Self Help Clearinghouse

Families of Mentally Ill

This information is provided as a resource and does not constitute an endorsement for any group. It is the responsibility of the reader to decide whether a group is appropriate for his/her needs. For evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, treatment and wellness issues, continue searching this site.

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

National. 137 affiliated groups. Founded 1989. Parent-run organization focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families. Guidelines available to help start similar groups. Provides information, advocacy, newsletter and conferences. Local support group information available at website.
Write:
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
9605 Medical Ctr. Dr., Ste. 280
Rockville, MD 20850
Voice: 240-403-1901
Fax: 240-403-1909
Website: http://www.ffcmh.org
E-mail: ffcmh@ffcmh.org
Verified: 11/13/2007

BPD Central

Online. Provides links to online groups for persons dealing with a loved one with borderline personality disorder. Several mailing lists given for parents, siblings, grandparents and others close to someone with BPD and one group for persons with BPD themselves (BorderPD).
Website: http://www.bpdcentral.com
Verified: 4/27/2007

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

National. 1100 groups. Founded 1979. Has local self-help groups for family members and others affected by serious mental illness; NAMI-CARE groups for mental health consumers; and online community message boards. Quarterly newsletter. Focuses on education, advocacy, research and support.
Write:
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Voice: 1-800-950-6264 (helpline) or 703-524-7600
Fax: 703-524-9094
Website: http://www.nami.org
Verified: 4/16/2007

Schizophrenia Society of Canada

(ENGLISH and FRENCH) National. 110 societies. Founded 1979. Information, support and advocacy for families and friends of persons with schizophrenia. Public awareness campaigns, advocacy and fund-raising. Newsletters. Guidelines and assistance for starting self-help groups. Information and referrals, phone help, conferences, brochures, handbooks and videos.
Write:
75 The Donway West, Ste. 814
Don Mills
Ontario M3C, 2E9
Voice: 905-415-2007
Fax: 905-415-2337
Website: http://www.schizophrenia.ca
E-mail: info@schizophrenia.ca
Verified: 11/14/2007

Attachment Disorder Network

National network. Founded 1997. Support and information for parents and professionals dealing with children with attachment issues orreactive attachment disorder. Newsletter, phone and online support, and referrals. Dues $25 (includes newsletter).
Write:
Attachment Disorder Network
P.O. Box 23508
Overland Park, KS 66283
Voice: 785-624-6364
Fax: 770-422-7784
Website: http://www.radzebra.org
E-mail: info@radzebra.org
Verified: 11/13/2007

The Selective Mutism Group

Online. Founded 1999. Devoted to educating and promoting awareness on selective mutism and other related childhood anxiety disorders. Online forums and 'Expert Chats' in addition to the Connections Program that links individuals and provides state support group meeting information.
Write:
SMG Support Center
23 N. Market Street
Muncy, PA 17756
Website: http://selectivemutism.org
E-mail: sminfo@selectivemutism.org
Verified: 4/30/2007

Attachment Disorder Support Group

Online. Provides an interactive supportive website for parents, families friends and professionals concerned with a child's troublesome behavior. Offers message forum, e-mail listserv, general information, educational material and helpful links.
Website: http://adsg.syix.com
Verified: 11/11/2007

Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.

National. Founded 1992. Pioneering group that offers mutual support for professionals and parents of children with selective mutism or social phobia (a psychiatric anxiety disorder in which children are unable to speak in social situations). Includes social anxiety and shyness. Also open to adults who had or have outgrown, the disorder. Provides information and online support. Website contains DSM revisions, research studies, printable brochures, literature and publications.
Write:
Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 13133
Sissonville, WV 25360
Website: http://www.selectivemutismfoundation.org
E-mail: sue@selectivemutismfoundation.org or carolyn@selectivemutismfoundation.org
Verified: 9/29/2007

Conduct Disorders Parent Message Board

Online. 7,080 members. Founded 1995. Support for parents living with a child with one of the many behavior disorders including: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, conduct disorder, depression and substance abuse. Parents with children of all ages welcome.
Website: http://www.conductdisorders.com
Verified: 4/27/2007

North American Society for Childhood Onset Schizophrenia

(NASCOS) Online. Founded 2004. Provides families of children with childhood-onset schizophrenia (onset before age 13) with access to information, discussion forum, e-mail list and a geographical locator in order to find other members in your region. Families and caregivers of older patients, whose onset was during childhood, as well as interested professionals are welcome to join.
Write:
NASCOS
88 Briarwood Dr. East
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Website: http://www.nascos.org
E-mail: info@nascos.org
Verified: 5/4/2007

Adult Children of Multiplicity

Model. Founded 1998. Mission is to provide companionship and back up support for adult children (age 18+) who had or have a parent with Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder (MPD/DID).
Write:
Children of Multiplicity
P.O. Box 12376
San Francisco, CA 94112
Voice: 415-585-63521(11am-11:30pm PST)
Verified: 11/12/2007

Adult Children of Narcissists

Online. Email-based support group for children of narcissistic parents. Offers safe, supportive, nurturing environment to discuss past and present concerns about being raised with a narcissistic parent.
Website: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdultChildrenofNarcissists/
Verified: 11/11/2007

Sibling Support Project

National. 200 affiliated groups. Founded 1990. Organization dedicated to the life long concerns of brothers and sisters of children with special health, developmental and mental health concerns. Provides training and technical assistance regarding Sibshops and workshops for school-age siblings.
Write:
Sibling Support Project
c/o Donald Meyer
6512 23rd Ave. NW, Suite 213
Seattle, WA 98117
Voice: 206-297-6368
Fax: 509-752-6789
Website: http://www.siblingsupport.org
E-mail: donmeyer@siblingsupport.org
Verified: 4/24/2007

Time Out for Families

Online. 455 members. Founded 1999. Support for families who have a child or youth with special mental health, behavioral or emotional challenges (ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, Asperger syndrome, depression and more).
Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/timeoutforfamilies/
Verified: 8/24/2007


The above information was "verified" as correct on the date at the end of each entry. Since American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse's database is extensive but staffing is limited and information for these organizations can change, it is not possible to keep every entry in American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse database completely current and accurate. Please check with the organizations listed for the most current information.

For additional information on self-help groups, please visit the American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse web site at http://www.mentalhelp.net/selfhelp

If you find information that is not current, please contact American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse at: admin@selfhelpgroups.org

Copyright © 2008 American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse. All rights reserved.


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Topic Contents
 Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
 BPD Central
 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
 Schizophrenia Society of Canada
 Attachment Disorder Network
 The Selective Mutism Group
 Attachment Disorder Support Group
 Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.
 Conduct Disorders Parent Message Board
 North American Society for Childhood Onset Schizophrenia
 Adult Children of Multiplicity
 Adult Children of Narcissists
 Sibling Support Project
 Time Out for Families