The Internet has many resources to help you learn about mental health issues and how to make your voice heard about these issues. The links below are listed to give you a small sampling of what is available. Each of these sites has links to other sites, and these have links to yet other sites. Although we have found these sites useful, we do not endorse them nor can we guarantee the accuracy of their materials.

Local Links: 

Advocacy Unlimited - information on psychiatric disabilities, advocacy, education and other special topics

Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - information on statewide services

Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) - CCAR promotes and puts a positive face on recovery through advocacy, education and service

Connecticut Legal Rights Project - is an independent, nonprofit agency that advocates for low-income adults who have, or are perceived to have, a psychiatric disability

Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate - protection, care, and advocacy

Connecticut Office of Protection & Advocacy For Persons with Disabilities an independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut

Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to protect children, improve child and family well-being and support and preserve families.

FAVOR, Inc. (Family Advocacy Organization) provides Connecticut parents and caregivers of children with mental health needs an opportunity to be part of a unified voice that will be heard throughout the state.

Focus On Recovery - United - dedicated to promoting wellness by encouraging positive change in the lives of people who are experiencing (or have experienced) psychiatric symptoms and/or symptoms of addiction

League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford - with a mental healthcare part to their website.

National Alliance on Mental Illness - CT Chapter - provides support, education and advocacy for thousands of people in recovery, their family members, friends, professionals and the public at large.

Healthcare4every1  - committed to organizing an active, vibrant, and diverse network of concerned citizens in order to build public and political support to achieve universal health care in Connecticut

University of Connecticut Health Center Library  - Free customized research service for Connecticut residents with questions about their health.  Provided by the University of Connecticut Health Center.  Links to recommended health websites and resource guides on on topics such as Navigating the Health Care System, Mental Health Resources, Growing Older, and Patient Advocacy

National Links:

American Geriatrics Society not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals, research scientists, and other concerned individuals dedicated to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people.  

American Psychiatric Association scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States.  

Anxiety Disorders Association of America - dedicated to informing the public, healthcare professionals and legislators that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable.  

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law mission is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities.)

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  - patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses – depression and bipolar disorder.  

Mental Health American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry works to promote an understanding of mental illnesses and remove the stigma associated with them; advance efforts in prevention of mental illnesses, and assure proper treatment and access to services for children and adolescents.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families.

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) dedicated to supporting innovative scientific research to find the causes, better treatments and cures for severe mental illnesses.

National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) mission of ADDA is to provide information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them.

National Institute of Mental Health - online information on different diagnoses and fact sheets, plus up-to-date research information

National Mental Health Association works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.  

National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation  - mission of the OCF is to educate the public and professional communities about OCD and related disorders; to provide assistance to individuals with OCD and related disorders, their family and friends; and to support research into the causes and effective treatments of OCD and related disorders.

Social Security & Disability Resource Center gives explanations and links regarding various Social Security benefits and resources.  

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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services.

 SAMHSA also hasfree publications!