty asked questions by consumers and employers.

• Summary of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996
  NAMI's summary of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996.

• Mental Health Parity Act Summary
  Detailed summary of the law and provisions of the regulations.

• Mental Health Parity Act: Despite New Federal Standards, Mental Health Benefits Remain Limited
  GAO's review of the implementation of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity, 2000
  A memorandum for personnel directors of executive departments and agencies from the director, Janice R. Lachance, regarding mental health and substance abuse parity implementation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program(FEHB).

• Mental Health: Community-Based Care Increases for People With Serious Mental Illness
  GAO's review of community based care, people with serious mental illness and safeguards for those enrolled in Medicaid managed health care programs.

• Consumer Questions and Answers on the Mental Health Parity Act
  Answers to questions commonly asked by consumers regarding the mental health parity act.

• Employer Questions and Answers on the Mental Health Parity Act
  Answers to questions commonly asked by employers regarding the mental health parity act.

• Help Understanding Parity Laws
  Links to three separate information kits to help employers, employees, and media representatives better understand the federal and state parity laws.

• Mental Health Parity Publications, Web Sites and Papers
  This site, from the Universitry of South Florida, provides links to federal parity legislation, full-text papers on parity, children's mental health parity and press releases.

• Bibliography of Materials Related To Behavioral Health Insurance Parity
  References for selected articles and reports regarding insurance parity.

Substance Abuse

• Legislation Introduced to Provide Parity for Addiction Treatment, March, 2001
  Members of government introduced legislation that would offer addiction treatment benefits in the same manner as all other medical and surgical conditions currently covered under private health plans.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
  Strategic plan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse focusing on reducing health disparities.

Aging

• National Institute on Aging
  Strategic Plan To Address Health Disparities Fiscal Years 2000 - 2005 focusing on reducing health disparities.

Children

• National Institute of Child Health and Development
  Strategic plan for the National Institute of Child Health and Development focusing on reducing health disparities.

Racial and Ethnic Parity

• Minorities Suffer Most From Lack of Mental Health Care, August, 2001
  It's hard to get good healthcare for mental illness in the U.S. But racial and ethnic minorities get the least and worst mental health care and suffer more disability because of it.

• National Health Care Disparities Report

• Department of Health and Human Services
  Department of Health and Human Services: Initiative to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health.

• American Public Health Association/Health and Human Services
  Campaign to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.

• The Treatment Advocacy Center
  A nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating legal and clinical barriers to timely and humane treatment for Americans with severe mental health disorders who are not receiving appropriate medical care.

• The Center on Human Policy (CHP)
  A Syracuse University based policy, research, and advocacy organization involved in the national movement to insure the rights of people with disabilities.

• Bazelon Center Advocacy and Legal Links
  e links to Internet sites with related advocacy information or tools related to the Bazelon Center's advocacy for the civil rights and human dignity of people with mental disabilities.

• The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
  Promotes improved educational opportunities for children with disabilities.

• National Association of Protection & Advocacy Systems
  Brings together the network of state agencies protecting the rights of people with mental illness or developmental disabilities.

• National Association for Rights Protection & Advocacy
  Working to protect the rights and enhance the dignity of people with mental health disabilities and people in recovery.

• National Coalition of Mental Health Professionals and Consumers
  Works to address the negtive impact of managed care on mental health.

• National Council on Disability
  An independent federal agency working with the President and the Congress to increase the inclusion, independence and empowerment of all Americans with disabilities.

• S.S.A.S. Connect
  A public posting board on Social Security (including disability) claims with links to the law and regulations.

• The Electronic Activist
  Forms for sending e-mail to congressional and statehouse delegations.

• Congressvote
  A nonpartisan online forum with commentary by some members of Congress in response to questions by users. Also has a searchable map to locate members by state.

• Congress.org
  Helps find your Representative by zip code, shows how he or she recently voted, lists committee members' links and has forms for email and letters you can create, print and mail.

• Advocacy Tips: Communicating with Congress
  From the National Coalition for the Homeless, this site provides pointers on how to influence elected officials through phone calls, letters and meetings.

• The Council for Disability Rights
  Practical information about the ADA, special education, and benefits.

• The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
  A coalition of national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.

• The Arc
  A national organization advocating for people with mental retardation. Includes information on mental retardation, press room, governemnt affairs, and resources.

• Mental Health Law
  A list of links to resources pertaining to legal issues and mental health. Includes legal resources, patients' rights, involuntary commitment and right to refuse treatment.

• Will Brady's On-Line Journal
  Links to sites containing information on mental health and human rights advocacy. Also includes information on publications, involuntary treatment, professional and watchdog organizations, and self-help organizations.

• Child Abuse Reported to the Police
  The Department of Justice’s OJJDP National Incident-Based reporting System (NIBRS) is available for child abuse researchers. Compiled from law enforcement, this bulletin encourages better understanding of the role of law enforcement and greater linkage between police and others responding to child abuse.

• Youth Risk Behavior Survey
  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention collects data from students in grades 9-12 on health-related risks.

• SAMHSA: Office of Applied Studies
  This office provides the latest data on alcohol and drug abuse, drug related emergency department episodes and medical examiner cases, and the nation's substance abuse treatment system.

• Data Trends
  Summaries of research articles on children's mental health done by the University of South Florida s research center are offered by the Research & Training Center for Children's Mental Health.

• Fedstats
  More than 70 agencies in the United States Federal Government produce statistics of interest to the public. The Federal Interagency Council on Statistical Policy maintains this site to provide easy access to the full range of statistics and information produced by these agencies for public use.

• ChildStats.gov
  This web site offers easy access to federal and state statistics and reports on children and their families.

• Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1999
  A collection of statistics on social and economic conditions in the United States.

• Households and Families
  From the U.S. Census Bureau: demographic characteristics of households and families.

• US Census Bureau Housing Topics
  Data on homeownership, housing vacancies and affordability, a survey of property owners and managers, a survey of market absorption of apartments, historical trends and more. Includes links to the underlying surveys.

• State of the Cities (National Urban Policy Report)
  From the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Includes: the State of the Cities reports, State of the Cities Data Systems, bibliographic database dedicated to housing and community development.

• American Fact Finder
  Provides users with the capability to browse, search, and map data from many Census Bureau sources.

• United States Historical Census Browser
  Data about the people and the economy of the US for each state and county from 1790 to 1970.

• Current Population Survey
  A monthly survey of about 50,000 households conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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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