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Supportive Links

A vast amount of information about mental illness exists on the Internet. Below find links to state and national resources listed alphabetically in the following categories:

Minnesota Links
Advocacy, Education, Employment, Housing, Juvenile/Criminal Justice,  Laws/Legal Information, Perinatal Resources, State Organizations-Advocacy/Education

National Links
Advocacy, Education, Employment/Internships, Juvenile/Criminal Justice, Laws/Legal Information, Medication/Health Insurance, Mental  Health Disability Information, National Organizations on Children’s Mental Health,  National Organizations on Adults and Children’s Mental Health,  Psychiatric Information, Suicide Prevention, Support Groups/Interactive Websites, Transportation, Treatment/Research

Minnesota Links

Advocacy:
• Advocating Change Together (ACT)
A disability-rights organization run by and for individuals with developmental and other disabilities.  Offers self-advocacy training for consumers, home to “Remembering with Dignity” project.

• Minnesota Attorney General’s Office of Healthcare Complaint Private Insurance
Minnesota healthcare consumers can use the form below to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office if they have had a problem or dispute with a private insurance issue.

• Minnesota Department of Human Rights
This state agency investigates charges of illegal discrimination; the website also includes information about your rights under the state Human Rights Act. 

• Office of Mental Health Practice
This office investigates complaints against unlicensed mental health practitioners in Minnesota.

• Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
This state office receives complaints and comments about services; it also provides information about the civil commitment process.

Community-Based Services and Supports:
Department of Human Services (DHS of MN)
Contains information about various types of community-based and residential treatment services; includes links to county mental health staff.

• Adult Mental Health (DHS of MN)
Information on mental health programs and services for adults in Minnesota.

• Children's Mental Health (DHS of MN)
Information on mental health programs and services for children in Minnesota. 

• Early Childhood Services
A directory of services available for children with disabilities in MN, compiled by the Minnesota Department of Health.

• Health Resources for Culturally Diverse Communities
A pdf file of culturally-specific mental health services in the 7-county Metro area. Compiled by the Minnesota Department of Health.

• Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
This association works to improve mental health services among providers; website includes training information for mental health professionals.

• Minnesota Health Care Providers Directory
Click on Mental Health, and then find the sub-category of service you are looking for. 

• Minnesota Mental Health Services Information
Follow this link to a list of mental health services available in Minnesota: MinnesotaHelp.info Search engine used to help find local community services and supports in Minnesota.

• Office of Rural Health and Primary Care in Minnesota
Addresses problems of accessing mental health services in rural Minnesota counties.

Education:
• Academic Coaching Center
Assets-based tutoring for youth K-12 in the West Metro area.

• Center for Early Education and Development – University of Minnesota
Includes information on early childhood mental health.  Sponsors trainings and presentations for parents and professionals.

• Minnesota's Pupil Fair Dismissal Act
This pdf document summarizes laws related to school discipline, including when IEP meetings are required and when functional behavioral plans must be established.

• Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
Includes links to publications, parent advocacy information that emphasize ensuring free, appropriate public education for all children.

• Special Education and Mental Health – Minnesota Department of Education
Includes intervention tip sheets for specific mental health diagnoses, links to services available to children with disabilities.

Employment:
• Extended Employment/Vocational Support
Extended employment services offer support to individuals with disabilities who have difficulties finding/maintaining jobs independently.

• Work Incentives Connections
Provides information on how work affects public benefits.

• The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health has launched Employer Innovations Online to help employers take action to address mental health at the workplace by providing case examples of successful corporate approaches.

Financial Help (Situational)
• The 30-Days Foundation provides situational financial help.
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Gambling Problems:
• State problem gambling hotline 1-800-333-Hope (1-800-333-4673)

Housing:
• Bridges
A rental subsidy program for persons with serious and persistent mental illness meeting certain eligibility requirements.  Referrals to the program must be made by a mental health professional.

• Catholic Charities
Provides temporary and long-term housing for the homeless, includes links to food shelves.

