Patient Resources

Urgent Crisis Intervention

Additional Helpful Websites

The internet abounds with information - and misinformation- about mental health. We have compiled a list of noncommercial / nonprofit links that provide accurate information about psychiatric conditions and offer resources for patient support and advocacy.

PMA is not responsible for the content of any particular site.

Best Overall Sites – Look Here First!

1. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) maintain the most comprehensive, noncommercial websites concerning research and treatment of all health conditions. The following are particularly relevant for mental health care.

1. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/index.shtml this site provides links to articles, research, and latest scientific developments for treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and other conditions.
2. Direct link to National Institute of Mental Health ‘s information site about psychiatric medications http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/mental-health-medications.shtml
3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ l information on alcohol problems for patients and families
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/ addresses prescription and non-prescription substance use problems
5. National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health useful information on healthy aging as well as memory disorders

2. American Psychiatric Association http://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families Clinically focused, evidence based information about anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions, updated regularly

3. Anxiety and Depression Association of America http://www.adaa.org/ An easy to navigate format that provides patient support and advocacy as well as educational information

4. American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/index.aspx Articles and information related to psychological issues affecting general health and wellbeing. Especially helpful articles on coping with trauma http://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/index.aspx or the impact of chronic disease

5. National Center for PTSD: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/index.asp Although this site is maintained by the VA, the information and resources here are extremely useful for anyone (military or civilian) recovering from a traumatic experience.

Additional General Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/ Venerable patient advocacy group, works nationally and locally to destigmatize mental illness, emphasizes support for families

Psych Central http://psychcentral.com/ Patient Centered articles on emotional wellness as well as specific disorders. Not commercial free (some ads). Easy to read with broad appeal.

The websites below focus on specific conditions. These sites may provide a different perspective or emphasize patient advocacy and support.

Addiction:

• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) http://www.aaap.org/patient-resources/
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) http://www.asam.org/for-the-public
• VIDEO: Best advice for People Taking Opioid Medication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Na2m7lx-hU&feature=youtu.be

Alzheimer’s and other dementias:

• Alzheimer’s Association, Patient advocacy and information: http://www.alz.org/

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

• Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org/new-to-adhd/

Cancer and Mental Health:

• National Institute of Health, Coping with Cancer: http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping
• American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/index

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

• ECT: A Light in the Darkness: http://www.ecttreatment.org/
• National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies.shtml
• Up To Date: ECT Therapy (Beyond the Basics) http://www.uptodate.com/contents/electroconvulsive-therapy-ect-beyond-the-basics#H1

Obsessive compulsive disorder

• International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF) https://iocdf.org/

Physicians Health:

• Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) http://wphp.org/ Helps identify, refer for evaluation or treatment, monitor the recovery and endorse the safety of healthcare practitioners who have a condition, mental or physical, which could affect their ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

Suicide:

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/
• Forefront Inovations for Suicide Prevention & Bereavement: http://www.intheforefront.org/help/bereaved

Women’s Mental Health:

• Office of Women’s Health: http://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/ A noncommercial government website that compiles information on women’s health and women’s mental health, including menopause, postpartum issues
• NIH Postpartum Fact Sheet: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2005/December2005/docs/01features_02.htm
• National Institute of Mental Health information on depression in women: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml