Several bills concerning mental health and patient rights are currently making their way through legislation. These bills aim to remove the common 20-session cap on therapy, cover more medications, and provide more institutionalization to those who need it. Until then, it is up to patients to help themselves and research their illness and the resources available to them. Fortunately, there are many organizations that aim to help the mentally ill, from internet sites to regional support groups. Some of these resources are listed below.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 3615 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016-3007 Phone: 202-966-7300 Fax: 202-966-2891
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1050 Bethesda, MD 20814-3004 Phone: (301) 654-7850 Fax: (301) 654-4137
American Psychiatric Association 1400 K. St., N.W. Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 682-6000
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law 1101 15th Street, NW, Suite 1212 Washington, DC 20005-5002 Phone: 202-467-5730 Fax: 202-223-0409 TDD: 202-467-4232 email: bazelon@nicom.com
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015 Arlington, Virginia 22203 Toll Free Helpline- 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Front Desk- (703) 524-7600 Fax- (703) 524-9094
National Mental Health Association 1021 Prince Street Alexandria, VA 22314-2971 Phone: 703-684-7722 Fax: 703-684-5968 Mental Health Information Center: 800-969-NMHA TTY: Line 800-433-5959
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association 730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501 Chicago, Illinois 60610-3526 U.S.A. Telephone: (800) 826-3632 Fax: (312) 642-7243 For general information contact: April Robinson, e-mail address- myrtis@aol.com
World Federation For Mental Health Office of the Secretary General: The Sheppard & Enoch Pratt Hospital P.O. Box 6815 Baltimore, Maryland 21285-6815 U.S.A. Fax: 410-938-3183
Hotlines:
National Mental Health Association: 1-800-969-NMHA Referrals and publications
Organization for Depression Awareness, Inc. 1-800-799-0208
United Way Helpline 1-800-233-HELP 1-800-233-4357
Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment 1-800-421-4211
Health and Human Services: Mental Health Information 1-800-789-2647
The Center For Patient Advocacy 1-800-846-7444
Patient Watch 1-800-440-6877
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