Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Health
Phone: (703) 524-7600 Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 Address: 3803 N Fairfax Dr., Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203 Description of Services: The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Service Area: National Website: https://www.nami.org/ MentalHealth.gov
Address: US Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 Description of Services: MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to US government mental health and mental health problems information. They aim to educate and guide the general public, health and emergency preparedness professionals, policy makers, government and business leaders, school systems, and local communities. Service Area: National Website: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk Easter Seals
Phone: 1-800-221-6827 Address: 233 South Wacker Dr., Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60606 Description of Services: Their mission is to create opportunities, promote individual choice, and change the lives of children and adults with disabilities by maximizing their individual potential to live, learn and work in their communities. Some of their programs include camping, medical rehabilitation, employment and training, and more. Ages Served: All ages Service Area: National Website: http://www.easterseals.com/ American Psychological Association Phone: (800) 374-2721 Address: 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 Description: APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 121,00 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members. Our mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowedge to benefit society and improve lives. We do this by:
Ages Served: All Service Area: National Website: www.apa.org/ Stop Bullying
This website provides articles, videos, and other helpful resources for families and children on how bullying can be prevented in schools. Kids resources here. Click here to view website. 5 Tips for Talking to Your Teenager About Mental Health
This website intends to help parents establish open honest conversations with teens ages 13-18. The website provides tips on how to handle difficult discussions from mental health to substance abuse. Click here to view website. Click here to view website (Esp.) Mental Health Literacy
Their website provides families with effective ways of relating to one another on the topic of mental illness. The goal is to create an honest healthy discussion to not only educate families but to make sure that everyone is taking care of themselves along this journey together. Ages served: All Service Area: All Click here to view website Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral DisabilitiesCenter for Disease Control and Prevention: Anxiety, Depression, and Behavior in Children
Phone: 1-800-232-4636 Anxiety: Many children have fears and worries, and may feel sad and hopeless from time to time. Strong fears may appear at different times during development. For example, toddlers are often very distressed about being away from their parents, even if they are safe and cared for. Although fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression. Because the symptoms primarily involve thoughts and feelings, they are called internalizing disorders. Website: www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html#anxiety Behavior: Children sometimes argue, are aggressive, or act angry or defiant around adults. A behavior disorder may be diagnosed when these disruptive behaviors are uncommon for the child’s age at the time, persist over time, or are severe. Because disruptive behavior disorders involve acting out and showing unwanted behavior towards others they are often called externalizing disorders. Website: www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/behavior.html The Child Mind Institute
Phone: (212) 308-3118 Address: 101 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022 Description: The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. Our teams work every day to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. Of the 74.5 million children in the United States, an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a mental health disorder — more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Half of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14, and 75 percent by the age of 24. In spite of the magnitude of the problem, lack of awareness and entrenched stigma keep the majority of these young people from getting help. Children and adolescents struggling with these disorders are at risk for academic failure, substance abuse and a clash with the juvenile justice system — all of which come at a tremendous cost to them, their families and the community. We are driven to create a brighter future for our children, and we make three commitments:
Depression: All kids have their ups and downs, but if your child is unusually irritable, sad or withdrawn for a prolonged period of time she may be showing signs of depression. Depression is more than moodiness — it can affect all parts of a child’s life, including behavior, appetite, energy level, sleep patterns, relationships and academic performance. In this section you’ll find expert information on spotting and understanding different kinds of depression in children and adolescents, and how to get the most effective treatment for your child. Website: childmind.org/topics/concerns/depression/ Anxiety: Anxiety is the most common emotional problem in children. Kids can develop crippling worries about many things, from germs to vomiting to their parents dying. Some anxious kids are painfully shy, and avoid things that other kids enjoy, Some have tantrums and meltdowns, and others develop elaborate rituals, like compulsive hand washing, aimed at diminishing the fear. Below you’ll find resources, articles and information about the most common anxiety disorders in children, practical advice for parenting anxious children, and the best treatments—both behavioral therapy and medication—for anxiety. Website: childmind.org/topics/concerns/anxiety/ Behavior: Children act out for different reasons. The first step to dealing with tantrums, meltdowns and defiance is to understand what’s bothering a child. We’ve put together the information and articles below to help you explore the best way to handle behavior problems in children. You’ll find information on potential causes of disruptive behavior, including anxiety, learning issues and trauma. And experts share advice on how to help kids learn to manage powerful emotions, and how to recognize behavior problems that may need professional attention. Website: childmind.org/topics/concerns/behavior/ Worry Wise Kids
Description: Even in the best of situations, all children experience some anxiety in the form of worry, apprehension, dread, fear or distress. Occasional nervousness and fleeting anxieties occur when a child is first faced with an unfamiliar or especially stressful situation. It can be an important protection or signal for caution in certain situations. In fact there are specific expected fears that accompany each stage of child development. Normal Anxiety Website: www.worrywisekids.org/node/70 Anxiety Red Flags Website: www.worrywisekids.org/node/43 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Phone: 202-966-7300 Fax: 202-464-0131 Address: 3615 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016-3007 Description of Services: Many children have times when they are sad or down. Occasional sadness is a normal part of growing up. However, if children are sad, irritable, or no longer enjoy things, and this occurs day after day, it may be a sign that they are suffering from major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression. Some people think that only adults become depressed. However, approximately 2% of children and at least 4% of adolescents suffer from depression at any given time. By the end of high school, approximately one young person in five will have had at least one episode of depression. Children and adolescents who are under stress, who experience loss, or who have attentional, learning, conduct, or anxiety disorders are at a higher risk for depression. Depression also tends to run in families. The good news is that depression is a treatable illness. Website: https://www.aacap.org/ Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Children and Teens
