|
The links below are intended as a guide in your pursuit to connect with other people and websites that may offer helpful information or resources.
Please note: This page is not intended as a recommendation of any of the websites or services listed. It is for informational purposes only.
Massachusetts Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs):
In addition to the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community, there are five other Recovery Learning Communities funded in the state of Massachusetts. Each RLC is unique and available supports and approaches vary from one to another. They include:
These organizations offer training, support and networking opportunities to individuals working as (or interested in working as) peer workers.
- Focus on Recovery - United: www.focusonrecovery.org/- A peer organization offering a variety of trainings in neighboring Connecticut
- Mary Ellen Copeland Center: www.mentalhealthrecovery.com/ - Offering information and training in Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)
- National Association of Peer Specialists: www.naops.org/ - Private, non-profit dedicate to peer support in mental health systems
- The Transformation Center: www.transformation-center.org - Operating the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) training program in Massachusetts
Peer-to-Peer Organizations:
The organizaztions listed below are run by and for individuals who have lived experience with psychiatric diagnoses, extreme states and/or trauma. They offer a variety of resources, supports and information.
- Adlib: http://www.adlibcil.org/ - One of our local Independent Living Centers supporting the Berkshire County area
- Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): www.dbsalliance.org - Peer-run support groups for individuals labelled with depression and bipolar disorders
- Freedom Center: www.freedom-center.org - Advocacy, supports and information in the Northampton, MA area
- The Icarus Project: www.theicarusproject.net/ - An international community offering resources and support
- Intervoice: www.intervoiceonline.org/ - An international community for individuals who hear voices and information on Hearing Voices groups
- Mindfreedom, International: www.mindfreedom.org - An international community offering resources, information and activism
- M-POWER: www.m-power.org - Advocacy and activism on issues pertaining to recovery and mental health
- The National Empowerment Center: www.power2u.org/ - Offering technical assistance, advocacy and empowerment related to mental health recovery
- The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse: www.mhselfhelp.org/ - Website offering resources, training curricula and information
- The RECOVER Project: www.recoverproject.org/ - Providing peer-to-peer support to individuals who have been impacted by substance abuse and addictions (based in Greenfield, MA)
- Stavros: www.stavros.org - One of our local Independent Living Centers supporting the Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin County areas
- The Transformation Center: www.transformation-center.org - Training, resources and support for individuals throughout Massachusetts
Local Community Organizations:
The organizations listed below are community-based in the Western Mass area and offer a variety of resources and supports.
- After Incarceration Support Systems Program (AISS): www.hcsdmass.org/aiss.htm - Funded through the Hampden County Sherriff's office, this program provides a variety of supports to individuals in Hampden County who have been incarcerated and are attempting to re-integrate into the community
- Amherst Survival Center: www.amherstsurvival.org/ - Providing free meals, food and other supports to individuals in need in the Amherst area
- Center for Self Reliance: www.communityaction.us/index.php?id=363- Storefront food pantries based in Greenfield and Shelburne Falls
- Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT): www.communityaction.us/index.php?id=366 - Providing supports to individuals who have experienced violence or a tragedy in their lives (focus on Hampshire and Franklin Counties)
- Everywoman's Center: www.umass.edu/ewc/ - Information and referral to a variety of resources as well as rape crisis services, educational opportunities, leadership networks and alternative counseling supports
- First Call for Help: www.communityaction.us/index.php?id=368 - Providing referrals to a number of community resources and supports in the Franklin, Hampshire, North Quabbin and Hampden County areas
- Franklin Area Survival Center: www.survivalcenter.blogspot.com/ - Offering a food pantry and other supports to individuals in the Franklin County area (based in Turners Falls)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Mass: www.namiwm.org/ - Providing support and resources to individuals diagnosed with a mental illness, their families and the community in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties
- National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County: www.namibc.org/ - Providing support and resources to individuals diagnosed with a mental illness, their families and the community in Berkshire County
- New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT): www.nelcwit.org/ - Serving individuals who have experience domestic or sexual violence in the Franklin County/North Quabbin area
- Northampton Survival Center: www.thensc.org/ - Providing food, clothing, household supplies and referrals to individuals in need in the Northampton area
- Safe Passage: www.safepass.org/ - Providing women and children with support needed to move forward after domestic violence (based in Northampton, MA)
- Western Mass Training Consortium (The Consortium): http://www.wmtcinfo.org/typolight/ - A longstanding leader in peer community development and peer participatory process, the Consortium is the Western Mss RLC's umbrella organization
- Womanshelter/Compañeras: www.womanshelter.org/ - Dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and abuse (based in Holyoke, MA)
Local Providers:
The organizations listed below offer traditional adult mental health and crisis services throughout Western Massachusetts. Many of the organizations listed also provide other services including children's mental health services, sheltering, substance abuse treatment, employment supports and more.
- The Behavioral Health Network: www.bhninc.org - Mental health and crisis services in the Holyoke and Springfield areas
- The Brien Center: www.briencenter.org - Mental health and crisis services in Berkshire County
- The Carson Center: www.carsoncenter.org - Mental health and crisis services in the Westfield area
- The Center for Human Development: www.chd.org - Mental health services in the Holyoke and Springfield areas
- Community Enterprises: www.communityenterprises.com - Mental health and employment supports, including for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
- Clinical & Support Options: www.csoinc.org - Mental health and crisis services in Hampshire and Franklin County
- The Department of Mental Health: www.mass.gov/dmh - The state government's Department of Mental Health website providing information on how to apply for state funded services and available resources
- The Gandara Center: www.gandaracenter.org - Mental health services with a focus on the latino/hispanic communities throughout Hampden county as well as neighboring communities
- Gould Farm: www.gouldfarm.org - Mental health services in Monterey, MA
- Hawthorne Services: www.hawthornservices.org/ - Mental health services and day programs in parts of Hampden County
- Human Resources Unlimited: www.hru.org - Clubhouse/employment supports in Hampshire and Hampden counties
- The Mental Health Association: www.mhainc.org - Mental health services in Hampden County
- River Valley Counseling Services: www.holyokehealth.com/rivervalley - Mental health services and day treatment in the Holyoke area
- ServiceNet, Inc.: www.servicenet.org - Mental health services primarily in Franklin and Hampshire counties
- Valley Human Services: www.carsoncenter.org/programs/thecarsoncenterfor2/ - Mental health services in the Ware/Palmer area
- Walden Behavioral Care: www.waldenbehavioralcare.com/ - Mental health services with a specialty in treatment of individuals diagnosed with eating disorders (based in Northampton and Waltham, MA)
- Windhorse Integrative Mental Health: www.windhorseimh.org - Menth health services in the Northampton area offering a whole person integrated approach to wellness
Hospitals W/Psychiatric Services:
The hospitals listed below offer inpatient mental health services, as well as, in some cases, partial hospitalization programs in Western Massachusetts.
National & International Organizations:
This listing contains links to a variety of national and international organizations that have missions relate to mental health.
- American Psychiatric Association: www.psych.org/ - Offers a variety of information and resources on psychiatry and mental health
- American Psychological Association: www.apa.org/ - Offers a variety of information and resources on psychology and mental health
- National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/- Offers a unifying voice of America's behavioral health organizations
- National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml - Dedicated to transformationg the understanding and treatment of mental health issues
- International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery: www.intar.org/ - A network of individuals all over the world working together to promote alternatives and recovery
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov/ - Governmental agency dedicated offering research, resources and grants related to recovery
Food & Body Image Issues:
These sites provide a variety of resources and information on body image issues and eating disorder diagnoses.
- Academy for Eating Disorders (AED): www.aedweb.org/ - A global professional organization dedicated to training and advancement of treatment
- Body Positive: www.bodypositive.com/ - Dedicated to 'Boosting body image at any weight'
- The Dressing Room Project: www.thedressingroomproject.org/ - A project to free girls and women from media-imposed standards of beauty
- Eating Disorders Anonymous: www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/ - Devoted to the idea that recovery means living without obsessing on food, weight and body image
- Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center: www.edreferral.com/ - On-line resource information and referral
- Food Addicts Anonymous: www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/ - On-line resources, support and information
- The Elisa Project: www.theelisaproject.org/ - Striving to provide resources and act as a change agent in healthcare policy and body image issues
- HUGS International: www.hugs.com/ - A non-dieting and body acceptance site
- Multiservice Eating Disorder Association (MEDA): www.medainc.org/ - Information, supports and resources
- National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA): www.naafaonline.com - Providing resources, supports and advocacy toward acceptance of different body sizes
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD): http://www.anad.org/ - Support, advocacy and resource information
- National Association for Males with Eating Disorders (NAMED): www.namedinc.org/ - Information and resources for men diagnosed with eating disorders
- National Center for Overcoming Overeating: www.overcomingovereating.com/ - Dedicated to ending dieting and body hatred
- National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA): www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ - Advocacy, information and resources related to individuals diagnosed with eating disorders
- Overeaters Anonymous: www.oa.org/ - Twelve-step support for individuals struggling with overeating and food addiction issues
- Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders: www.something-fishy.org/ - A site dedicated to recovery for individuals labeled with eating disorders and/or struggling with body image issues (this might be not so great; review)
Substance & Addiction Issues
These sites offer a variety of supports and information related to substance and alcohol abuse and addiction issues.