• Housing Link
Information about affordable housing and rental subsidies, including Section 8.  Vacant apartments in the 7-county Metro area are updated weekly on Housing Link’s Private Market Vacancy Report (PMVR). Public housing and Section 8 wait list information is available for the Metro area and Greater Minnesota.

• Housing Resources Toolbox
This DHS site describes housing options in the state, services to help individuals remain in their homes, and affordable housing programs.

• Minnesota Public Housing Authority
Includes information about public housing and Section 8 programs, including how to apply to housing waitlists.

• MortgageLoan.com offers a comprehensive guide to housing and mortgages for people with disabilities and covers terminology, the process of buying a house, financial assistance and more.

• Information on additional types of housing can be found in NAMI Minnesota's Hope for Recovery booklet.

Juvenile/Criminal Justice:
• Minnesota Department of Corrections
Includes links to publications on mental illness; also information about state correction prison facilities.

• Minnesota Dept. of Justice - Release Manual for Offenders with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, Chemically Dependent Offenders, and Sexual Offenders
Contains a list of available community resources to be used in discharge planning.  

• Minnesota Second Chance Coalition

Laws/Legal Information:

• Advanced Psychiatric & Health Care Directives (Minnesota)
Advanced directives are legal documents used to help individuals with mental illness make choices about their psychiatric care prior to a future mental health crisis.

• Children's Law Center of Minnesota
This organization has a network of practicing attorneys that provide pro bono legal services representing youth.

• LawHelpMN.org
Provides information about your legal rights under topics such as disability law, education, housing discrimination, and employment rights.  Contains a search engine to find a legal aid office or legal advocate in your area.

• Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance (MMLA)
This organization provides legal advice or representation to low-income individuals and seniors living in specific counties.

• Minnesota Disability Law Center
Provides free civil legal assistance to individuals with disabilities on legal issues that are related to their disabilities.

Medication/Health Insurance:
• Minnesota Children with Special Health Care Needs (MCSHN)
Website includes many links about financial resources, MCSHN clinics across the state, early childhood intervention services, and services that help adolescents transition to adulthood.

• Minnesota Health Care Programs 
Eligibility information, a list of covered services, and application instructions for a variety of health care programs (Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, GAMC, etc.) are found on this Department of Human Services website.

• Minnesota RxConnect
Compare prices for prescription drugs at local Minnesota pharmacies, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom

• Who Pays? Taking the Maze out of Funding
This Minnesota Department of Health publication provides information on eligibility and coverage for public health care programs, information on children’s mental health services, and specific cultural services

Perinatal Resources:

• Postpartum Depression Support Groups: Weekly groups at no cost through Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, Tuesdays, 1:30-3:00 p.m., at Abbott NW Mental Health Outpatient Clinic, 800 E. 28th St. Waise Center, Suite 600.  West St. Paul, Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00 p.m., at Dakota County Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Rd. W.  Please call 612-863-4770 to register for the group or for more information.

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Helpline: 612-787-7776 or ppsmhelpline@gmail.com

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota

• Postpartum Support International

• Twin City Area Perinatal Resource Guide


State Organizations- Mental Health Education/Advocacy:
• ARC Minnesota
Provides advocacy and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

• Autism Society of Minnesota
Provides education, support and advocacy for individuals with autism and their families.

• Behavioral Institute for Children and Adolescents
Provides education and training for practitioners and professionals who provide services to children and adolescents with emotional/behavioral problems.

• Children’s Home Society and Family Services
Provides support and advocacy services to children and families who want assistance advocating, communicating with school personnel, and developing IEPs.

• Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Provides education, support and resource information for persons with epilepsy.

• The Joy Project
Provides information, support, advocacy and resources to people struggling to recover from eating disorders.

• LDA Minnesota
Provides ADHD support groups, services and programs to Learn, Dream and Achieve.

• Mental Health Association of Minnesota
Provides education and advocacy to adults with mental illness and their families.

