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Resources

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a mental disorder. With the high number of people affected by mental illness, a number of organizations are trying to spread the word about this serious problem. Below you will find resources that lead you to information on a variety of mental health topics.

Gateways to mental health information:

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  • Mental Health Services Locator — This website will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.
    http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
  • Mental Health: The Cornerstone of Health — This Internet site is a portal to mental health information related to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) research, programs, policies, and media campaigns and highlights the latest research findings and policy efforts.
    http://store.samhsa.gov/home
  • Psychology Help Center (Copyright © American Psychological Association) — This website provides brochures, tips, and articles on the psychological issues that affect your physical and emotional well-being, as well as information about referrals.
    http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/

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General mental health resources

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  • Action Steps for Improving Women's Mental Health — This report outlines specific action steps for health care professionals to address the burden of mental illness on women and to address the stigma associated with mental health. It provides information on the signs and symptoms of mental illness and solutions for preventing and coping with mental illness.
    http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/mental-health-action-steps/

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Mental health information about:

Caregiving and caregivers

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  • Caregiver Stress Fact Sheet — This fact sheet provides tips for relieving the stress of caregivers, as well as types of support that are available.
    http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.cfm

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Disaster and trauma

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  • Coping with Traumatic Events — This Internet site is a compilation of information about coping with traumatic events from the National Institute of Mental Health. It has special information for helping children that many parents and organizations have found useful.
    http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/coping-with-traumatic-events/index.shtml
  • FEMA: Fact sheet - Terrorism — This publication contains important information for preparing for a terrorist attack, response during a terrorist attack, and how to respond following a terrorist attack.
    http://www.fema.gov/hazard/terrorism/index.shtm
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — Many people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after lving through something that is upsetting and dangerous. This publication discusses the importance of getting help for symptoms associated with PTSD, and provides a checklist of the physical and mental symptoms of PTSD.
    http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-easy-to-read/index.shtml
  • Ready.gov — This site was designed by the Department of Homeland Security to provide information on citizen preparedness. It provides information on how to react to even unlikely scenarios. You should be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. Check this site for the most current information and recommendations.
    http://www.ready.gov/
  • SAMHSA's Disaster Response Information — When natural disasters occur, individuals can lose their entire communities. Immediately following such crises and for the long-term, SAMHSA focuses on its mission of “Building Resilience and Facilitating Recovery” for those affected. This site is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable of those affected by crises; individuals with substance abuse and mental illness disorders.
    http://www.samhsa.gov/disaster/

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Drug and alcohol abuse

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  • Alcohol: A Women's Health Issue — This booklet discusses statistics, risks, benefits, and more about women and alcohol consumption. It also talks about women and problem drinking.
    http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochurewomen/women.htm
  • Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health — If you drink alcohol, this pamphlet can help you determine how much is too much and what to do if you're thinking about a change. It offers statistics on alcohol use, a checklist of symptoms for an alcohol use disorder, and a list of further resources.
    http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/RethinkingDrinking/OrderPage.htm
  • Should You Talk to Someone About a Drug, Alcohol, or Mental Health Problem? — Lists questions consumers can ask themselves to help them decide whether to seek help for a substance abuse problem, a mental health issue, or both. Urges those who answered "yes" to any of the questions to seek help and lists resources for more information.
    http://store.samhsa.gov/product/SMA10-4585
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator — This website will help you locate a substance abuse treatment facility in your area.
    http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

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Eating disorders

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Medications

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  • Antidepressants: What You Need to Know About Depression Medication (Copyright © HelpGuide.org) — This publication describes how antidepressants work, including information about effectiveness and withdrawal. It lists the different types of antidepressants available and also describes the available treatment alternatives.
    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm
  • Depression: How Medicine Can Help (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This fact sheet addresses common questions and concerns regarding the role of antidepressants in treating depression: options for treatment, how to chose an antidepressant, common side effects and how to tell if the medication is effective. Included are resources for more information.
    http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/045.html
  • Medications for Anxiety Disorders (Copyright © Anxiety Disorders Association of America) — This fact sheet contains information about what to ask your doctor before taking medication for anxiety disorders, side effects, where to find financial assistance, and more. It also links to information for parents and a medications chart with information about the drugs available.
    http://www.adaa.org/gettinghelp/AnxietyDisorders/Medications.asp
  • Mental Health Medications — This booklet is designed to help mental health patients and their families understand how and why medications can be used as part of the treatment of mental health problems.
    http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/index.shtml
  • Schizophrenia (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This website provides information on schizophrenia, focusing on how it is treated and what the future holds for schizophrenia drug treatments.
    http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/treatment/266.html
  • St. John's Wort and Depression — This fact sheet has information about St. John's Wort, a popular herb being used by the public today to treat mild depression. This publication includes information on the FDA's role to monitor the use of this herb, how St. John's Wort works, how it is used to treat depression, and a drug interaction advisory.
    http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm

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Stress

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  • Stress and Your Health Fact Sheet — This fact sheet discusses the causes and signs of stress. It also lists the health effects and gives tips to help you handle your stress.
    http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/stress-your-health.cfm

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  • The Different Kinds of Stress (Copyright © American Psychological Association) — This fact sheet describes the different kinds of stress, including acute stress, episodic acute stress and chronic stress.
    http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-kinds.aspx
  • Managing Stress — This tutorial will teach you what stress is, why it is risky to your health, the symptoms and causes of stress, and how to prevent and manage it.
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/managingstress/htm/index.htm
  • Stress and Pregnancy (Copyright © March of Dimes) — This fact sheet explains how stress can affect a pregnancy and how mothers can prevent and cope with stress during their pregnancy.
    http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_527.asp
  • Stress Assessment (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — This is an assesment you can take to better understand your stress. It consists of six questions, and after answering the questions it rates your level of stress as low, moderate or high. It gives suggestions on how to improve your stress level.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-assessment/SR00029
  • Stress Basics (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — This Internet site contains links that help you find out how stress is harmful, recognize stress symptoms, and explore practical tips on stress relief and stress management.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-management/MY00435

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Suicide

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Treatment and recovery

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  • About Psychosocial Interventions (Copyright © National Alliance on Mental Illness) — This page links to information about different psychosocial interventions that are used to treat mental illness. It discusses assertive community treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis, self-management, and more.
    http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Treatments_and_Supports/Psychosocial_Interventions.htm
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This publication discusses electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), what it is, how it is administered, and why it is so controversial.
    http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/treatment/electroconvulsive-therapy-ect
  • Mental Illness and the Family: Is Hospitalization Necessary (Copyright ©MHA) — This publication lists questions to ask before having a member of your family admitted to a hospital for treatment of a mental illness. It also lists questions to ask to ensure successful treatment after leaving the hospital.
    http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/is-hospitalization-necessary
  • Mental Illness: What a Difference a Friend Makes — This site is for people with mental illness and their friends. You'll find tools to help in the recovery process, learn about the different kinds of mental illnesses, read real-life stories about support and recovery, and watch a video to see how friends can make all the difference.
    http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/
  • Mental Treatment and Therapy Guide — This publication discusses the warning signs that a person needs professional help for mental health problems, what to do in emergency situations, and different forms of treatment for mental illness. It also describes the different types of mental health professionals and what they do.
    http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/cmh94-5001/treatment.asp
  • Psychotherapy: Definition (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — This publication describes psychotherapy, why it is used, how to prepare for it, and what to expect.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/psychotherapy/MY00186

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Reports from the Surgeon General

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Content last updated March 29, 2010.

Resources last updated March 29, 2010.

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