Reliable Sources of Information
It’s true, it’s a lot to digest. But the information on this website only scratches the surface of what’s out there. Here are a few of the most reliable organizations and websites dedicated to the mental health of Americans of all ages. There is a lot of inaccurate content on the Internet. Relying on blogs and taking one person’s opinion often does not leave you with helpful information. Try to be thoughtful about where you go to learn about your health and mental health. Read on for sources that you can depend on. When resources are listed on these websites, they are also reliable. You can certainly start with The Jed Foundation’s resources: JED’s Mental Health Resource Center, ULifeline and Half of Us.
NIMH. The National Institute of Mental Health is a massive government agency that studies the full range of mental illnesses. The “Health Topics” section of its website provides basic information about a wide range of issues related to mental health and more.
SAMHSA. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration “leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.” This government agency offers studies and data for professionals and the public focused on the prevention of mental illness and substance abuse. SAMHSA hosts a treatment-finder and a 24/7 helpline that can help you find mental health or substance treatment.
NIDA. Another government agency, the National Institute on Drug Abuse conducts research and spreads the word so that everyone has the latest information about drug abuse. The website has a special section for teens that provides information written for teens, FAQ’s and blogs about drugs and dangers of drug abuse.
NIAAA. Then National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is the government agency that supports research and educates the public about alcohol and alcohol problems. Their site includes useful news, statistics and has information about underage drinking.
NAMI. The National Alliance on Mental Illness calls itself “the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.” Its website features a form where visitors can pledge to be “StigmaFree”— that is, to challenge stereotypes about people with mental illness. They have lots of excellent information about mental health and especially about living with mental illness.
MHA. Mental Health America is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to promoting the support and care of people with mental illness in local communities. Their site also includes some simple screening tools for mental health problems. On its website you can find information about local Mental Health Associations.
PsychCentral. PsychCentral is one of the largest reliable online resources covering mental health and psychology. It has a tremendous range of information in many different formats.
WebMD. WebMD is one of the largest online sources of general health and medical information. It is directed towards a general audience and covers a wide range of topics. There is excellent content on mental health and youth related health topics here too.
These resources all provide lots of useful and reliable information. We encourage you to explore them and learn about health and mental health.