Consumer/Survivor - Specific Populations, National Mental Health Information Center

Consumer/Survivor Mental Health Information

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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Specific Populations

Co-occurring Disorders
Criminal Justice and Rights
Cultural Competence
Elderly
Rural Issues
Women's Issues

Co-occurring Disorders

Tragically, youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders and their families rarely get the kind of help they need at the time they need it. Services and supports are fragmented, isolated, and rigid. These negative experiences, however, direct us to the changes that are necessary to get better outcomes.

Criminal Justice and Rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities, such as severe mental illness, have legal protection against discrimination in the workplace, housing and residential settings (including treatment facilities such as hospitals), public programs, and telecommunications. In addition, CMHS funds and oversees the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program (PAIMI) that advocates for individuals with mental illnesses. Protection and advocacy services include general information and referrals; investigation of alleged abuse, neglect, and rights violations in facilities; and use of legal, legislative, systemic, and other remedies to correct verified incidents.

How to Help: When a Person with Mental Illness is Arrested -- This handbook, a joint project of the National Alliance for the Mental Ill and the Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project, is designed for anyone concerned about a person with mental illness who is involved in the criminal justice system. Very often when mental health consumers get in trouble with the law, it is a direct result of psychiatric symptoms.
Final Report - Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (from the Center for Mental Health Services)
Involuntary Treatment Meeting Summary (from the Center for Mental Health Services)
Protection and Advocacy Agencies in Your State
Links on Rights, Protection, and Advocacy
Publications on Rights, Protection, and Advocacy

Cultural Competence

In response to the dearth of broad-based, culturally competent care within the behavioral managed care sector, CMHS sought to develop and disseminate cultural competence standards for managed care mental health services to improve the availability of high-quality services for "four underserved/underrepresented racial/ethnic groups" - notably, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and Asian/Pacific Islander Americans.

Elderly

With proper treatment, older adults with disabling mental illnesses can improve their quality of life and remain productive members of the communities in which they live. Older adults are encouraged to participate in activities that challenge them both physically and mentally. New activities, hobbies, and exercise can be effective anti-depressants.

Rural Issues

The lack of parity between urban and rural residents in accessing appropriate mental health and substance abuse services is well documented. CMHS has adopted the mission of addressing this disparity nationally and continues to develop initiatives to enhance and expand access to mental health services for rural and isolated populations.

Women's Issues

The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) supports programs for populations who are at-risk for mental illnesses and lack mental health services, including women. Depression is the number one cause of disability in women.

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