While you can find many Web sites that contain information on mental illness and care giving, the sites below may be particularly useful to family members.
| National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression | |
| NARSAD is the largest donor-supported organization in the world dedicated to the support of scientific research on brain and behavior disorders. The Web site features brief fact sheets on various mental disorders, offers order forms for free NARSAD publications, and highlights opportunities for families to participate in research either as study participants or as donors. | |
| National Alliance for the Mentally Ill | |
| NAMI is a not-for-profit organization comprised of more than 168,000 family members and advocates who seek to improve research and services for people with serious psychiatric illnesses. The NAMI Web site offers a vast array of pertinent information for family members and the general public including information on policy, research, medications, books on mental illness, notification of meetings, and news concerning mental illness. | |
| National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York State | |
| (NAMI-NYS) Focused on the need for self-help, support, and advocacy for families and friends of persons with severe mental illnesses, this site includes information about the state organization and its local affiliates. Other site resources include referral services, favorite links and updates on important advocacy issues such as mental health parity. | |
| National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association | |
| This site educates patients, families, and the public concerning the nature and treatment of depressive and manic-depressive illness. | |
| National Institute of Mental Health | |
| NIMH provides information on federally supported mental health research activities, including grants and contracts. The “For the Public” section offers information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. Brochures, information sheets, reports, press releases, fact sheets, and other educational materials are all available. The NIMH site also includes a publications order form (most publications are free), as well as press advisories and news on research findings. | |
| National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | |
| A sister agency to NIMH and NIDA, NIAAA provides information and publications relating to alcohol use and abuse. Many of the pamphlets and brochures are available in both English and Spanish. | |
| National Institute on Drug Abuse | |
| The NIDA Web site provides a vast array of information for researchers, health professionals, parents, teachers, and students. The site offers up-to-date news, research reports, fact sheets, information about common drugs of abuse, and information about co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Popular on-line publications on various aspects of drug abuse are available on the site. | |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | |
| (SAMHSA) This federal site provides information about and links to each of the three Centers under SAMHSA (the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment). Much of the emphasis of the site is on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse problems including, but not limited to, persons with severe mental illnesses. | |
| American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | |
| The professional association of child and adolescent psychiatrists established this site to provide information on legislation, advocacy, and research concerning child and adolescent psychiatry. Produced in English, Spanish, German, and French, the section of the site entitled “Facts for Families” provides easy-to-digest fact sheets describing the range of psychiatric disorders which may affect children and adolescents. | |
| American Psychiatric Association | |
| This Web site was developed by the professional organization representing more than 40,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. and abroad who specialize in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. The site provides information about psychiatric conditions for the general public and links to other mental health sites. | |
| National Mental Health Association | |
| Founded in 1909 by Clifford Beers, a former psychiatric patient, the National Mental Health Association was the nation’s first citizen volunteer advocacy organization. Much of the emphasis of the organization is on advocacy, prevention, information and referral, and public education. The site provides information and legislative alerts on public policies affecting persons with mental illness. | |
| National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse | |
| Funded by the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services, this site provides information for mental health consumers including descriptions of current activities, upcoming conferences, scholarship and employment opportunities, and a catalog of publications. Also available at the site is a sign-up area for consumers interested in joining an e-mail group focused on their concerns. | |
| New York State Office of Mental Health | |
| OMH operates all psychiatric centers across the state and also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 2,500 community programs, operated by non-profit agencies and local governments. This site provides information on these facilities, an organizational chart, the OMH strategic statement, and details of OMH regulations, including those currently under public review. The site also includes current and back issues of the OMH Quarterly, the agency’s quarterly publication. | |
| The New York State Psychiatric Institute | |
| NYSPI is one of two New York State research facilities funded by the Office of Mental Health. This site provides information on research, education and training, and clinical services. | |
| New York University Department of Psychiatry | |
| This site offers general information on the department, which is affiliated with the Nathan Kline Institute, and includes a special section for the public with information on. | |
Disclaimer Notice: We cannot assume any responsibility for the content or accuracy of the material contained in the links above, nor do they necessarily reflect the official policies of the New York State Office of Mental Health or any of its facilities. While the Internet can be an extremely useful resource, you should always consult a physician regarding specific concerns about the diagnosis and treatment of a serious mental disorder affecting yourself or a family member.