Phone: 240-485-1001 (You will be prompted to leave a voicemail. Calls are not answered on a daily basis. ADAA is not a direct service provider.) Address: 8701 Georgia Avenue Suite #412 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Description: ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.ADAA's mission. ADAA focuses on improving quality of life for those with these disorders. ADAA provides education about the disorders and helps people find treatment, resources, and support. More than 11 million people visit ADAA's website each year - from all across the globe. ADAA strives to improve patient care by promoting implementation of evidence-based treatments and best practices across disciplines through continuing education and trainings and accelerating dissemination of research into practice. ADAA promotes scientific innovation and engages a diverse network of basic and clinical anxiety and depression researchers and providers encouraging the implementation of new treatments to clinicians. These commitments drive ADAA’s promise to find new treatments and one day prevent and cure these disorders. ADAA is about people. Our passion is helping people understand the disorders, find treatment, and recover. With more than 1,500 professional mental health members (many of whom contribute blog posts, host webinars, review website content and more) ADAA is a leader in education, training, and research. We educate people about all scientifically supported treatments so they can make informed decisions to best meet their individual needs. We support professionals who provide treatment and those who conduct research. We invest in the future by encouraging students and trainees. Website: adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/anxiety-and-depression Children's Mental Health and Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Project
Phone: 952-838-9000 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST, M-F) Description: Children with mental health, emotional, or behavioral disorders are just like all children in their need to be understood and appreciated for their strengths and talents. They are also just like other children in their need to belong — to their families, school staff, friends, and their communities. Special services and supports may be needed in order for a child with mental health, emotional or behavioral disorders to succeed in school environments, including the general education classroom. They may need the help of a guidance counselor, teacher, special education teacher, or psychologist to help them adapt to school expectations. They may need changes in the school curriculum (accommodations and modifications) so that they can experience success with school work. They may need employment training to prepare them for the world of work. They may need a friendship or social skills group to help them find a friend. These kinds of services may be provided for any child experiencing a problem. Website: www.pacer.org/cmh/ |
US Department of Health and Human Services
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775 Address: 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 Description of Services: The mission of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans. They fulfill their mission by providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. Service Area: National Website: http://www.hhs.gov/ Brain Injury Association of America
National Brain Injury Information Center: 1-800-444-6443 Phone: (703) 761-0750 Fax: (703) 761-0755 Email: braininjuryinfo@biausa.org Address: 1608 Spring Hill Rd, Suite 110 Vienna, VA 22182 Description of Services: The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the country's oldest and alrgest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Their mission is to advance brain injury prevention, research, treatment and education and to improve the quality of life for all individuals impacted by brain injury. Service Area: National Website: http://www.biausa.org/ National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Phone: 1-866-615-6464 Address: 6001 Executive Boulevard Rockville, MD 20852 Mailing Address: 6001 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD 20892 Description: The National Institute of Mental Health is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Ages Served: All Service Area: National Website: www.nimh.nih.gov/ National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Phone: 1-703-524-7600 Address: 4301 Wilson Blvd Suite 300 Arlington VA 22203 Description: NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Ages Served: All Service Area: National Website: nami.org/Home Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation exercises in English and Español from the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) Click here to view webpage. Mental Health America
Phone: (703)684-7722 Address: 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820 Alexandria, VA. 22314 Mental Health America is an organization dedicated to informing, educating, and helping individuals of various ages gain access to mental health resources. Their main goal is to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness especially due to the effects COVID-19 had on mental health. Ages Served: All Service Area: National Click here to view website. SAMHSA
Phone: 1-(877)726-4727 Address: 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 This website works to expose the myths and the facts about mental health along with how to get help, what to look for, and how to have conversations about mental health. Click here to view website. Trauma and PTSD ResourcesNational Child Trauma Stress Network
NCCTS—Duke University Phone: (919) 682-1552 Fax: (919) 613-9898 Address: 1121 West Chapel Hill Street Suite 201 Durham, NC 2770 Description: Our mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. Ages Served: All Service Area: National Website: www.nctsn.org/ Trauma Informed Care Implementation Center
Website only: www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/ Description: Across the country, health care providers, systems, and policymakers increasingly recognize the negative effects of trauma on the health and wellbeing of children and adults. Exposure to trauma — including abuse, neglect, systemic discrimination, and violence — increases an individual’s risk for serious health issues and poor health outcomes throughout life. Our website, provides resources from trauma-informed care leaders across the country to help improve patient outcomes, increase patient and staff resilience, and reduce avoidable health care service use and costs. While the site is geared toward health care settings, many of the lessons herein can be applied elsewhere, including in child welfare services, community-based organizations, and educational settings. Ages Served: All Service Area: National Website: www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/ |