Organizations

There are a number of organizations that provide support for people who have mood disorders as well as people who have loved ones who are afflicted with a mood disorder.  Some of the organizations are given below.

Organization	Focus
AACAP	American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Professional medical organization of child and adolescent psychiatrists.  Offers information on child and adolescent psychiatry, current research, prevention programs, and managed care, as well as fact sheets for parents.  "Facts for Families" section particularly helpful.
AAGP	American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.  National association of psychiatrists with special training in geriatrics dedicated to promoting the mental health of the elderly.  Advocates for the mental health needs of older Americans.  Web site provides practical advice, including how to go about locating a psychiatrist who specializes in geriatric psychaitry.  "Consumer Information: links to sites for the public.
AFSP	American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Professionals and lay members support projects that further the dissemination of information about depression and suicide and work to develop more treatment programs.  Educates through conferences and literature.  Support groups available nationwide.
APA	American Psychological Association.  Professional organization for psychologists.  Help center on web site is a valuable tool, as well as articles on depression.
ADAA	Anxiety Disorders Association of America.  Promotes patient advocacy, educating the public, encouraging research, and tries to eliminate discrimination associated with anxiety disorders.  Interesting clinical trials are described on their web site.
BAZELON	Bazelon Center.  Nonprofit legal advocacy organization that seeks to uphold national policies recognizing the legal rights of people with mental disabilities.  Web site describes legal ramifications of mental health issues and insurance-related topics.
BEATNIKS	Bethesda Beatniks Dinner Club:  Dinner club for mental health patients, thier family members and friends.  Wednesday evenings, usually followed by presentations by professionals.
BU-CPR	Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.  Provides information for parents and families about rehabilitation for psychiatrically disabled persons.  Announcements and news about special events can be e-mailed directly by filling out the form at the site.
CDC	Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Government agency responsible for monitoring the health of America.  Search depression on the web site to see reports.
CABF	Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation.  Web site explains the importance of education and includes helpful hints for bipolar children and their families.
CADMA	Now DBSANCA.
DANA	Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.  Neuroscientists interested in educating the public and advancing research on the brain.
DAD	Depression After Delivery.  Support, education, information, and referrals for women coping with depression associated with the birth of a baby.
DBSA	Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.  Patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses – depression and bipolar disorder. Fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information. Organization works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably. A "Resources and Links" page has information about how doctors can get free medications for impoverished patients from pharmaceutical companies Note that our support group is affliated with DBSA as well as the regional NCA organization.
DBSANCA	Patient support group that meets on Thursday evenings in Washington DC.  Also provides educational opportunities open to the public.
DBSANCA-Family	The Support Group is for family members and loved ones of people who have mood disorders (e.g., clinical depression, bipolar illness) in the metropolitan DC area.  We meet twice a month at the Parish Hall of St. Raphael's Church in Rockville, Maryland.
IN	Independence Now.  A nonprofit organization created by people with disabilities. We provide services that promote independence and the inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities. We are a non-residential center for independent living. Independence Now promotes the independent living philosophy and equal access for all people with disabilities.
MD Assistance	The Maryland Department of Human Resources provides two interesting programs:  Medical Assistance (help with prescription drug support and low income health insurance) and Disability Entitlement Advocay Program (DEAP - help with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)).
NAMI	National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.  NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.
NAMI-MC	NAMI Montgomery County. The Mission of NAMI-Montgomery County is to advocate on behalf of, to educate, and to support persons with serious brain disorders, their families, and the community.
NAMI-NOVA	NAMI Northern Virginia.   NAMI-Northern Virginia: Family members, consumers and other interested individuals who want to improve the treatment and care of seriously mentally ill adults, adolescents and children in Northern Virginia
NARSAD	National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression.  Largest donor-supported organization devoted exclusively to supporting scientific research on brain disordered.  Site includes clear and basic explanations of the signs and symptoms of both depression and bipolar disorder.
NIH	National Institutes of Health.  NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
NIMH	National Institute of Mental Health.  The lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. Mission is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior.
NMHA	National Mental Health Association.  Oldest and largest nonprofit organization concerend with all mental illnesses.  Volunteers work to improve mental health through advocacy, education, research and service.
PSYCH	American Psychiatric Association.  General public resources include fact sheets, videos, publications, suggested reading list on depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions.  Source for hotline numbers and phone numbers of other organizations that might be helpful.  Matrials in Spanish.  "Public Information" dropdown menu on their web page.
SAMHSA	Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  Government organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of people with substance abuse and;/or mental health needs.  Focus is to educate, eliminate stigma, improve services, and promote policies emphasizing treatment.
WATS	Health service proficiencies include physician and allied health staffing services, clinical support services, and social research and evaluation.   Washington Assessment & Therapy Services 15944 Luanne Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20876 301-588-8881