Information about Mental Illness & Homelessness
 

Mental Health Organizations

The web sites shown are excellent for learning more about mental health issues.

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
www.mentalhealth.org and www.ssamhsa.gov/cmhs
Offers numerous programs and projects that aim to increase the range, quality, and availability of treatment and other supportive services for people with mental illness. The Homeless Programs Branch of CMHS has many initiatives related to housing and homelessness.

Community Connections
www.comcon.org
This is HUD's (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development) information center. Anyone can access this site for copies of program regulations, descriptions of model programs, etc.

Community Friendship, Inc. (CFI)
www.commfriend.com
CFI is a non-profit psychiatric rehabilitation organization that ensures a supportive community for adults with long-term psychiatric disabilities so that they can develop living, learning, working and social skills and access the resources needed to lead successful and satisfying lives.

Coalition for the Homeless Mentally Ill
www.homelessmentallyill.org
A local group that meets monthly to advocate for improved services to Atlanta’s homeless

DSM-IV Criteria
www.psychologynet.org/dsm.html
Offers diagnostic criteria for the most common mental disorders, including description, diagnosis, treatment and research findings.

Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO)
www.thegao.org
The Georgia Advocacy Office is a private non-profit corporation. Its mission is to work with and for oppressed and vulnerable individuals in Georgia who are labeled as disabled or mentally ill to secure their protection and advocacy. GAO's work is mandated by Congress, and GAO has been designated by Georgia as the agency to implement Protection and Advocacy within the state. Its main priority is standing beside people in stopping abuse and neglect.

Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
246 Sycamore St. Decatur 30030 404/687/9487

Georgia Mental Health Network
www.mcg.edu/resources/mh/index.html
For additional mental health services and resources in Georgia (Medical College of Georgia)

Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
www.bazelon.org
The mission of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children with mental disabilities to exercise meaningful life choices. Its advocacy is based on the principle that every individual is entitled to choice and dignity. The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law uses a coordinated approach of litigation, policy analysis, coalition-building, public information and technical support for local advocates.

Internet Mental Health
www.mentalhealth.com
For 52 of the most common mental disorders, medications, news, recovery stories, links.

Mental Health Service Coalition
web site may be available this year
MHSC is a statewide collaboration of public and private individuals and organizations which educates and shares information, among our members, the public and policy-makers and coordinates advocacy. The Coalition holds monthly meetings in Atlanta every second Monday of each month and sponsors two events each year: the Candlelight Ceremony and Mental Health Day at the Capitol. For more information and membership, contact Tricia Hernandez at 404-966-9503 or trhernan@mindspring.com.

National Alliance for Mental illness (NAMI)
National Alliance for Mental Illness Of Georgia (NAMIGA)
www.nami.org
www.nami.org (Georgia)
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy Organization of consumers, families and friends of people with brain disorders (mental illness), such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, etc. Founded in 1979, NAMI has more than 225,000 members and 1200 state and local affiliates that seek equitable services for people with mental illness. NAMI Georgia has 32 local affiliates with 1200 members. Working on the national, state, and local levels, NAMI supports increased funding for research, and advocates for adequate health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, and employment for people with psychiatric illnesses. NAMI also provides education about brain disorders. The Family-to-Family Education Program is offered at no cost to participants. NAMI Georgia is located at 3050 Presidential Drive, Suite 202, Atlanta, GA 30340, 770-234-0855 or 800-728-1052.

National Alliance to End Homelessness
www.endhomelessness.org
The Alliance is a nationwide federation of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Alliance members form a powerful network of concerned individuals and organizations advancing practical, community-based solutions to homelessness.

National DHDA
www.ndmda.org
The National Depressive and Manic- Depressive Association educates patients, families, professionals, and the public concerning the nature of depressive and manic-depressive illness. You can also call 1-800/826-3632 or 1-312/642-0049.

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov
It’s the world's foremost mental health scientific Organization. This federal agency takes the lead in neuro-scientific investigation devoted to understanding the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of schizophrenia and other mental disorders, which afflict millions of Americans.

National Mental Health Association
National Mental Health Association of Georgia

www.nmha.org
www.nmha.org (Georgia)
The National Mental Health Association is a citizen advocacy organization founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers. During its 92 years of operation, it has grown to more than 340 local and state affiliates across the country that work to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service. The National Mental Health Association of Georgia office is located at 100 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303 404/527-7175.

National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
www.mentalhealth.org
This is a one-stop resource center providing the public with information and referrals on mental health services. Free copies of publications on a range of mental health issues are available. KEN health information specialists answer callers' questions or refer them to federal, state or local resources for more information and help. Also offers up to the minute information on issues such as treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation services for mental illness and on subjects ranging from advocacy to women's issues.

National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
www.prainc.com
The National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness provides information and technical assistance concerning the treatment, services and housing needs of homeless persons with severe mental illnesses. The Center maintains a bibliographic database of materials and will provide database searches.

Schizophrenics Anonymous
www.sanonymous.org
The purpose of this organization is to help restore dignity and sense of purpose for persons who are working for recovery from schizophrenia or related disorders.

Schizophrenia Home Page
www.schizophrenia.com
This is a non-profit information, support and education center. Offers information on schizophrenia and its causes.

Surgeon General
www.surgeongeneral.gov
This is the site of the U.S. Surgeon General. In the "library" section you'll find information on publications such as the 1999 report of the Surgeon General on mental illness. You can search for a wide range of information on mental illness

The Mental Health Net
www.mentalhelp.net
This is a glossary of mental health terms used in psychiatry and psychology. It is formatted to permit quick and easy referral.

Treatment Advocacy Center
www.psychlaw.org
TAC’s mission is to eliminate the legal and practical barriers to treatment for millions of Americans who suffer from, but are not being treated appropriately for, severe brain disorders, such as schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness, and to prevent the devastating consequences of non-treatment: homelessness, suicide, victimization, worsening of symptoms, violence, and incarceration.

World Federation of Mental Health Links
www.wfmh.com/links
This is a link to many other mental health web sites around the world. Its key value seems to be in identifying widespread mental health issues, and encouraging international, national and local campaigns for public education.