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Community and Internet Resources


Community: Support Groups and Disability Specific Organizations

Mental Illness

National

Community Access Information Resource Network provides a support network for those with psychiatric disabilities to enable them to have productive lives within the community. They are a non-profit organization that aids in the transition into the community by assisting with housing, education, training, and employment.

Hope to Healing is an online community for people living with Mental Illness with a mission to offer hope to persons who are struggling with their illness. Their website features stories of ordinary people with Mental Illness from every State and background who face the challenges of life with courage and hope enabling them to live very successful and meaningful lives.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a wonderful site and a non-profit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. It lists the symptoms, causes, and treatments, and discusses the many types of medications available. There are state and local chapters, walks, newsletters, veterans resources, and informative links for providers. They offer a number of consumer programs including peer support, interactive presentations and a consumer forum. They also offer a helpline, which is staffed Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and has a 24-hour message line. The HelpLine number is (800) 950-NAMI (6264). For more information, call (703) 524-7600 or write to NAMI, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042.

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. Their website features mental health information, news and legislative alerts, advocacy information and tools, a bookstore and much more. Visit their website to locate an affiliate in your area.

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse connects individuals to self-help and advocacy resources, and also offers expertise to self-help groups and other peer-run services for mental health consumers. The Clearinghouse has developed the Freedom Self-Advocacy Curriculum, a complete set of training materials that teaches individuals how to teach mental health consumers self-advocacy skills. They also offer legislative information, tips on how to start a self-help or peer group, and more. Visit this website to learn more.

Support 4 Hope offers a supportive on-line network with a primary focus on mental health and surviving mental illness. Their website features a chat room, a forum, a frequently asked questions section, and an opportunity to subscribe to their newsletter. They also offer information on specific mental illnesses as well as crisis numbers and suicide hotlines.

State Listings

Minnesota

Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network of Minnesota offers support to Minnesotans with Mental Illness. More specifically they offer an informative newsletter, host support groups and an annual statewide conference. For more information, visit their website.

New York

New York City Voices: A Consumer Journal for Mental Health Advocacy is a statewide on-line news source covering issues related to Mental Illness. Past articles have covered families, recovery stories, self help and stigma. Columns include, Ask the Attorney, Ask the Doctor, Ask the Therapist, Legislative Affairs, Sibling Voice and many others.

Wisconsin

Bridges Community Center, Inc. offers peer support, advocacy and empowerment for adults recovering with mental illness. For more information, call (262) 653-0061.

New Sign Grand Avenue Club, based in Milwaukee, works to provide people who have experienced mental illness with all the ingredients for a satisfying life - opportunities to get ready for work, paid employment, education, housing, as well as recreational and cultural opportunities. Membership to club is free. To learn more, call (414) 276-6474.

New Sign Grassroots Empowerment Project, the only state-wide non-profit organization that is controlled and directed by mental health consumers, exists to help people with a mental illness exercise power in their lives. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, the Project can be contacted by calling (800) 770-0588.

New Sign RAVE Drop In Center, located in LaCrosse Wisconsin, is a safe, comfortable place for people with mental illness to meet with their peers. You may meet with staff or simply socialize with others. RAVE offers craft activities, newspapers and magazines, educational opportunities and computer access. They also host a party with a meal on the third Wednesday of each month. To learn more about RAVE's offerings, contact them at (608) 785-9615 or visit the center, located at 1806 State Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

For more on the topic of Community:

Community and Internet Resources / Editorials / FAQ / Library and Research: News Publications and Media

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[Updated July 31, 2006]
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