Mental Health Resources

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

AACAP’s mission is to promote the well-being of children, adolescents and families through advocacy, education, and research while also supporting the career-long professional development of child and adolescent psychiatrists. The Members of AACAP are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat emotional, behavioral and learning and thinking difficulties while also considering the needs of the family. AACAP upholds clinical standards, advances research and training, advocates for youth mental health, and collaborates with other professionals to improve care. Visit this link to access the AACAP website. 

AACAP has a series of resources designed for families and youth:

• Facts for Families provides brief, current information about topics that impact children, teens, and their families. Click here to visit AACAP’s Facts for Families. 
• Resource Centers help patients and families by offering clear, accessible educational information. Each center includes easy-to-understand definitions, answers to common questions, clinical materials, expert videos, and related content from JAACAP, Scientific Proceedings, and Facts for Families for each specific disorder. Click here to visit AACAP’s Resource Centers. 
• Parents’ Medication Guides, developed by the AACAP and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to help people make well-informed choices about treating mental health conditions in children and adolescents. Click here to visit the AACAP’s Parents’ Medication Guides. 
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (CAP) Finder helps locate psychiatrists offering care for children and adolescents. Click here to visit the AACAP’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (CAP) Finder. 

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is a large nationwide grassroots organization focused on improving life for people affected by mental illness. It began as a small group of families in 1979 and has grown into a broad network of local and state groups that raise awareness, provide education and support, fight stigma, and advocate for better mental health policies and services. Visit this link for NAMI Illinois. Visit this link to explore NAMI’s 21 Illinois affiliates. Affiliates offer services such as support groups and educational services.   

Mental Health America (MHA)

Mental Health America (MHA) is a nonprofit organization that works to promote mental health, well-being and prevention through community education, research, and advocacy. 

Explore Mental Health America’s Community Education and Engagement initiatives: 

• Mental Health Month: Every May is national ‘Mental health Awareness Month.’ During May, MHA has a new theme designed to promote mental wellness.
• BIPOC Mental Health Month: Every July is national ‘Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.’ MHA provides a BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit each year to build understanding of mental health in BIPOC communities.
• Mental Health America Conference: Annual conference that covers emerging mental health issues.
• Supporting Young Minds: Provides young people with a mental health toolkit and adults with resources to best support young people.
• Webinars: Provides webinars for those interested in learning more about mental health (past topics include ‘Finding and Keeping Black joy’, ‘Parenting under pressure’ and ‘Nurturing belonging, emotional well-being, and safety in a new school year’).

Mental Health Screening and Research

• Center for Research and Innovation uses data from over 5 million users each year to “understand community trends on mental illness, trauma, disparity, and access to supports, and create resources to support people post-screening.”
• Mental Health America Screening connects individuals with mental health tools and mental health screens.
• The State of Mental Health in America report: Annual report of mental health and well-being.
• Mental Health America Mapping Project: Here, you can locate comprehensive state and county data about mental health trends (suicidal ideation, severe depression, trauma, and psychosis).

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

CHADD provides evidence-based ADHD support and education for families, teachers. CHADD has nation-wide network of online and in-person communities (offering peer support education, and community). Click here to find your local CHADD. CHADD also has an online support community for caregivers that can be found here.  

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The NIMH serves as the foremost federal agency for research on mental disorders. The NIMH supports and conducts research on mental illnesses and health services. The NIMH has compiled helpful resources regarding seeking help for mental illness, as well as comprehensive brochures and fact sheets for various mental illnesses. 

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (Illinois DCFS)

Illinois DCFS is dedicated to promoting the well being of youth and families by responding to reports of suspected abuse and neglect. Illinois DCFS also connects families and youth to resources and family-centered care. 

• BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation); BEACON offers centralized resources for Illinois youth and family seeking services for behavioral and/or mental health needs.
• Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Family Support Program provides intensive mental health services.
• Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) offers on-site mental health crisis intervention.
• CARES Line provides 24/7 crisis screening and referrals at 1-800-345-9049. 

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

The AAP’s mission is to “attain optimal physical, mental, and social  health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults” by supporting the professional development of its members. The AAP offers a parenting website that provides parenting guidance and support on a wide range of topics (from immunizations, developmental milestones, health issues, emotional health, and family dynamics). The ‘Adoption & Foster Care’ page shares a series of articles related to trauma-informed parenting, aging out of foster care, and other help FAQs for foster parents. 

Epocrates – Medical Research and Education is a helpful forum to locate medical news and clinical information. 

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (CHHCS)

CHHCS is a research and policy center dedicated to enhancing health and education outcomes for youth by partnering health agencies with schools. Their School of Behavioral Health works to embed mental health and behavioral health services in school settings. For further explorations of the CCHCS’s exciting work, peruse their recent publications here.