• Mental Health Consumer Survivor Network of Minnesota (CSN)
Offers self-help tools, training, and education for consumers. CSN believes in a mental health system focused on wellness and recovery.

• Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH)
Contains information on Parent-to-Parent and parent support groups in the state.  Also provides links to publications and trainings for parents and professionals.

• Open Door Anxiety and Panic Support Groups
Offers training on anxiety management.  Support groups offered through NAMI Minnesota.

• Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
Includes links to publications, parent advocacy information that emphasize ensuring free, appropriate public education for all children.

• Recovery Inc.
A self-help program for persons recovering from mental illness that has been in existence since the 1930s.

• Thunder Spirit Center- Chrysalis
Provides services to children, youth, families and parents who are affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

• Tourette Syndrome Association of Minnesota, Inc.
Offers public awareness programs, education and support to individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families.

Suicide Prevention:
• SAVE- Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education
Offers information on suicide prevention, coping with loss and community education.

National Links

Advocacy:
• Consumer/Survivor Mental Health Information- SAMHSA
Contains links to free publications about consumer-directed behavioral health care.

• NAMI National
The NAMI National site provides educational information on mental illness, updates on current news and research, and policy information on federal issues.

• National Disability Rights Network
Provides protection and advocacy information on a wide-range of issues including community integration, criminal justice, housing, Medicare/Medicaid and voting.

• Mental Health America
Contains current stigma alerts, as well as updated news releases, legislative alerts and fact sheets.
 
• National Mental Health Consumers' Self Help Clearinghouse
Includes publications and technical assistance for individuals with mental illness who are interested in self-advocacy and the consumer movement.

• National Empowerment Center
Recovery-focused programs and policies can be found on this consumer-directed web site.

Education:
• Center for Law and Education
Contains links for information on the educational rights of children with disabilities.

• Center for Mental Health in Schools – UCLA
Offers information useful to policy makers, educators, mental health providers and families about mental health in schools.  Includes policy information and tips to handle crisis situations.

• Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice
“Miniweb” links contain information on prevention strategies, conducting strength-based and functional assessments, and promising practices for children with severe emotional disturbances.

• Council for Exceptional Children 
CEC is an international, professional organization focused on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities, exceptionalities, and/or who are gifted.

• Dignity in Schools Campaign
The Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) challenges the systemic problem of pushout in our nation's schools and advocates for the human right of every child to a quality education and to be treated with dignity.  Through DSC, advocates, parents and student organizers, educators and lawyers unite to promote local and national alternatives to a culture of zero-tolerance, punishment and removal.

• Family and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE)
The goal is to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• Guidance Channel Website
Contains information about the social, emotional and educational issues that youth face.  Information is geared towards school professionals (teachers, counselors) and parents.

• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Includes information on children’s disabilities, IDEA, No Child Left Behind, and effective educational practices.  Includes information in Spanish.

• National Dropout Prevention Center for Children with Disabilities (NDPC-SD)
Includes research and dropout prevention resources to families, educators and school administrators.

• National Professional Resources, Inc. – Special Education
Links to DVDs, books and computer software, focused on information for special education teachers and educators.

• National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Information on planning positive behavioral interventions and supports that can be used in school, district or state-wide initiatives.

• Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services – US Department of Education:
Federal site, includes information on large state-based grants.

• Postpartum Depression Education website 
A website developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide education about postpartum depression (PPD).

• U.S. Department of Education - reports and publications
Includes links to multiple resource guides, reports, and publications on addressing mental health disorders in the classroom, IEPs, and appropriate school discipline.

• Wrights Law
Provides information on special education law, education law, and advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities for parents, educators, advocates and legal professionals.

Employment/Internships:
• Equal Employment Opportunity
Federal site defining equal employment and discriminatory employment practices.

• Great Lakes - Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center
The Great Lakes ADA and Accessible IT Center provides information, problem solving assistance and referrals for implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other related laws.

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Provides practical information for persons with disabilities on seeking employment and job accommodations.  Also provides technical assistance to employers wanting to provide reasonable accommodations.

