Helpful Information and Resources

Rsources for Overcoming Life’s Obstacles

Here are some helpful links:

Autism

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Autism Society of America
National organization dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism.
1-800-328-8476
www.autism-society.org

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Autism Speaks
A national nonprofit advocacy group.
www.autismspeaks.org

Marin Autism Collaborative
A clearinghouse for information about autism and services.
http://marinautism.org

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Developmental Disabilities

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California Department of Developmental Services

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California agency that provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions.
(916) 654-1690
(916) 654-2054 (TTY)
www.dds.ca.gov

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California Regional Centers
Provides services for children with developmental disabilities.
(916) 654-1690
(916) 654-2054 (TTY)
http://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/RCList.cfm

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Easter Seals of Northern California
Provides services for children with developmental disabilities.
1-800-221-6827
www.easterseals.com

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Family Resource Center Network of California (FRCNCA)
Provides support for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
(415) 282-7494
www.frcnca.org

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Lifehouse
Provides services for people with developmental disabilities.
(415) 472-2373
www.lifehouseagency.org

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California Network of Mental Health Clients 
A peer-run advocacy organization for mental health consumers
1-800-626-7447
www.californiaclients.org

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Mental Health Association in California
Information and advocacy for people with mental health problems.
1-916-557-1167
1-800-273-8255
www.mhac.org

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National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
An advocacy group for people with mental illness and their families
1-800-950-6264 (Spanish)
www.nami.org (Spanish)

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National Institute of Mental Health 
Information and research on mental health treatments
1-866-615-6464 (Spanish)
www.nimh.nih.gov

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Mental Health America 
Information, advocacy, and referrals for adults and children
1-800-969-6642 (Spanish)
1-800-433-5959 (TTY)
www.nmha.org

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Patients’ Rights and Advocacy

California Office of Patients’ Rights 
Advocacy for patients hospitalized with mental illness
1-916-575-1610

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Substance Abuse

SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Federal organization that offers legislative information, mental health services, addiction treatment, prevention, statistics and data, workplace resources and policy issues.
1-877-726-4727
1-800-487-4889 (TTY)
www.samhsa.gov

Depression

All Treatment
Critical Mental Health Resources For College Students.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is a leading nonprofit group dedicated to helping kids, teens, and families affected by mental, behavioral, or developmental problems. On the web site, the AACAP provides resources for parents, including a link to find a nearby psychiatrist for children and adolescents.

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American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association is an organization of psychiatrists who unite to guarantee compassionate care and effective treatment for all people with behavioral and mental disorders, substance abuse problems, and mental retardation. Links from this web site will provide you more information about common mental health problems, medication options, and prevention steps.

American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest association of psychologists in the world. The APA’s site is filled with the latest information on topics ranging from addiction, ADHD, aging, and Alzheimer’s to bullying, eating disorders, sexual abuse, and suicide.

American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry
The American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry focuses on issues that happen during adolescence, such as mental illness, criminal behavior, and sexual abuse. On the web site, you can access book reviews pertaining to adolescent psychiatry, articles written by professional ASAP members, and the Annals of Adolescent Psychiatry journal.

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Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance web site provides timely information on depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, and explains how doctors screen for these conditions. This web site also provides information for the newly diagnosed as well as recovery steps, and ways to help a loved one with depression and bipolar disorder.

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Mental Health America
Mental Health America is a leading nonprofit group that supports good mental health for all people. On the web site, you can access information on mental health topics, depending on ethnic group, career or military, and age group.

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) supports research on depression and other mental health problems. The NARSAD web site has a wealth of information on depression, anxiety, OCD, and schizophrenia, with the latest research, feature articles, and information for the newly diagnosed.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

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The National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI works to support and educate the public about various mental disorders, with the goal of improving the quality of life for all persons diagnosed with mental illness. NAMI’s web site provides the latest facts, statistics, and research advances on different types of mental health conditions.

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National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a nonprofit group with member organizations across the United States. The web site explains its goal of assisting people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders so they can recover and lead active and productive lives. The web site also provides available support services along with inspirational patient stories.

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National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest research organization in the world that focuses on mental health diseases. The NIMH web site provides in-depth information and the latest findings on topics ranging from anxiety, ADHD, and autism to OCD, panic disorder, and depression.

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Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of all people who suffer from them.”
www.adaa.org

Freedom from Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association founded in 1984. The organization’s mission is to impact, in a positive way, the lives of all those affected by anxiety, depressive and related disorders through advocacy, education, research and community support.
www.freedomfromfear.org

National Institute of Mental Health 
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. Its public health mission mandates a focus on those with the most serious mental illness. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on mind, brain, and behavior.
www.nimh.nih.gov

National Mental Health Association
The National Mental Health Association is the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million people with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.
www.nmha.org

Suicide Prevention

HELP LINES

Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line, in LA County: (877) 727-4747
National Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: (800) SUI-CIDE 784-2433
RESOURCES

AAS American Association of Suicidology (professionaltraining/education/research/prevent/survivors): (202) 237-2280, www.suicidology.org

AFSP  American Foundation/Suicide Prevention (research & education): www.afsp.org, (888) 333-2377
Compassionate Friends, Inc. (parents grief): (630) 990-0010

www.compassionatefriends.org chat room 10am-11pm

Compassionate Friends/South Bay, LA: (310) 368-6845

NAMI-California: www.namicalifornia.org, (916) 567-0163

NAMI  National Alliance for Mentally Ill: www.nami.org, (800) 950-6264

Prevention Center Crisis Line, Outside LA County: (310) 391-1253
Rehabinfo.net http://www.rehabinfo.net/

SAMHSA Treatment Facility Locator http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

SA/VE  Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education (depression and suicide information): www.save.org, (952) 946-7998

SPAN-USA Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network: www.spanusa.org,
(202) 449-3600
784-2433, 24 hours, connects with local certified help (800) 850.8078
Health Center: (310) 390-6612

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Project, Light for Life

International: www.yellowribbon.org, (303) 429-3530