- The 12 Step Cafe: www.12steps.org/ - Forums, chat rooms and other supports and resources for individuals working a 12-step program
- Addicted.com: http://local.addicted.com - Resources, information and supports for individuals impacted by addiction issues
- Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org - Twelve-step recovery information and resources related to alcohol abuse
- Dual Diagnosis Website: users.erols.com/ksciacca/ - Information, resources and bulletin board pertaining to psychiatric diagnoses, drug and alcohol addiction
- Dual Recovery Anonymous: www.draonline.org/ - Twelve-step recovery information and resources for individuals experiencing mental health and substance/alochol abuse issues
- Narcotics Anonymous: http://www.na.org/ - Twelve-step recovery information and resources related to substance abuse
- Treatment 4 Addiction: www.treatment4addiction.com/ - On-line resource database for addiction services, sober houses and more!
- Women for Sobriety: www.womenforsobriety.org/ - Information, supports and resources for women in substance abuse recovery
Self-Injury
These sites offer resources and information pertaining to self-injury.
Autism & Neruodiversity
This list offers a variety of sites relating to Autism, Aspergers and neurodiversity.
- Asperger's Assocation of New England: www.aane.org/ - Resources and information relating to Aspergers
- Auties.org: www.auties.org/ - Networking and resources for individuals identifying as Autistic
- Autism National Committee: www.autcom.org/ - Dedicated to 'Social Justiced for All Citizens with Autism'
- The Autistic Self Advocacy Network: www.autisticadvocacy.org/ - Promoting equal access for individuals diagnosed with Autism and related disorders
- Autreach Network: https://autreach.backpackit.com/pub/2906865 - A coalition of groups working to support inclusion and rights for individuals diagnosed with Autism
- Neurodiversity: www.neurodiversity.com/main.html - A site honoring the 'variety of human wiring'
- Online Aspergers Syndrome Information and Support Center: www.aspergersyndrome.org/ - On-line resources and information relating to Aspergers
This listing contains a variety of employment-related supports available in our area.
- Berkshireworks: www.berkshireworks.org/ - A variety of employment resources are offered by this One Stop Career Center based in Pittsfield and Northa Adams
- Careerpoint: www.careerpointma.org/ - A variety of employment resources are offered by this One Stop Career Center based in Holyoke
- Futureworks: www.futureworks-now.com/ - A variety of employment resources are offered by this One Stop Career Center based in Springfield
- Franklin Hampshire Career Center: www.fhcc-onestop.com/ - A variety of employment resources are offered by this One Stop Career Center based in Northampton, Greenfield and Orange
- Leadership, Employment, Advocacy and Development (LEAD): http://www.wmtcinfo.org/~wmtc/typolight/index.php/leads.html - A sister community of the Western Mass RLC, LEAD offers employment supports and small career initiative grants
- Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition: www.massclubs.org/ - A website offering clubhouse information and local clubhouse locations and resources
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/mrc/ - The website for this state-funded employment support offers information and local resources
Housing-Related Websites:
This listing contains websites offering housing-related resources, including shelters and other listings.
SSI/SSDI & Other Benefit Resources:
This listing contains a variety of websites offering resources on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Food Stamps and other benefits available in Massachusetts.
