Resources
Doctors and Clinics |Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) | Education/RTC | International | Legal | Legislation | Medications | Medication Assistance | Mental Health- Child/Teen | Mental Health - All Ages | State Resources | Suicide | Other Resources | For Teens & 20s
Doctors and Clinics
The Balanced Mind Foundation Find a Professional Directory
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Doctor Directory
Doctor Disciplinary Information by State (check licensing and disciplinary actions)
Report a Complaint Bad experience with a hospital or clinic?
The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets the standards by which health care quality is measured in America and around the world, and does on-site reviews of more than 16,000 health care organizations (see list on their site).
UPMC Bipolar Institute Consultation Service Drs. Boris Birmaher and David Axelson offer a second-opinion consultation service which provides a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation for children and adolescents with severe mood problems.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine This division of the National Institute of Health (NIH) conducts and supports research, trains CAM researchers, and provide information about CAM.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine(journal) - The journal of the International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
The Balanced Mind Foundation's Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Forum
Education
Going to College: a resource for teens with disabilities
Transition Year Online resource center to help parents and students focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition.
National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
Independent Educational Consultants Association
International Survivors Action Committee ISAC is a watchdog organization, focused on exposing abuse, civil rights violations and fraud perpetuated through privately-owned facilities for juveniles.
Residential Treatment Centers - 15 Questions to Ask The Bureau of Consumer Protection's publication for parents considering Residential Treatment placement for their children.
Characteristics of Residential Treatment For Children & Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances A report from Abt Associates prepared for the National Association of Psychiatric Health Care Systems (NAPHS) and the National Association for Children's Behavioral Health (NACBH).
SchoolMentalHealth.org An online clearinghouse of information for parents, students, clinicians and educators.
STARFISH Advocacy Association offers education information, online classes, support, and resources for parents raising children with neurological disorders.
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers state-by-state list of advocacy resources
Financial Aid Information for Students with Disabilities provides financial aid information geared towards students with disabilities.
Heath Resource Center at the National Youth Transitions Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary for individuals with disabilities.
International
Befrienders Worldwide works worldwide to provide emotional support, and reduce suicide. We listen to people who are in distress. We don't judge them or tell them what to do - we listen. Search the database for helplines in countries around the world.
Equilibrium - The Bipolar Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in the UK with an international focus. The website includes a listing of international resources.
World Federation for Mental Health global mental health directory can be searched by country, organization or disorder to locate resources world wide.
Legal
Student Mental Health and the Law This guide is geared towards college faculty and staff, but provides information helpful to students transitioning to or currently attending college, and their parents. Provides clarification of FERPA, disability law and other legal issues colleges face. Incorporates the most recent pieces of legislation that impact student mental health: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 and the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
International Survivors Action Committee ISAC is a watchdog organization, focused on exposing abuse, civil rights violations and fraud perpetuated through privately-owned facilities for juveniles.
The Balanced Mind Foundation's "Legal Issues of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder" guide
Legislation
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation's Policy Guide A guide to public policy work on behalf of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Information and articles about making federal policy: brief descriptions of key Congressional committees, Executive branch agencies, federal legislation and judicial decisions that are most significant for people with disabilities.
Medications
Bipolar Medication Guide for Parents: A guide developed by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists to inform parents about to how to obtain a complete psychiatric evaluation for their child and to provide a brief explanation of the various treatment options so parents can make knowledgeable decisions for their children.
Depression Medication Guide for Parents (updated 2010) The Balanced Mind Foundation-endorsed FAQ from the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on the use of medication in treating childhood and adolescent depression. PDF version
Discover Health Drug Interaction Checker: Interactions between drugs can be dangerous. Use the drug checker tool to see which combinations might be harmful. resource temporarily unavailable
International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements (IBIDS): A database of published, international, scientific literature on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and botanicals. IBIDS is produced by the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health to assist the public, health care providers, educators, and researchers in locating credible, scientific information on dietary supplements.
The National Library of Medicine offers free access to Medline, a searchable database of abstracts from over 4,000 biomedical journals, and many other resources for further reading.
DSM-IV TR: Behave-Net numerical listing of codes and diagnoses
MedTerms.com Medical Dictionary
Madison Institute of Medicine - comprehensive collection of information on lithium, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and many other mental illnesses.
Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (formerly "NARSAD"). The largest non-government, publicly funded organization that distributes funds for brain disorder research.
National Alliance on Mentally Illness (NAMI)
Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health
Medication Assistance Programs
Information on Free Medications for Low-Income Families
Mental Health- Children and Teens
Strength of Us An online community designed to empower young adults through resource sharing and peer support and to build connections for those navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in the transition-age years.
About Our Kids Child and adolescent mental health and parenting resource from the NYU Child Study Center.
About Our Kids on Doctor Radio Weekly radio broadcast on SIRIUS Doctor Radio (CH 114), bringing you essential information and advice about child, teen, and family mental health, produced by the NYU Child Study Center.
BPChildren.org features information, publications, and resources for young people and adults to help them understand pediatric bipolar disorder.
CHADD - Child and Adult Attention Deficit Disorder provides information and resources regarding ADHD.
AACAP Resource Centers The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry's website features helpful information and resources for parents regarding anxiety disorders, depression, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, as well as a disaster and trauma resource center.
Effective Child Therapy A website from the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP) and the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), providing parents and clinicians with accurate, up-to-date information on evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents.
