Mental & Behavioral Health

Alcohol Use Disorder Education/Prevention

Programs that provide information about alcohol use disorders (including the symptoms, screening and diagnostic procedures and methods of treatment) and/or which offer any of a variety of services that focus on excessive alcohol use prevention for people of all ages who are at risk. Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of excessive alcohol use, the signs of related disorders, the potential legal consequences of excessive alcohol use and how to get help.

Alcohol Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have or are at risk of an alcohol use disorder. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants overcome their disorder; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups, and groups for anesthetists, pharmacists, psychologists, physicians or other health care professionals who are recovering from an alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol/Drug Impaired Driving Prevention

Organizations that sponsor a variety of educational programs that attempt to discourage adolescents and adults from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs that have an impact on their reflexes or judgment. The objective of the program is to reduce the incidence of accidents caused by drinking/drug-impaired drivers.

Assessment for Substance Use Disorders

Programs that conduct an evaluation to determine whether an individual has a substance use disorder based on a pathological set of behaviors related to use of that substance as well as the nature and extent of the problem. Diagnostic criteria include inability to control or limit the amount taken or the frequency; intense cravings; continuing use despite problems with work, school or family/social obligations or interpersonal problems; risky use, e.g., diving a car or operating machinery while under the influence; or evidence of pharmacological indicators (tolerance and withdrawal symptoms), the adjustment the body makes as it attempts to adapt to the continued and frequent use of a substance.

Comprehensive Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs and need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Detoxification

Programs that provide assistance and support for individuals who are physically dependent on substances of any kind during the withdrawal period. Detoxification is a medical regimen aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal by systematically reducing the amount of the addictive substance in a patient’s body, providing reasonable control of active withdrawal symptoms and/or averting a life-threatening medical crisis related to the substance. Detoxification in generally conducted under the supervision of a physician, can take place in a wide variety of settings and at a number of levels of intensity within these settings and has three stages: evaluation, stabilization and fostering patient readiness for and entry into treatment.

Drug Use Disorder Education/Prevention

Programs that provide information about drug use (including the drugs most commonly used and their effects, the symptoms of related disorders, screening and diagnostic procedures and methods of treatment) and/or offer any of a variety of services that focus on drug use prevention for people of all ages who are at risk (i.e., who are currently in the light or experimental stage of using drugs; who are members of a drug using sibling, peer or family group; and/or who have behavioral and/or emotional problems at home, in school, in the community or with the criminal justice system). Included may be printed materials or videos that address the subject; psycho-educational and skill building activities; structured groups which focus on family dynamics, problem-solving, self-esteem and similar issues; and presentations in schools and agencies and to family groups regarding the dangers of drug use, the signs of related disorders, the legal consequences of drug use and how to get help.

Drug Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have a disorder involving the use of drugs including prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants overcome their disorder; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups, and groups for anesthetists, pharmacists, psychologists, physicians or other health care professionals who are recovering from a drug use disorder.

DUI Offender Programs

Programs that provide mandated educational, treatment and/or other services for individuals who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs including prescription drugs and ordered by the court to seek assistance as part of state efforts to enforce DUI laws. Some DUI offender programs also include families.

Families/Friends of Individuals With a Drug Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are the spouses/partners of people who have or are at risk of a drug use disorder; children of all ages whose parents, guardians or other parent figures are involved in drug use; and/or friends of those individuals. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common and support the recovery of their loved one.

Families/Friends of Individuals With an Alcohol Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are the spouses/partners of people who have or are at risk of an alcohol use disorder; children of all ages whose parents, guardians or other parent figures are involved in excessive alcohol use; and/or friends of those individuals. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common and support the recovery of their loved one.

Gambling Addiction Counseling

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance for people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to gamble, and for their families. Some programs may include a financial counseling and/or management component which helps individuals deal with issues related to their spending and accumulated debt.

Gambling Addiction Helplines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who are concerned about their own gambling or the gambling of a friend or family member which may include short-term emotional support, an opportunity to ask questions and discuss alternatives and referrals to confidential treatment services. Helpline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Gambling Addiction Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to gamble. Families and friends may also be welcome. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants come to terms with their addiction; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

General Addictions/Substance Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have any type of behavioral addiction or a substance use disorder involving alcohol or other drugs. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help those who participate modify their behavior; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities

Health care facilities that provide structured treatment programs and support services in the context of a 24-hour, supervised environment for individuals who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs. Included are hospitals that are totally devoted to treatment for substance use disorders and programs within general inpatient health care facilities.

