Often people don’t understand mental illness. I thing that that is most of us at one time or another. I found this very helpful and wish that I had discovered it a long time ago. Please check out this link. It is a great resource for providing good clear explanations.
http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/mental/other/glossary.htm
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/find_therapy
The following resources can be used to help you find mental health treatment services, including affordable treatment for those without insurance, in your community.
Mental Health America’s fact sheet “Finding the Right Care” and some of the sites listed below provide detailed information to help you choose a mental health professional and to enable you to better understand treatment options and the treatment process. Sites providing specialized treatment referrals for specific illnesses also include considerable information about the specific illness.
If you, or someone you know is in crisis, please seek help immediately. Contact the following organizations for information about 24-hour crisis services in your area:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) can put you into contact with your local crisis center that can tell you where to seek immediate help in your area.
The Child-Help USA 1-800-422-4453 crisis line assists both child and adult survivors of abuse, including sexual abuse. The hotline, staffed by mental health professionals, also provides treatment referrals.
In areas where 211 is available, dialing this number can connect you with mental health crisis services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area.
For referrals to affordable community mental health services:
Your local Mental Health America affiliate is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services.
Network of Care offers information including descriptions of community treatment services and other supports for the following states: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. For some states, information about all counties is currently included; for others only some counties are currently listed. Click on your state, then click on Services (top right) to begin your search.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area.
The SAMHSA Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator and the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) 24-hour information and referral line at 1-800-662-4357 (also part of the SAMHSA Health Information Network) provide referrals to alcohol, substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment facilities, including facilities that offer sliding scale fees and other special payment arrangements. Dual diagnosis services provide integrated treatment for individuals who have both an alcohol or substance abuse problem and a mental illness. Use the detailed search option on the left hand side of the page to find the facilities that most closely match your needs.
Universities or teaching hospitals may also be a source of low-cost or free treatment services. It is recommended that you contact those in your area.
The World Federation for Mental Health can assist people from other countries throughout the world in finding mental health services in their area.
For referral to individual mental health providers:
You can use Psychology Today’s Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. For each provider listed, you can read about their therapy approach, specialty areas, information about their fees including whether they accept insurance and whether they offer sliding scale fees, as well as their credentials and contact information. There are a variety of options for sorting your results to find providers who most closely match your needs. You can also send them an initial e-mail.
The Therapist Referral Network at 1-800-843-7274 and 1-858-481-1515 provides referrals to individual mental health professionals. Providers participate in a variety of insurance plans. Some offer affordable fee structures and may accept Medicare and Medicaid.
GoodTherapy offers a searchable database of over 1600 counselors and therapists worldwide. GoodTherapy is dedicated to promoting healthy counseling and psychotherapy.
The Medicare Participating Physician Directory can assist you in finding a psychiatrist who accepts Medicare.
Your state Medicaid office, whose contact information can be found using the map on the National Association of State Medicaid Directors site, may be able to assist you in finding a provider who accepts Medicaid.
There are a number of professional provider associations and other national organizations that provide treatment referral services. These organizations are listed below with links to their websites.
