Resources
Educated patients are more effective allies in the battle with their ailments. Moreover, educated patents join advocacy groups, whose work is so important to us all: lessening stigma through public education; lobbying government for research funds, work place protections and equitable insurance coverage; and providing social support for mentally ill individuals and their families. This list is a guide to educational resources of US advocacy and informational organizations.
US Advocacy and Informational Organizations
Alcoholics Anonymous |
Provides educational materials, information on starting local support groups, and contact information for local support groups. |
ANAD-National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders |
National and international chapters. Provides information and advocates for services and research |
Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders |
Collects and disseminates information, maintains local chapters, provides medical referrals, conducts educational and training sessions for educators, civic organizations and professionals. |
Anxiety Disorders Association of America |
Provides a directory of self-help groups and a newletter summarizing recent developments in the treatment of anxiety disorders. |
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies |
Provides a membership list of mental health professionals who focus on behavior therapy. |
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD) |
Provides educational materials, sponsors local chapters and lobbies government for education policies that appropriately accommodate individuals with attention deficit disorder. |
Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey |
Provides education and training, and referrals nationwide for the treatment of compulsive gambling. |
Debtors Anonymous |
Provides printed material modelled on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
Gam-Anon |
Acts as an educational and referral resource for relatives and close friends of compulsive gamblers. |
Gamblers Anonymous |
Organizes local support groups for compulsive gamblers and publishes educational materials. |
Butler Hospital Body Image Program |
Information about Body Dysmorphic Disorder, including symptoms and treatment. |
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance |
Sells an extensive list of scientific article reprints and self-help books, and sponsors local support groups. |
National Mental Health Association |
Publishes educational pamphlets and has local chapters. |
OC Foundation, Inc. |
Provides a newletter, publications, videotapes, list of OCD support groups across the United States and referral to mental health professionals with a special interest in OCD. |
Obsessive Compulsive Information Center |
Provides educational publications regarding OCD, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder and other mental disorders; conducts searches of the scientific literature. |
Sexaholics Anonymous |
A recovery program modeled on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Provides a kit for starting a local group, educational materials and listing of local meeting sites. |
Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. |
Provides reprints of scientific articles, a quarterly newletter offers local support groups and lobbies for research funds and health benefits. |
Trichotillomania Learning Center |
Provides members with an information packet and a bimonthly newletter. |