• Summer Internships/Leadership Training
Emerging leaders is a program offering summer internship opportunities for students with disabilities.

Juvenile/Criminal Justice:
• Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project
A multi-state project that is working to improve how the criminal justice system responds to individuals with mental illness.

• National Center on Education, Disability, and Juvenile Justice
Provides information on preventing school failure and delinquency, education for detained youth, and transition services for children returning to school.  Includes parent support links.

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Federal site with links to research, publications, and examples of model programs that address specific aspects of juvenile justice issues.

Laws/Legal Information:
• American Bar Association – Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
Contains disability law updates, search for disability lawyers in your state/city.

• Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page
Includes information about the ADA, links to publications.

• Minnesota Advanced Psychiatric & Health Care Directives
Advanced directives are legal documents used to help individuals with mental illness make choices about their psychiatric care prior to a future mental health crisis.

• Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is the nation's leading civil rights organization representing people with mental illnesses or mental retardation.  Includes research and publications on ADA issues, fair housing, criminal justice, education, Medicaid, and more.

• Health Privacy Project
Contains current information about health privacy rights and HIPAA regulations.

• National Health Law Program
Includes information on health care law for low-income individuals to legal advocates and professionals.

• National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advanced Directives
Advanced directives are legal documents used to help individuals with mental illness make choices about their psychiatric care prior to a future mental health crisis.  Site includes state summaries of statues, FAQs about advanced directives.

Medication/Health Insurance:
• American Psychiatric Association
The main web page includes information on continuing education for professionals and legislative positions taken by the association.

• Information for non-professionals can be found by clicking on “Public Information” or by following the following link:
http://www.healthyminds.org/

• American Psychological Association
The “Consumer Health Center” section contains brochures and articles about mental health; also includes information about referrals.

• Medicare
A U.S. Government website proving information about Medicare, including Part D.  Consumers can search for personalized information on Medigap plans, Medicare Managed Care plans, state assistance programs and pharmaceutical company programs.

• Medicare Caregiver Information

• Medicare Part D Website
Created by a coalition of mental health providers, this website provides information to psychiatrists, mental health providers and consumers about obtaining prescriptions with Medicare Part D coverage.

• Navigating Medicare and Medicaid
This guidebook provides information about Medicare and Medicaid for individuals with disabilities, their families, and advocates.

• ParentsMedGuide.org
Provides accurate information to parents of children and adolescents with depression about medication/treatment options and black box warnings

• Partnership for Patient Assistance
Offers prescription assistance by connecting patients with free public or private programs.

• Public Citizen’s E-letter on Drugs for Severe Psychiatric Illnesses
Provides accurate, objective, updated, and unbiased information on medications used to treat schizophrenia, manic depressive illness, and severe depression.  Funding from pharmaceutical companies is not accepted by this organization.

• NeedyMeds.com
Provides information on drug assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

• Rx Assist
Health care providers and consumers can use this website to access patient assistance programs available through pharmaceutical companies.

• Rx Hope
Offers resources for consumers, advocates and health care providers to access federal, state, and local charitable agencies providing patient assistance programs.

• The Medicine Program.com
This program provides discounts at participating pharmacies for medications and patient assistance programs

Mental Health Disability Information:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Mental Health Work Group
Contains population data on mental illness.  Includes links to state mental health agencies.

• Disability Info.Com: The New Freedom Initiative’s Online Resource for Americans with Disabilities
Contains federal information on employment, education, housing, transportation, health, technology, and civil rights.

• New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
Established in 2002, the New Freedom Commission reports identify ways that federal, state, and local policies can improve treatment and services, and provide successful community integration.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - National Mental Health Information Center
Contains information on a wide range of mental health topics.  Includes links to state-level and national data.

• National Institute of Mental Health
Provides information on mental illness, describes research findings, and offers links to national clinical trials.

• Surgeon General’s Office
Contains recent reports on a variety of health and mental health topics.

