Here are just a few of the many mental health resources available on the Internet, with a brief review of each to give you an idea of what you'll find.

The American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
www.selfhelpgroups.org
The American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse is a non-profit service which provides comprehensive information on hundreds of support groups, and local self-help support group clearinghouses.

Anxiety Disorders Education Program
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
The Anxiety Disorders Education Program is a nationwide education campaign developed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to increase awareness among the public and health care professionals that anxiety disorders are real medical illnesses that can be effectively diagnosed and treated.

Internet Mental Health
www.mentalhealth.com
This site was designed by Dr. Phillip Long, a Canadian psychiatrist, and covers everything from descriptions of the 50 most common mental illnesses and their treatments to free downloadable diagnostic software for mood disorders. The creation of this site grew out of the Canadian-Japan Mental Health Exchange of 1994, where Dr. Long visited Japanese mental hospitals and lived in the homes of mentally ill Japanese patients. In addition to the encyclopedia of information on topics such as complications of popular treatments, you'll also find an online magazine full of news and articles. Inspiring reading for all are the recovery success stories.

Mental Health Bill of Rights
www.apa.org/topics/rights/
The American Psychological Association, along with other groups such as the National Association of Social Workers and the American Nurses Association, developed the Mental Health Bill of Rights (Principles for the Provision of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services) to help protect individuals seeking mental health treatment. Go to the Web site below to learn about the types of questions you should ask your benefits manager about your health insurance plan. There's also helpful information on confidentiality issues relating to managed care plans.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
www.nami.org
NAMI is a grassroots support and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illness and those who care for them. Among the wealth of resources in this site, you'll find information about current medications, treatment trends, and news of ongoing clinical research. Of special interest is the Washington Outlook, which keeps you up-to-date with the changes that are happening in the legislative corridors and regulatory agencies regarding mental illness. This site also includes listings of upcoming conferences and meetings, book reviews, and a Help Line. You can even become a member of NAMI by registering online.

New York City Voices
www.newyorkcityvoices.org
New York City Voices: A Consumer Journal for Mental Health Advocacy was founded in 1995 by the late Ken Steele, a paranoid schizophrenic who lived inside the delusions and hallucinations of his disease for 32 years. It has become a journal where mental health consumers, ex-patients/survivors, family members, and professional helpers can let their voices be heard, providing mutual support for living the most empowered and independent lives possible. This journal is inclusive of all ideas and opinions which advance the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families.

The Schizophrenia Home Page
www.schizophrenia.com
This Web site focuses exclusively on schizophrenia, and it's chock full of information – from articles on diagnosis and treatment to tips on coping – including advice on handling crises. It hosts a number of discussion groups, including online support for patients, families, and friends, as well as separate forums for talking about medications and treatment – and you can link to Friends and Advocates of the Mentally Ill (FAMI), another important mental health organization. Additionally, it includes a special area for professionals, researchers, social workers, and students. Be sure to subscribe to the free online newsletter, delivered by e-mail.