RESOURCES

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please dial 9-8-8. I am not a trained psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor, and I cannot respond to calls for help. However, for situations that are not urgent, many valuable resources can be found online. Some websites that I have found most helpful and informative include the following:

Finding Treatment

National Council for Behavioral Health

McLean Hospital

This organization represents the many hospitals, treatment centers, and other institutions dedicated to providing support for mental illness. Its website will help to quickly identify those places close to you that offer mental health services.

If you've read my book, you know how instrumental this place was for me and my family. I can't say enough good things about it. I'm especially partial to the folks at The Pavilion, which is McLean's comprehensive diagnostic center.

Finding Local Support

National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots organization dedicated to helping people in need of mental health support. NAMI chapters can be found in every state, so the attention you receive will be local. The website makes it easy to find the chapter closest to you.

Mental Health America

Much like NAMI, Mental Health America provides local, community-based support for people suffering from mental illness. Its website will help to quickly identify those places nearby that provide mental health services and resources.

Finding Information

National Institute of Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health offers research, data, and facts about mental illness. Think about its website as an online library for anything related to mental health. It's a wealth of information on statistics, clinical trials, latest scientific information, and almost all other topics.

Fighting the Stigma

Bring Change to Mind

Eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness is crucial, and this is one of the first organizations founded to do that. BC2M was started by the Close family, which includes the actress Glenn Close, her sister Jessie, and her nephew, Calen. It works with high schools to change the view of mental illness at an early age.

Change Direction

Change Direction is a campaign to alter the way that society views and discusses mental illness. Much like BC2M, the effort is focused on education, outreach, and understanding. It has initiatives across different parts of society designed to encourage people to discuss mental health in productive and supportive ways.

Finding Solutions

The Kennedy Forum

Started by former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, the Kennedy Forum is leading the effort to achieve mental health parity. "Parity," or the idea that insurance companies should treat mental health and addiction services no differently than other illnesses, requires significant coordination across state and national policies.

One Mind

Founded by the Staglin family in 1995, One Mind has become the leading scientific research nonprofit focused on brain health funding and patient support. The organization underwrites pivotal and groundbreaking studies with the goal of expediting treatments and cures for mental health disorders.