- Beneplan: www.beneplan.org/ - A website dedicated to the Beneplan program, offering assessment and support services for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries
- Department of Transitional Assistance: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dta/ - Providing cash and food assistance to individuals and families in need
- Energy Programs: www.communityaction.us/index.php?id=392 - Offering fuel assistance and other energy-related supports and information in Franklin and Hampshire Counties
- Getting Food Stamps: www.gettingsnap.org/ - A website dedicated to helping you get Food Stamps in Massachusetts
- Mass Resources on-line: www.massresources.org - A website offering information about a variety of benefits in the state, including childcare, food and more
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR): http://www.nosscr.org/ - Providing information, support and referrals for individuals claiming Social Security benefits and those representing them
- Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov/ - The government's Social Security site providing information and applications for SSI and Disability benefits
- Social Security Disability Resource Center (SSDRC): www.ssdrc.com/ - Information and resources on SSI and SSDI
Legal Services & Info:
This listing contains a variety of websites offering legal resources and information.
- Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page: www.ada.gov/ - Offering information and technical assistance on ADA issues
- Center for the Human Rights of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry: www.chrusp.org/ - Advocacy organization for human rights of individuals who have received psychiatric labels
- Center for Public Representation: www.centerforpublicrep.org/ - A national law firm dedicated to serving individuals labeled with disabilities and to pursuing system change and enforcement of rights
- CORI Reader: http://www.masslegalservices.org/cori - A service of Mass Legal Services, this site is dedicated to helping advocates and individuals understand and/or correct their Criminal Offender Record report
- Disability Law Center: www.dlc-ma.org/ - Private, non-profit legal advocacy organization responsible for providing legal advocacy on disability issues that promote the fundamental rights of all people to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of Massachusetts
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF): www.dredf.org - Dedicated to advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy, training, education, and public policy and legislative development
- Find Law: www.findlaw.com/ - On-line resource on laws and a variety of legally-related topics
- Five Fundamental Rights Document: www.m-power.org/5_fundamental_rights - List of the 'Five Fundamental Rights' held by any individual receiving services through any Department of Mental Health-licensed service in Massachusetts
- National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA): www.narpa.org/ - Promoting policies and strategies that support individuals with psychiatric diagnoses to self-determine treatment
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): www.ndrn.org/ - Protection and advocacy for individuals who have been labeled as having a disability
- Psychrights: www.psychrights.org/ - Providing information and advocacy on issues and rights impacting individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses
- Rogers Order Ruling: www.freedom-center.org/pdf/rogersruling.pdf - The legal document detailing the court's ruling around Rogers Orders
- Western Mass Legal Services: http://www.masslegalservices.org/showprogramoffices/1485 - Providing legal advice, education and representation on non-criminal issues to individuals who qualify as low-income
Miscellaneous Mental Health Links:
This listing contains a variety of websites including those with diagnosis-specific information as well as ones that just didn't quite fit into any of the other categories above.
- Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation: www.bu.edu/cpr/about/index.html - Offers a variety of trainings and direct supports based out of Boston University, as well as on-line information and resources
- The Community Consortium: www.community-consortium.org/ - Providing technical assistance and support for building inclusive communities for individuals labelled with psychiatric disabilities
- Critical Think Rx: www.criticalthinkrx.org/ - An free on-line training curriculum encouraging critical thought and deeper understanding of the use of psychotropic medications. May be taken by anyone, but offers continuing education credits for many mental health practitioners and attorneys
- Crooked Beauty: www.crookedbeauty.com - Website for the recovery-oriented film, Crooked Beauty, by Ken Paul Rosenthal
- Daniel Mackler's Website: www.iraresoul.com - Take These Broken Wing's' filmmaker, Daniel Mackler's website
- Healthline: www.healthline.com - Website offering information and videos on a number of phsyical and mental-health related topics and diagnoses
- Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP): www.ismp.org/ - A site for professionals and individuals in the community providing information and resources toward the safe use of medications
- Mad Student Society: www.madstudentsociety.com/ - A website for individuals who are both students and who are or have experienced the psychiatric system
- Medline Plus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealth.html - The National Institutes of Health website on
- OC87: www.oc87.com - The website for OC87, a biographical feature-length film about Buddy who identifies as struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression and Aspergers Syndrome
- PreventSuicide.Net - www.preventsuicide.net/ - On-line support and resources for individuals who are struggling with feeling suicidal
- PsychCentral.com: psychcentral.com/ - Information and resources on a variety of mental-health related issues
- Psychdiagnosis.net: www.psychdiagnosis.net/ - Paula Kaplan's website exploring the potential negative impact of receiving psychiatric diagnoses
- Robert Whitaker: www.robertwhitaker.org/robertwhitaker.org/ - Website for journalist, Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic
- Safe Harbor: www.alternativementalhealth.com/ - Resource information and referral for alternative mental health services
- Soteria: www.moshersoteria.com/ - Website focusing on Dr. Loren Mosher and the Soteria model of treatment for individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia
On-line Magazines and Radio Shows
This listing includes on-line magazines and radio shows which often address issues related to mental health and recovery.