Professional provider associations that provide treatment referral services include:
0. American Counseling Association
0. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
0. American Association of Pastoral Counselors and http://www.aapc.org/content/aapc-accredited-centers
0. American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
0. American Group Psychotherapy Association
0. American Medical Association (Use the Doctor Finder option; then select Search by Physician Specialty option to search for psychiatrists in your area)
0. American Psychiatric Association and http://www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Choosing-a-Psychiatrist.aspx
0. American Psychological Association
0. American Residential Treatment Association
0. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
0. National Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapists
0. National Association of Social Workers
0. National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
Professional provider organizations that serve specific audiences include:
0. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
0. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
0. American Association of Children’s Residential Centers (Note:You can sort list of member treatment centers by state and reach the national office by calling 877-332-2272 )
0. Association of Black Psychologists
0. Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists
0. Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
0. National Medical Association at 1-800-662-0554 (Physician Locator Service maintains a list of African American psychiatrists)
0. Self Reliance Foundation/Acceso Hispano 800-473-3003
0. Su Familia (National Alliance for Hispanic Health) at 1-866-783-2645
Other organizations that offer specialized treatment referral services include:
0. ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) A description of various types of therapy used in treating people witih eating disorders is found at the following link Therapy Information
0. Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Treatment Centers
0. ATTACh at 866-453-8224 (Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children offers treatment referrals for children with attachment disorder)
0. Attention Deficit Disorder Association
0. Autism Society of America
0. Behavioral Tech, LLC (treatment referrals for borderline personality disorder)
0. Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center: Treatment Options
0. Brain Injury Association of America and http://www.biausa.org/stateoffices.htm (list of their state offices)
0. Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
0. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
0. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (patient to patient recommendation section)
0. Freedom from Fear (treatment referrals for anxiety and depression; Use the Findhing Help/Resources option on the left hand side of the home page)
0. Give an Hour ( a non-profit organization offering free mental health services for returning Veterans and their loved ones through a network of mental health professionals who volunteer their time)
0. Hospice Foundation of America at 1-800-868-5171(grief counseling)
0. International Society for the Study of Dissociation
0. Male Survivor (treatment referrals for men who have been sexually abused)
0. National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Dept. of Veterans Affairs PTSD Information Center offers information about ptsd and its treatment. Look for box on the right hand side of the page “Where to Get Help” to access the section of the site with links to the VA facilities locator and other informational resources)
0. National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
0. National Council on Problem Gambling
0. National Eating Disorders Association
0. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at 1-800-658-8898 (grief counseling)
0. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (See Find a Doctor Online under “Information and Resources” on right-hand side of the home page)
0. Postpartum Support International (Use the Find Local Support, Resources, and Events option to find contact information for the State Coordinator for your state to get a list of psychiatrists and therapists in your area who specialize in reproductive-related mood disorders in women of all ages).
0. Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (counseling centers throughout the U.S.)
0. S.A.F.E. Alternatives (treatment referrals for self injury)
0. Sidran Institute at 1-888-825-8249 (treatment referrals for post-traumatic stress disorder and self injury)
0. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (You can go to Finding Help for Sexually Abused Children and click on the National Network Members page option, to search by state for programs in your area.)
0. TARA at 1-888-482-7227 (Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder; treatment referrals for borderline personality disorder)
0. TRICARE (mental health services for military personnel and their families)
0. U.S. Vets (a non-profit organization that helps homeless veterans access mental health and substance abuse services along with housing and other community supports to achieve successful reintegration into the community. Current locations include California, Texas, Arizona, Washington DC, Nevada, and Hawaii)
Above information provided by the Mental Health America Resource Center. You can reach us at 1-800-969-6642 or e-mail us.
For More Information:
For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications, your local Mental Health America affiliate, and other mental health-related services in your community, please click here to access our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24 hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
Housing is often an issue for people with a mental illness. I found this interesting article. Has good resources. It is worth a read.
Housing Options For People With Mental Illness
Why are housing choices so important?
What factors should be considered as part of a housing decision?
Do programs exist to help open the door to home ownership?
Where can I get a referral to such a program?
What are the different types of housing programs that are available?
Who can I contact for more information?
Why are housing choices so important?
For people with severe mental illness, home can be a space to live in dignity and move toward recovery.
Back to top
What factors should be considered as part of a housing decision?
How much can you afford to pay?
Is the neighborhood pleasant? Is it safe?
If you share your living space, will your housemates be compatible?
Is the house, apartment, or room in good condition?
Is transportation to shopping and your treatment center nearby?
How much support will you need to carry out everyday activities?
Does your prospective landlord have a reputation for responding promptly and courteously to tenants’ requests?
Also, have the lease reviewed before you sign on the dotted line. If you need help with finding a place, filling out forms, or reviewing a lease, your caseworker is a valuable resource. If you do not have a caseworker, contact the advocacy group or the housing specialist at the public mental health agency nearest you.
Back to top
Do programs exist to help open the door to home ownership?
Programs, such as those administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, exist to open the door to home ownership for people with disabilities and who have low to moderate incomes. The level of help varies with the programs, which are joint ventures between State and local home ownership coalitions. Examples of the kinds of assistance you might receive include: financial counseling; assistance with a down payment, closing costs, and property repairs to meet inspection requirements; and financial support to prevent delinquency on a loan if you are unable to make your mortgage payment due to hospitalization or another unforeseen difficulty.
Back to top
Where can I get a referral to such a program?
It is important to keep in mind that not all States and localities have these programs, and funds for these programs are often limited. For a referral to a local agency that has information about such programs, call the Housing Counseling Line of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-569-4287 or 1-888-466-3487.
Back to top
What are the different types of housing programs that are available?
Public Housing: Although the kinds of housing vary from State to State, public housing programs basically operate as follows:
Section 8 – The tenant-based rental assistance program provides vouchers or certificates to subsidize rent. Under this program, a person pays either 30 percent of his or her adjusted income, 10 percent of gross income, or the welfare assistance amount designated for housing. The certificate or voucher pays the remainder of the rent to the landlord.
Chapter 9 – The project-based rental assistance program offers landlords an incentive to provide housing for people with disabilities by tying the subsidy to the rental building. The demand for this housing also outstrips the number of available units.
Other Housing: States and localities also fund housing programs. In addition, some for-profit organizations offer housing for people with disabilities. Contact your local or State mental health authority to find out about licensing and required services. In general, many localities offer several of the following options:
Private Residential Housing,
Commercial Boarding Homes,
Supported Independent Living,
Personal Care Group Homes,
Community Residential Rehabilitation Centers,
Structured Residential Programs, and
24-Hour Care Homes and Nursing Facilities.
Back to top
Who can I contact for more information?
To find the best housing option for you, work closely with your caseworker or the housing coordinator at your CMHC. In addition, your local affiliates of The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) should have information on housing options in your area. Check your telephone directory, or call the national offices for a referral to your local affiliate.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Telephone: 800-950-6264
Fax: 703-524-9094
(TDD): 703-516-7227
www.nami.org
National Mental Health Association
2001 North Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Telephone: 800-969-6642
Fax: 703-684-5968
(TDD): 800-433-5959
www.nmha.org
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1112
TDD: (202) 708-1455
www.hud.gov
Note: These are suggested resources. It is not meant to be a complete list.
Back to top
KEN98-0048
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0048/default.asp
Vncent and Me
Aug 3, 1999 – © John McManamy
“There is a sun, a light that for want of a better word, I can only call yellow.”
The image is haunting – the sharp nose and sunken cheeks, the desperate eyes peering from hollowed sockets. Face and beard are slashed by violent almost bloody diagonal strokes that clash with the blues elsewhere on the canvas. We have seen the image a thousand times and we know it as the portrait of genius and madness.
His name is Vincent Van Gogh. The cause and form of his madness may be debated, but it was almost certainly the depressive aspect of his disorder that ended his life.
“Well, my own work,” he wrote in his last letter to his brother Theo, “I am risking my life for it, and my reason has half foundered.”
Six days later, he would be dead, a bullet to his chest, an act of suicide.
Some twelve or thirteen years ago the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York staged a monumental exhibit of the last three years of his life, that extraordinarily productive time when he painted outdoors under the brilliant skies at Arles and Saint Remy in Provence in the south of France.
“There is a sun,” he wrote to his brother Theo, “a light that for want of a better word I can only call yellow, pale sulphur yellow, pale golden citron. How lovely yellow is!”
One hundred and eighty-nine paintings he executed in one incredibly manic twelve-month run: haystacks, harvests, cafes, portraits, self-portraits – all these works he poured his soul – and ultimately his sanity – into, which only stood in mockery to his extraordinary gift, without a single buyer to be had.
Think: If you were possessed of the talent of Van Gogh and no one on this planet recognized it, wouldn’t you, too, go mad?
For several years now, he had been reduced to living on the charity of his brother Theo, hoping against hope that one day he would find a market for his work.
“What am I in the eyes of most people,” he wrote his brother not long after embarking on his career in painting in 1882, “a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person – somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low.”
Then he added: “All right, then – even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart.”
The copyright of the article Vincent and Me in Depression is owned by John McManamy. Permission to republish Vincent and Me in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Read more at Suite101: Vincent and Me http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/depression/20552#ixzz0nmPnDlcr
The magnitude of mental illness in this country is
staggering. According to the Surgeon General, one in
every five Americans experiences a mental disorder in
any given year and half of all Americans have such
disorders at some time in their lives. These illnesses of
the brain affect all of us, regardless of age, gender,
economic status or ethnicity.
Mental illness affects the mind, body and the spirit. It is
a real, common and treatable illness. Mental illnesses are
far more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease or
arthritis.
Our faith communities can be an important part of the
recovery process through education, support and by
helping individuals and families feel part of a caring
community.
MAY HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Community events will highlight mental health issues
affecting children, adolescents, adults and older
adults.
Watch for events in your community and use these
national sites to find information about specific
illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorder.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
www.DBSAlliance.org
• National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) www.NAMI.org
• Mental Health America www.nmha.org
• SAMHSA www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov
For resources to help erase the stigma of mental illness in our faith
communities, visit the Mental Health Ministries website at
www.MentalHealthMinistries.net.
Most people I know don’t give their mental health a second thought. I can’t say that I blame them. I myself didn’t give it a whole/hole lot of importance for many years. It was always important to me to resolve my unfinished business. Perhaps it is, because it is clear to me that issues that don’t get aired and worked out, come after us.
Years ago a friend’s brother was very aware of the importance of good mental health. He told me that he made sure that the woman he was going to marry had good tools to deal with life’s issues and was aware of how a sick mind can plague people. I think that my friend’s brother was tuned into this, because his father had alcohol and other issues. He drew his conclusions from his own life experiences.
I am sure that there are others who value mental health. I haven’t met many people who are this tuned in, but I have met more over the last few years. It seems to me that there is a growing movement. Perhaps words like depression, mental illness, brain disorders, bipolar, cognitive disorders, paranoia, and more are becoming more acceptable and more understood. And shouldn’t they? We use them more.
If you have an interest in the issue of mental illness, check out this link. Although you might not relate to everything in this movie, it is likely that you will take something from this. I learned more about the backwards way that this country refuses people adequate healthcare and therefore forces people to check into emergency rooms or commit a crime to get help.
Years ago I had a conversation with a woman who had been diagnosed with a mental illness. I only this because I met her at a NAMI (national association for family and friends who have a mentally person in their lives) meeting. She and several others were introduced as they spoke to the family members from their seats in front of the group. They shared from their experiences. This woman complained that no one said anything to her about her behavior which certainly spoke of her illness. “I drove across the country, and nobody said anything to me.” Yes it was amazing, yet so typical. I often wonder how many lives would be different and how many more people would be alive had somebody said something.
Please take some time to watch this movie.
http://www.subcityfilm.com/watch.html
Over the past few days, much attention is being given to two young celebrities who have committed suicide. The big news in Vancouver, outside of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, was the suicide by hanging of Andrew Koenig, most known for playing Mike Seaver’s best friend “Boner” on the 80s sitcom Growing Pains. Then, on Friday night, Marie Osmond’s son, Michael Blosil, committed suicide by leaping to his death from his downtown LA apartment. Both men suffered from depression and had previously undergone treatment. Friends and families of both men urge people to seek help for depression and suicidal thoughts. Here are local statistics and resources for those seeking help for depression and suicidal thoughts.
Suicide Statistics – National
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides numerous statistics on the national and state levels.
Over 33,000 people commit suicide each year.
Death by suicide occurs once every 16 minutes in the U.S. An attempt occurs once every minute.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., 4th for adults between the ages of 18 and 65, 5th for children ages 5-14, 3rd for children ages 15-24.
3 times as many females as males attempt suicide, whereas 4 times as many males are successful.
90% of people who commit suicide are suffering from a treatable condition at the time of their deaths.
20-50% of suicides had previously attempted it.
Suicide Statistics – New York State
New York State ranks #49 as far as suicide rates, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
In 2006 [most recent statistics], there were 1326 suicides, within a population of 19,281,988, giving a suicide rate of 6.9%.
In Monroe County, the average suicide rate per 100,000 people was 8.9 in 2007.
Warning Signs
Watch for the following warning signs in your loved ones:
Diagnosis or signs of Major depressions, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, bulimia, anorexia nervousa, borderline or personality disorders
Previous suicide attempts
Family history of suicide, suicide attempts, or psychiatric illness
Distressing event, such as loss of job or loved one
Behavioral changes, such as getting affairs in order, getting rid of personal items, saying things like, “Everyone would be better off without me,” purchasing firearms, increased alcohol consumption, self-destructive behavior, changes in sleeping and eating habits, talking about death and suicide.
Phone Numbers to Call for Help in the Greater Rochester area
If you, or a loved one, are feeling suicidal, many resources are at your disposal.
~~Call the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or TTY 800-799-4889.
~~The University of Rochester has a University Counseling Center (UCC) that provides help for those suffering from depression, and for the suicide survivors. Contact the UCC Professional On Call at 585-275-3113.
~~Residents of Genesee County can call Regional Action Phone, Inc. at (585) 343-1212 or (800) 359-5727.
~~Residents of Livingston County and Monroe Country can call Lifeline at (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160 / TTY (585) 275-2700.
~~Residents of Ontario County can call Lifeline at (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160 / TTY (585) 275-2700.
~~Residents of Orleans County can call Regional Action Phone, Inc. at (585) 343-1212 or (800) 359-5727.
~~Residents of Oswego County can call Oswego Hospital Behavioral Services Division 24-Hour Hotline at (315) 343-8162.
~~Residents of Wayne County can call Lifeline at (585) 275-5151 or (800) 310-1160 / TTY (585) 275-2700.
~~Residents of Wyoming County can call Wyoming County Crisis Line at (800) 724-8583 or Wyoming County Mental Health Clinic at (585) 786-0190.
Sources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.http://www.afsp.org/
Baker, Ken, and Finn, Natalie. “Source: Andrew Koenig Hanged Himself”. E! Online. Retrieved 2-27-10 from http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b169236_source_andrew_koenig_hanged_himself.html
“Michael Blosil Suicide: Marie Osmond’s Son Dies in Los Angeles” Huffington Post. Retrieved 2-27-10 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/27/michael-blosil-suicide-ma_n_479483.html
“Monroe County Suicide Death Rates per 100,000 Population” New York State Health Department Retrieved 2-27-10 from http://www.health.state.ny.us/statistics/chac/mortality/suicid26.htm.
New York State Office of Mental Health http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/speak/speakcrisisnumbers_bak.htm.
More About: family health
Mental Illness and Your Town by Larry Hayes
37 Ways for Communities to Help and Heal
Mental Illness and Your Town description:
A Blueprint for Community Action From Award-Winning Journalist Larry Hayes
Written with authority and compassion, this is the book that rescues mental illness from the shadows and takes the disability
into the community.
Learn how each person can play a role to help those who so often suffer alone.
Hear the stories of the people who’ve found how to triumph over this disability.
Discover how everyone can work together to create a treatment revolution that enriches and saves lives.
Let this guide open your heart and mind to be inspired and challenged to do the work ahead.
A Book that will Change Your Community!
“Larry Hayes provides families with a real self-help manual that is personal and compassionate, yet practical and hands-on. It is long overdue and can only come from someone who has been there–in the trenches. Larry certainly has.”
–Stephen C. McCaffrey, President, Mental Health America of Indiana
“With a father’s wit and a reporter’s well-honed writing skills, Larry Hayes uses his family’s story to offer practical suggestions about how communities can help persons with mental illnesses recover and thrive. This is a wonderful blueprint that spells out ways to change lives and help persons seldom seen or heard.”
–Pete Earley, author, CRAZY: A Father’s Search Through America’s
Mental Health Madness
“Larry Hayes demonstrates in this book a very rare gift that he has, the ability to reduce complex social problems to simple
terms. In addition, he fills the book with practical solutions and ways to reduce the somet-imes debilitating effects of mental illness.”
–James C. Howell, Ph.D., juvenile justice researcher
Many people don’t think about mental illness or mental health and animals. However, this should surprise no one, particularly people who live and love with animals. Many people can’t get beyond the fur and the feathers. Perhaps it would be more difficult to mistreat animals and to dump them when we move, can’t deal with them or become tired of them.
If you are skeptical, look at some animals that are survivors of Katrina or the dogs that were helping with the 911 rescue. Talk to pet “owners” who rush out to bring another animal home because their furry or feathery friend is grieving the loss of another animal. I personally have seen my own cat depressed when there was strife in the house. Many clients have told me stories about animals who won’t eat or eat little after losing a human or an animal. Susan’s dog acted tired and rather listless after her best dog friend died. She let the dog’s humans pick her up and hold her which was the first time that she did this. Some animals look for their departed beloved for days, weeks and months after the death.
Fear and anxiety leave many animals emotionally paralyzed. Some shake when they are taken outside their homes and trips in the car are an animal’s nightmare. Like humans, or perhaps we are like them in many ways when it comes to our emotional lives, early childhood events scar them. Clients tell me that they don’t understand why their pet runs from the mail person or when a broom is used in the kitchen. What about the dog who growls at a tall dark man whom it has never met?
If you are reading this, most likely you have a pets story to share? Please share!