National Organizations on Children’s Mental Health:
 • Attention Deficit Disorder Resources has a mission of helping people with ADHD achieve their full potential through education, support and networking opportunities.  

• Autism Speaks
Lists early signs of autism, tips for coping and growing with autism.

• The Balanced Mind Foundation
Guides families raising children with mood disorders to the answers, support and stability they seek.

• Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Providers information for parents, adults with AD/HD or ADD, and professionals

• Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders
The division of the Council for Exception Children that focuses on promoting the welfare of children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

• Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Provides support and leadership for family-run organizations that support children’s mental health.

• Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges
Provides support and educational resources for parents, educators, and professionals who care for children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

National Organizations on Children’s and Adult Mental Health:
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Offers information on anxiety disorders, including OCD, PTSD, and phobias.

• Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center
Free information on borderline personality disorder.  Also includes a list of questions to ask before selecting a treatment program.

• Bulimia Resource Guide
Includes tips on signs that family members and friends to look for, suggested questions to ask when seeking treatment, and information on mental health parity/insurance coverage.

• Center for Mental Health Services
Provides information on a wide range of topics related to mental illness.

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Information about mood disorders, including tips for living with mood disorders and treatment options.

• A Hope and a Future, Inc.
Contains facts about mental illness, includes culturally-specific information.

• Recovery International
A self-help organization that helps individuals deal with their symptoms and maintain mental health.

• SAFE Alternatives
Resources and treatment option for individuals who demonstrate self-injurious behaviors.
 
• Schizophrenia.com
Contains many online resources, also chat rooms for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia and family members.

• Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc.
Includes information about Toruette Syndrome, including legislative updates and treatment options.

Psychiatric Information:
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
Offers information on symptoms of mental illness and medications; includes search engine for state/local child psychiatrists.

• American Psychiatric Association- Practice Guidelines
Offers practice guidelines to psychiatrists about treating specific mental health disorders.

• American Psychiatric Association – Healthy Minds
Consumer-friendly APA site.  Includes fact sheets, publications and age-specific topics.

• Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Includes list of recovery-based resources, information on reasonable accommodations for employers and educators.

Suicide Prevention:
• American Association of Suicidology
Provides facts about suicide, suicide prevention tips, and current research.

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Includes suicide facts.  Minnesota does not have any AFSP support groups.

• National Association for People of Color Against Suicide

• Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA)
Contains suicide prevention information for policy makers, advocates, and survivors.

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Funded by SAMHSA, this site offers suicide prevention information to communities and states.  Contains updates links to recent news and research.

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK, provides immediate assistance to individuals in crisis by connecting them to the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider.

• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
This initiative aims to reduce the number of suicides across the country.  Contains information on local, state and federal suicide prevention efforts.

Support Groups/Interactive Websites:

• Bipolar Disorder Health Line

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Information about mood disorders.  Links to Minnesota support groups.

 • Dual Recovery Anonymous
Support groups for people who have a mental illness and chemical dependency.

• Emotions Anonymous
A 12-step organization, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, involving weekly meetings for people recovering from emotional issues.  Links to Minnesota support groups.

• Mind Zone-A Site for Teens
Teen-friendly website offering advice for taking care of themselves and their friends.  Also includes information on mental illness, opportunities to post questions for experts.

• National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
Provides information on mental health issues relating to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.  Offers online forum.

• Postpartum Depression Online Support Group
Includes online support group and information on postpartum depression.

• Postpartum Support International
Includes information on postpartum depression, contact information for MN support group.

• Postpartum Support for Dads
Online resource for dads, created by PSI Dad's Coordinator David Klinker.

Transportation:
• Project Action
The Easter Seal’s Project ACTION offers technical assistance and resources to ensure public transportation for people with disabilities.

Treatment/Research:
• The Mental Health Research Association (NARSAD)
A donor-supported organization that supports research on brain and behavioral disorders.  Includes links to research summaries.

NOTE: The list of websites of other organizations on NAMI Minnesota's website is to share information on possible resources and is not an endorsement of the information, services, support, etc., they offer.

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