- Channeling the Muse: Radio show with Opeyemi Parham, often touching on subjects related to mental health and healing. Listen to the live streaming show at www.wmcb.net on Fridays at 6pm or find old shows at www.archive.org by searching for 'audiofiles' (subject) and 'channeling the muse.'
- Madness Radio: www.madnessradio.net/ - Listen to streaming interviews with a variety of individuals to mental health and the recovery movement
- Ragged Edge: www.ragged-edge-mag.com/ - An on-line magazine on disability issues
- Recovery Diaries: www.recoverydiaries.com/ - A on-line magazine devoted to sharing stories of recovery
Recovery-Related Blogs
These sites offer personal accounts of recovery from mental health and substance abuse struggles.
Spiritual Emergency Perspective
This listing offers links to information on spirituality, mental health and the spiritual emergency perspective.
Trauma Perspective
These links relate to trauma, trauma sensitivity and the trauma perspective.
- The ACE Study: www.acestudy.org/ - The Adverise Childhood Experiences (ACE) website offering research-based information on the relationship between trauma and a number of other life experiences
- The Anna Instituate: http://www.theannainstitute.org/ - A site dedicated to educating people about the impact of childhood trauma
- Gift from Within: www.giftfromwithin.org/ - A site dedicated to supporting individuals who identify as trauma survivors and their loved ones and supporters
- Interational Society for the Study of Stress and Disassociation (ISST-D): www.isst-d.org/ - eeks to advance clinical, scientific, and societal understanding about the prevalence and consequences of chronic trauma and dissociation
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studdies (ISTSS): www.istss.org/Home.htm - A site geared toward professionals about the impact of trauma
- Many Voices: http://www.manyvoicespress.org/ - Words of hope for people recovering from trauma & Dissociation (including a monthly on-line publication)
- The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care: www.samhsa.gov/nctic/default.asp - A technical assistance website dedicated to building awareness and supporting implementation of trauma-informed care practices.
- The National Trauma Consortium: nationaltraumaconsortium.org/ - Dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of trauma
- The Sidran Foundation: www.sidran.org/ - Providing a great deal of information and resources on trauma and related supports
- The Trauma Center: www.traumacenter.org/ - Training, consultation and supports for individuals who have experienced trauma and those supporting them
- Witness Justice: www.witnessjustice.org/ - Help and healing for victims of violence
Recovery & The Arts
- Anchorhouse Artists: anchorhouseartists.org/ - Offering support to individuals diagnosed with mental illness who are seeking to make or expand creative arts careers
- The Glassbook Project: www.glassbookproject.org - A website about surviving and understanding the impact of trauma through art (creation of glass books). Their website requires the latest Flash update.
- The Painted Brain: http://paintedbrain.org/ - A group of artists diagnosed with mental illness based in California who have created an on-line magazine
- The Survivors Art Foundation: www.survivorsartfoundation.org/ - A website dedicated to encouraging healing through art
- Tunefoolery: www.tunefoolery.org/ - A boston-based group of individuals with psychiatric disabilities who are also musicians and offer solo and group performances
Just for Fun Links:
These links are just for fun. Some of them have absolutely nothing to do with mental health issues whatsoever, while others may take a satirical approach to otherwise serious issues.
- Bonkers Institute for Nearly Genuine Research: www.bonkersinstitute.org/ - A satirical look at psychiatric treatment and related topics
- Google Translate: translate.google.com/ - Translates from one language to another almost instantaneously, with dozens of languages available to choose from
- Portable North Pole: www.portablenorthpole.tv/home - Know a child (of any age) who celebrates Christmas? Visit this site to send a personalized video from Santa
- The Onion News: www.theonion.com/ - Sick of the real news? Take a break fromt reality with this version of the news...
|
Helpful Links
