Treatment Works
A Need for Treatment Exists
More than 44 million Americans suffer from a mental health disorder and approximately four million youth (ages nin to 17) suffer from a mental health disorder (National Institutes of Mental Health). A majority of those with significant mental health problems in the United States receive no treatment, according to multiple studies (e.g., recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Health Affairs, Archives of General Psychiatry).Response to Treatment
Nine out of 10 Americans say that psychotherapy helped them (American Psychological Association survey, 2004).
Barriers to Treatment: Stigma
Most often, reluctance to seek care is an unfortunate outcome of very real barriers. Foremost among these is the stigma that many in our society attach to mental illness and to people who have a mental illness.
Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are valid, treatable health conditions. It leads people to avoid socializing, employing or working with, or renting to or living near persons who have a mental disorder, especially a severe disorder like schizophrenia.
Unfortunately, the stigma sometimes associated with mental health problems or mental illness deters the public from wanting to pay for care and, thus, reduces consumers' access to resources and opportunities for treatment and social services. A consesuent inability or failure to obtain treatment reinforces destructive patterns of low self-esteem, isolation and hopelessness. Stigma tragically deprives people of their dignity and interferes with their full participation in society. It must be overcome.
Barriers to Treatment: Cost
Mental Health Parity is the principle that mental health and physical health issues should be treated equally.
Currently, in states such as Michigan, health insurance benefits for mental health disorders are much smaller than benefits for other legitimate health conditions. "This discrimination in access to care is evidenced by limited coverage, punitive co-pays and restricted access to hospitalization during acute episodes and what one would logically conclude would occur for other untreated or under-treated serious illnesses" (NAMI).
Thirty-eight states have endorsed some sort of mental health parity legislation which has not had a noticeable impact on health insurance premiums.
Specific Mental Illnesses
There are many sources of information about mental illnesses available on the Internet. However, you should use caution about which sites you use. Although not all inclusive, the sites listed below and on our "Links" tab on the right side of this page are reliable sources of public information about specific mental illnesses.
Mental Health Links:
These online resources are provided by the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation as a service to those who are looking for information on our website. This listing includes a mix of government and non-government resources for additional information about mental health issues. The inclusion of these resources does not imply an endorsement of the information contained on the web pages and it is not all-inclusive. There may be many excellent sources of information that are not provided here.
Mental Health:
U.S. Surgeon General Report on Mental Health
This comprehensive report, prepared in 1999 by the U.S. Surgeon General, discusses numerous aspects of mental health care in the U.S. The report also has an Executive Summary.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral resesarch agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on the mind, brain and behavior and dissemination of this information to the public. This site contains excellent science-based information on many aspects of mental health.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This agency is separate and distinct from the National Institutes of Health or any other agency within the HHS and was created to focus attention, programs and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders.
Michigan Community Mental Health Services
Mental health services in Michigan are coordinated through local Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs) in the Department of Community Health. This site provides information on state programs.
MedLine Plus is a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. This site has mental health information ranging from anxiety and depression to information for specific audiences, such as the elderly, women and children. It also has links to other organizations, directories and glossaries to help you understand some of the terminology used in the mental health field.
Mental Help Net is an Internet website dedicated to educating the public about mental health, wellness and family and relationship issues and concerns. Designed and maintained by clinical psychologists since it first launched in November 1995, the site provides scientifically accurate and up-to-date coverage while maintaining an independent editorial stance.
American Psychological Association
This organization of psychologists has an array of public information on mental health and physical wellness, dealing with stress, building resilience and post-traumatic stress disorders, as well as specific mental health disorders.
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
This is the country's oldest and largest non-profit advocacy organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.
Addictions: Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependence
There are many sites with helpful information and resources for substance abuse and chemical dependence. Helpful sites specifically for substance abuse issues and resources include those listed below. The descriptions are generally taken from their websites. Additional resources on non-chemical addictions are also listed.
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Also located in the National Institutes of Health, NIDA funds approximately 85% of the world's research into substance abuse and drug addiction. This website, which contains NIDA-supported science, addresses the most fundamental and essential questions about drug abuse, ranging from the molecule to managed care, and from DNA to community outreach research. The scientific knowledge that is generated through NIDA research is a critical element to improving the overall health of the nation. NIDA's goal is to ensure that science, not ideology or anecdote, forms the foundation for all of our nation's drug abuse reduction efforts. This is an excellent website chock full of information on virtually every illegal drug, plus prescription drug abuse, anabolic steroid abuse and "club drugs". You can also order free publications and find useful links to other websites. Information on particular drugs are so vast, NIDA gives them their own websites.
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
NIAAA provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by: (1) conducting and supporting research in a wide range of scientific areas including genetics, neuroscience, epidemiology, health risks and benefits of alcohol consumption, prevention and treatment; (2) coordinating and collaborating with other research institutes and federal programs on alcohol-related issues; (3) collaborating with international, national, state and local institutions, organizations, agencies and programs engaged in alcohol-related work; and (4) translating and disseminating research findings to health care providers, researchers, policymakers and the public.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This agency is separate and distinct from the National Institutes of Health or any other agency within the HHS and was created to focus attention, programs and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders.
This is the first and oldest 12-step recovery program designed by and for people who want to stop drinking alcohol. Millions of men and women have heard or read about the unique fellowship called Alcoholics Anonymous since its founding in 1935. Of these, more than 2,000,000 now call themselves members.
Using a 12-step model, Narcotics Anonymous is designed for those with chemical addictions that go beyond alcohol.
Addictions: Other Activities
Other activities are increasingly recognized as addictions. These websites offer additional information:
Problem Gambling Education Association
Non-profit organization which offers books and articles for sale on problem gambling.
A 12-step program, similar to AA, that is for compulsive eaters.