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is an advocacy organization for families of children and youth with mental health needs. The Federation provides an opportunity for family members to work with professionals and other interested citizens to improve services for their children with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders
Assistance for Transition-Age Youth
The Bazelon Center has identified 57 programs, run by 20 or more different agencies in nine departments of the federal government. Moving On is a collection of fact sheets on these programs.
Getting an Accurate Diagnosis for your Child: 10 Steps for Families Ten steps families should take to help their mental health service provider make an accurate diagnosis; a resource of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The REACH Institute is commited to accelerating the acceptance and effective use of proven inteventions that foster children's emotional and behavioral health. In their Resources for Family section REACH features disorder profiles, treatment options, parent advocate training, and other REACH projects.
REACHOUT.com. Produced by SAMHSA this site has videos, audio clips and stories by teens directed towards teens. Addresses issues of mental illness, suicide, self injury, relationships, moving towards independence, school issues, maintaining health and much more.
Residential Treatment Centers - 15 Questions to Ask The Bureau of Consumer Protection's publication for parents considering Residential Treatment placement for their children.
Sibling Support Project
A national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. Offers a listserv (email discussion group) for kids, and workshops on sibling issues to audiences of parents, service providers, university staff and students, and siblings of all ages.
STARFISH Advocacy Association offers education information, online classes, support, and resources for parents raising children with neurological disorders.
Teen Screen Program, Columbia University
The Columbia University TeenScreen Program is an adolescent mental health and suicide-screening initiative active in 43 states.
Transition Year Online resource center to help parents and students focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition.
Mental Health- All Ages
International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) is committed to funding research and raising awareness to help people with brain disease, and, ultimately, find cures for schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Treatment Information Center at the Madison Institute of Medicine in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than 10,000 references already on file, the center collects and disseminates information about medications and other forms of treatment for bipolar disorder.
BPSO (support and information for Significant Others of those who have Bipolar Disorder)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration - Publications A comprehensive mental health site from the U.S. government with a wealth of free publications and resources on bipolar disorder and related issues like stigma, depression, anxiety, and other childhood brain disorders.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
Families for Depression Awareness, is a nonprofit organization providing educational information, community outreach training,and advocacy to help families and friends recognize and cope with bipolar and major depression.
Mental Health Parity Act - Fact Sheet Reading Library Information about the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
McMan's Depression and Bipolar Weekly. A free, informative, and lively digest of research, treatment, public policy, and the media, by John McManamy. Highly recommended.
National Institute of Health (NIH) Undiagnosed Diseases Program. Using a combination of scientific and medical expertise and resources at the NIH, this program works to provide answers to patients with mysterious conditions that have long eluded diagnosis, and to advance medical knowledge about rare and common diseases.
Reproductive Psychiatry Resource and Information Center Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for Women's Mental Health presents information on psychiatric disorders during pregnancy, breastfeeding and psychiatric medicine, PMS and PMDD, and more.
Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) SMRI is a nonprofit organization supporting research on the causes of, and treatments for, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It is the largest nongovernmental source of funds for research on these diseases in the United States.
State Resources
The Balanced Mind Foundation "Find a Professional" Local Resource Directory
Suicide
American Association of Suicidology promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.
Befrienders - International website with information and resources for suicide prevention including a listing of helplines available in countries around the world.
Compassionate Friends
Phone: (877) 969-0010
"Our mission is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive."
Suicide Prevention Action Network is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness, community action, and federal, state, and local grassroots advocacy.
Suicide Hotlines:
National Hopeline Network: (800) 784-2433
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Suicide hotline, 24/7 free and confidential.
National Youth Crisis Helpline: (800) 442-4673
Other Resources
The Balanced Mind Foundation "Find a Professional" Local Resource Directory
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
DNA From the Beginning: An animated primer on the basics of DNA, genes and heredity. Beautifully illustrated, clearly written, and searchable, by Cold Spring Harbor Web
Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health: A new guide designed to help employers improve the delivery of child and adolescent behavioral health services and provide services for family caregivers, was officially released by the National Business Group on Health, a national non-profit organization representing more than 280 mostly large U.S. employers.
The Endocrine Society
The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Endocrinologists are specially trained doctors who diagnose, treat and conduct basic and clinical research on complex hormonal disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and reproductive disorders.
How Children and Adolescents React to Trauma
Helping the Child or Adolescent Trauma Survivor
National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center Advocacy organization for parents falsely accused of child abuse, including Munchausen’s by Proxy Syndrome.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
National Respite Locator Service State by state directory of respite services.
PatientTravel.org is a service of the National Patient Travel Center, providing information on charitable, long-distance medical air transportation.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends) A 30-day treatment program for self-injurers such as adolescents who cut or burn or otherwise harm themselves. Web site provides information about this increasingly common behavior and suggests coping strategies and book, Bodily Harm.
Scholarships: http://www.bipolar-lives.com/bipolar-scholarships-entries.html , http://www.reintegration.com, http://peacecharlie.com/ and http://www.mhatc.org/scholarships.php
Summer Camps A comprehensive directory including special programs for children and teens with various diagnoses facing emotional, behavioral, learning, and social challenges.
Resources for Teens & 20s
Mental Illness: What a Difference a Friend Makes Resources for people living with mental illness—and their friends. Information, real-life stories, and tools to help in the recovery process.
Daily Strength Online support groups, including "Bipolar", "Bipolar-Teen", "College Stress", and many more. This site also has an "Ask an Expert" feature.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental health support, education, and advocacy. Discussion boards, articles on different mental disorders and medications
Half of Us - Get tips on how to fight the stress that comes along with mental health issues, and hear others' stories.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
Transition Year Online resource center to help parents and students focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition.