Advocacy

Agencies and Providers

Autism Resources

Child and Adolescent

Illnesses and Disorders

Insurance and Entitlements

NAMI Links

Podcasts and Downloadable Radio

Research and Institutes

Self Help Groups

Suicide

Mental Health & Faith Communities


Directory of Mental Health Links:

ADVOCACY
Bazelon Center

This is a national organization that serves as a legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Offers latest litigation, news, newsletter, question/answer site, and internship opportunities.
Mental Health Association in New Jersey

This is a state organization that advocates and provides services for people with mental illness. It has considerable state advocacy information.
National Mental Health Association

Oldest and largest non-profit organization working as advocates for people living with mental illness. Offers support group links, bookstore, articles, national laws, and frequently asked questions site.

New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services State Mental Health Authority in NewJersey.

Public Notices Changes and proposed changes in regulations for public access, review and comment.

AGENCIES & PROVIDERS
New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies (NJAMHA)

Website for N.J. Mental Health professionals interested in membership. Association offers employment opportunities, mental health links, training/workshops, vendor resources, and updated local mental health media coverage.
New Jersey Association of Family Support Organizations.

Family Support Organizations are family-led, community-based non-profit agencies whose mission is to provide support, advocacy, and education to families and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs.
Catholic Charities- Diocese of Trenton

Comprehensive provider of mental health services for adults and children in Mercer County. Offers outpatient, partial care for adults, co-occurring disorders partial care program, PACT, Supportive anf Transitional Housing, and more.
Greater Trenton Behavioral Health Care

Comprehensive provider of mental health services for adults and children in Mercer County. Offers outpatient, partial care for adults and children, intensice case management, Intensive Family Support Services, and more.
Jewish Children's and Family Services is a comprehensive, non-discriminatory social service agency providing affordable, accessible services to a diverse community in need. Services include counseling and therapy for children and adults, senior services, financial assistance, domestic violence response, programs for families with special needs children and community education and outreach.
Princeton House Behavioral Health

Inpatient treatment for adolescents and adults, Partial Care Programs for adults with mental illness, adolescents with substance abuse and mental illness, Women's Trauma Program (inpatient and partial), and intensive outpatient programs for substance abuse.
SERV Behavioral Health System, Inc.

Statewide behavioral health agency providing residential, outpatient and partial care services for adults and children. The residential treatment provider in Mercer County for supervised residences.
The College of New Jersey Counseling Clinic
Sliding scale Marriage and Family Counseling by supervised Masters Level students.

AUTISM RESOURCES
Support Groups
Both COSAC (Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community) and ASPEN (Asperger Syndrome Parent Education Network) have support groups for families of children on the autism spectrum. To find a COSAC group, call (800) 4-AUTISM. To find an ASPEN group check out their website at www.aspennj.org. You can find all of the NJ support groups for any disability by calling the Self Help Clearinghouse at (800) FOR-MASH.
Publications
Two good journals are the Autism/Asperger Digest from Future Horizons and Autism Spectrum Quarterly. A general resource, including a national resource guide, for all disabilities is Exceptional Parent magazine and you can get a free copy by calling (800) E-PARENT. To find out which therapies have been clinically proven effective, see "Educating Children with Autism". Good book... The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood.
Websites
The best site I've found is www.futurehorizons-autism.com. Besides the journal mentioned above, you can find the latest information on therapies, conferences and book reviews. Another excellent site is www.talkautism.com. In addition to online courses, you can find summaries by expert speakers in the field. Lastly, Carol Gray's Social Stories ideas and resources can be found at www.thegraycenter.org. This is another good site, www.tonyattwood.com.au/.
 
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT
Internet Resource List from the NAMI Child & Adolescent Action Center

Large and useful set of links to sites related to children's behavioral health- federal agencies, national advocacy organizations, Organizations Focused on Special Education and School-Based MH, Professional Organizations, Academic Centers Focused on Children's Mental Health, Organizations Focused on Suicide Prevention and Sites for Teens.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Information site for professionals as well as parents and families. Site provides education and treatment options for behavioral, developmental, and mental health disorders.
Advocates for Special Kids (ASK)

A support, educational and advocacy group and district-wide Parent Teacher Organization serving all special needs children in the Lawrence Township School District , including out of district placements. The site offers information on group events & workshops and resource information for special needs kids.

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

Full of resources connecting families with bipolar children to doctors, schools, and other families. Memberships available, donor opportunities, suicide hotlines, chat room, “Ask the Expert,” feature and more.
Child & Adolescent Action Center (NAMI National)

Website dedicated to advocate and support children/adolescents living with mental illness. Offers updated public policy, local support groups/classes by state, magazine, estate planning and store
Depressed Teens.com

Website dedicated to teenage depression and bipolar illness. Great educational materials, fact site, as well as testimonials, about award-winning available video “ Day For Night.”

Ending Suicide.com

Website contains suicide facts, risk assessments, interventions for parents and links to crisis centers, mental health sites, and addiction sites.
Explosivechild.com

Website devoted to behavioral philosophy of Dr. Ross Greene. Loaded with resources, workshops, and research training strategies.

A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy And Drug Free

This new website has been developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to communicate to parents and other caring adults about how they can help promote their child's mental health and reduce his or her risk from becoming involved with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
MindZone

Website specifically for teens, addressing a variety of mental health issues and concerns that teens have, such as taking care of yourself and friends, coping with everyday stuff, learning about bipolar disorder.
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health

Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the website’s goal is to offer information on best practices in mental health and substance abuse services for children and their families.  It offers an excellent monthly teleconference on children’s mental health best practices that anyone can sign up for at no cost- on the third Thursday of each month..

New York University Child Study Center

A website with latest research and educational strategies regarding ADHD as well as other child psychiatric disorder. Offers updated research, programs at NYU and elsewhere as well as comprehensive resource library.
Parent's MedGuide.org

A large coalition of medical professionals recently launched ParentsMedGuide.org, a new resource center for parents of children and adolescents with depression. The site offers advice for parents, including a fact sheet on the use of medication in the treatment of childhood depression.
SchoolPsychiatry.org

This website is devoted to helping families, educators and clinicians better address the mental health needs of children and adolescents.

ILLNESSES & DISORDERS
Schizophrenia.com

World’s number one website for schizophrenia offering chat rooms, international discussion, basic medical information, and the latest breaking medical research. Back issues of newsletters, interviews, jobs, and success stories.
NARSAD

National Association for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Website devoted to proper information and facts as well as support given to anyone whose life is touched by suicide. Support for professionals working in suicide prevention or suicide counseling and promotes recognition of signs for suicide. Many link resources.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America

Only national organization advocating for people living with anxiety disorders. Will inform about all anxiety disorders complete with symptoms, treatment options, local providers and self-help tools. Website includes: on-line bookstore, a variety of Calendar of Events and newsletter.
Aspergerfriends

Excellent information for people with Aspergers, families and professionals on Aspergers Syndrome, treatments, rehabilitation and supports.
Attention Deficit Disorder Resources

Support site offering basic information about ADHD as well as what to do with your diagnosis and advice for professionals.

CHADD (Children and Adults with Atttention Deficit Disorder) is an excellent national membership organization with resource links, information, advocacy on ADHD, including local chapters and support groups.

The National Resource Center on AD/HD a Program of CHADD , funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The NRC was created to meet the information needs of both professionals and the general public. For example, it includes sections on the Science of AD/HD, Myths and Misunderstandings and “ What We Know about Coexisting Conditions: ” A pproximately two thirds of children with AD/HD have at least one coexisting condition? Read the NRC's latest What We Know sheets on Tics and Tourette Syndrome, Disruptive Behavior Disorders, and Depression to learn more.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Information, resources, links, support groups, etc. on depression and bipolar disorder.
Autism Society of America

Nationwide on-line directory of local chapters, as well as links to professionals, government resources for families that are affected by autism. Offered in Spanish as well. Site offers reach information, Calendar of Events and treatment information.
Autism Asperger Publishing Company

Site offers a wide array of publishing resources for professionals and families working with autism spectrum disorders. Also offers support groups, conference information, newsletter, links, and mailing list.
Sidran Foundation

Nationally-focused nonprofit organization devoted to helping people who have experienced traumatic life events. Articles, information, resources and links on trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress and Dissociative Disorders.
DRADA

Depression and related Affective Disorders Association
 
INSURANCE & ENTITLEMENTS
Medicare Comparison

About private health plans that enroll elderly and disabled Americans

Understanding SSI

SSI online manual for understanding SSI- All information

Working while disabled- a guide to achieving self sufficiency

Social Security administration information on working while on disability.
SSI for Children

SSI online manual for understanding SSI- children's information.
 
SOCIAL SECURITY ONLINE

Social Security online

NAMI LINKS
NAMI

National Organization. The website has valuable information about mental illness, advocacy efforts and NAMI activities.

NAMI NJ

State organization

PODCASTS AND DOWNLOADABLE RADIO

Infinite Mind

Infinite Mind is a syndicated radio program available. It consistently has excellent programs on mental health. For example, a recent show was “In the Line of Fire: A Special Report” (Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Wayne Fenton) It’s part of Lichtenstein Creative Media, which also includes:

Voices of an Illness- a radio documentary series which has provided millions with an extraordinary window on serious mental illness since the series premiere in 1992. The National Institute of Mental Health hailed the series as having "truly set new standards of creativity and scientific accuracy in broadcast journalism about mental illness."

If I Get Out Alive- A one-hour radio documentary, which exposes the systematic abuse and brutality faced by juveniles in the adult prison system. It is narrated by Academy Award winning actress and child advocate Diane Keaton. Other video and radio productions. Many programs can be downloaded or listened to live online.

RESEARCH
National Institute of Mental Health
Research Agency of the U.S. Government. Site includes breaking news, highlights of the organization, clinical trials, information, research, and funding links.
University of Pennsylvania Collaborative on Community Integration
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Promoting Community Integration of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities. Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act , Citizenship , Community Integration, Education , Employment , Housing , Language and Community Integration , Olmstead decision ,   Peer Support , Self-Determination , Social Roles , Spirituality and religion , Stigma and   Transportation
KEN MENTAL HEALTH

National mental health association information center. Offers on-line news service, surgeon general’s report, mental health links, dictionary, and children’s features. Entire site also appears in Spanish.
SELF HELP
NJ SELF-HELP GROUP CLEARINGHOUSE

“Complete listing of every mental health consumer support group in New Jersey at Mental Health Consumers /Schizophrenia /Psychiatric Survivors. You can also find information on Training Workshops, Library of Downloadable Literature, Self-Help Group Month , Helpful Links, Toll-Free Helplines, Clearinghouses Worldwide and you can order the Self-Help Group Directory with listings of all peer self help groups for any illness or disability in New Jersey.” The direct web link is http://www.medhelp.org/njgroups/consumers.htm
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Princeton

Support group in Princeton for adults living with depression and bipolar as well as their family members. Lists location and contact person. Meets every Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

National Support Organization for adults living with depression and bipolar as well as their family members. Information on illness, treatment, coping, supports and research.

New Jersey Affilliate of the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. a nonprofit organization committed to the national OCF goals of: educating the community about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), offering support to sufferers and their families, and supporting research. Members include mental health professionals as well as OCD sufferers, their families, and friends.

The site includes information on how you help those with OCD and their families, support groups in NJ, a professional directory, back newsletters, schedules of events and educational opportunities

SUICIDE
Contact of Mercer County is a non-profit, volunteer organization with over 200 active volunteers.  Our Mission is to provide free and compassionate listening, crisis intervention and safety services to those in need.  The agency offers a variety of services including:
  • 24 hour/7 day a week crisis intervention HOTLINE and SUICIDE LINE
  • REASSURANCE calling for the elderly and homebound
  • RSVP: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
  • Volunteer opportunities to adults and teens age 17 and over

Selected Sites on Suicide and Suicide Loss. A comprehensive list of links for persons grieving and for people with suicidal thoughts

 
CONGREGATIONAL SUPPORT
FaithNet NAMI
FaithNet NAMI is a network of members and friends of NAMI and co-sponsored by NAMI California. Its purpose is to reach out to religious organizations to support development of a non-threatening, supportive environment for those with serious mental illness and their families, within the Faith Community. It offers inspirations, suggested readings, an E-Mail network, web-links and information.
The Episcopal Mental Illness Network
  The Episcopal Mental Illness Network provides a compassionate presence within the Episcopal Church for persons with mental illnesses and their families. The site shares information and resources for Episcopalians, both clergy and lay persons, to find out more about mental illnesses and how to incorporate persons with mental illnesses into the full life of the Church. 
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Health Ministries- Mental Illness
Principles for working with people affected by mental illness. Articles by Rev. Dr. Mark J. Hill.
Mental Health Ministries
Mental Health Ministries is an ecumenical, interfaith outreach program of the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. It offers plenty of resources to enable faith communities to begin the process of reaching out and providing compassionate care to those affected by disorders of the brain, including downloadable resources, website links, information packets, poems and prayers worship resources, and much more.
www.mentalhealthchaplain.org
The Mental Health Chaplaincy, located in Seattle, Washington, is an outreach and engagement program for the most difficult and most vulnerable mentally ill homeless people. The program uses a four-phase model to working with homeless individuals—approach, companionship, partnership, and mutuality .
Pathways to Promise: Ministry and Mental Illness

Pathways to Promise is an interfaith technical assistance and resource center which offers liturgical and educational materials, program models, and networking information to promote a caring ministry with people with mental illness and their families. These resources are used by people at all levels of faith group structures from local congregations to regional and national staff. It is an excellent resource!

Disclaimer
Although NAMI Mercer uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information on this web site, it makes no representations as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of that information unless specifically noted otherwise. NAMI Mercer does not endorse or recommend the services of any particular mental health company or service.

NAMI Mercer New Jersey, Inc.
88 Lakedale Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-777-9766 Fax: 609-777-5331
Email: home@namimercer.org