Medication Information/Management

Programs that conduct a review of the prescription and over-the-counter medication and other substances (e.g., herbal remedies, vitamins and other supplements, illegal drugs) that people are taking, and answer any questions they may have about their medications or their medication regimen. The reviews address a number of issues including appropriate therapeutic uses of particular substances; adverse side effects; interaction/reaction with foods and other drugs; product identification and availability or equivalency; safety when used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or older adults, many of whom may have multiple prescriptions; and outcomes. The objectives of the program are to support the individual's ability to self-administer medications as prescribed and to ensure their safety and well being, particularly in circumstances where their medication regimen is complex.

Needle Exchange/Distribution Programs

Programs that help prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other blood borne infectious diseases by providing new, sterile syringes and other sterile injection supplies to needle users in exchange for used ones; or which sell new hypodermic needles and syringes to high risk individuals who have a prescription or, in jurisdictions where it is permitted, without a prescription.

Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Programs that provide comprehensive treatment services on a residential, outpatient or day treatment basis for pregnant women who have a substance use disorder, women who are parenting children, generally age three or younger, and/or women who have babies who were exposed to drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy. Services may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, HIV testing and counseling, AIDS prevention, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and a wide array of supportive services such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development. The objective of the program is to help these women restructure their lives so that they can handle their parenting responsibilities as well as remain alcohol and/or drug free.

Recovery Homes/Halfway Houses

Community-based, peer-group-oriented, residential facilities that provide food, shelter and recovery services in a supportive, non-drinking, drug-free environment for people who have completed a hospital or residential substance use disorder rehabilitation program and need continued support in a residential setting to sustain their recovery. Services may include case management, relapse prevention counseling, 12-step meetings, educational and vocational planning, recreational activities and assistance in obtaining health, social, vocational and other services available in the community. Residents are expected to abide by house rules which vary from facility to facility. The objective is to help people who are recovering from an alcohol and/or other drug use disorder bridge the gap between intensive treatment and independent sober living.

Relapse Prevention Programs

Programs that provide structured therapy groups or other interventions which help recovering drug and/or excessive alcohol users make the cognitive, behavioral and attitudinal changes that are necessary to prevent them from returning to their previous patterns of use. The program helps participants deal in a very focused way with a wide variety of issues that have an impact on their commitment to sobriety and may include topics like exercise, nutrition, boredom, addictive behavior, looking forward, work and recovery, guilt and shame, the role of 12-step programs, staying busy, truthfulness, trust, repairing relationships, anger management, money management and dealing with feelings.

Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities

Community based residential facilities that provide treatment services in the context of a 24-hour, supervised drug and alcohol-free environment for people who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs

Sharps Disposal Programs

Programs that provide for the collection and safe disposal of "sharps" including syringes, needles with attached tubing, lancets and other materials that have been used by individuals with serious health conditions such as diabetes who manage their care at home. Included are collection boxes and kiosks for used sharps made available to the public by hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, mobile van programs, housing projects, police and fire stations and other community-based organizations; residential pickup services that give people special containers for their used sharps that can be placed at the curbside and picked up trained special waste handlers; and mail back programs that give people special containers that can be filled and mailed to designated facilities for disposal. The objective of these programs is to provide for the proper containment of sharps, and ensure that family members, sanitation workers and other people in the community are protected from potential injury or transmission of blood borne diseases due to needle sticks.

Smoking Addiction Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who wish to recover from their dependence on nicotine and give up cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or other substances containing nicotine. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants come to terms with their addiction; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Smoking/Vaping Cessation

Programs that utilize one or a variety of techniques including aversion therapy, hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure, and individual and/or group therapy or mutual support groups to help people who wish to control their dependence on nicotine and give up regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vaping), cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff or other substances containing nicotine. Included are smoking "quitlines" which provide information and counseling about tobacco use for people who prefer a telephone-based service. While some people tout e-cigarettes as a way to give up smoking regular cigarettes, mounting evidence shows that teens and young adults who use e-cigarettes are far more likely to end up smoking traditional cigarettes one year later.

Smoking/Vaping Cessation Support

Programs that provide support which helps people who have quit smoking and/or vaping sustain their commitment during the period of time following treatment when the urge to smoke or vape is still strong.

Sober Living Homes

Alcohol and other drug-free residences (which may be single family dwellings, duplexes, multiplex apartment buildings or communal residential facilities) for people who are recovering from an alcohol and/or other drug use disorder and need a sober environment in order to sustain an abstinent lifestyle. Residents are free to organize and participate in support group meetings or any other activity that helps them maintain sobriety, but neither the homes nor the residents provide treatment, recovery, detoxification services or other supportive services; and supervision of individual recovery is not provided. Because they provide no services, sober living homes do not require a license but are generally subject to landlord/tenant laws.

Substance Use Disorder Counseling

Programs that provide individual, group or family therapy for individuals who have problems related to the excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs (and/or for their families) to help them better understand the nature of the disorder and support recovery efforts.

Substance Use Disorder Crisis Intervention

Programs that provide in-person immediate response services for people who are in life-threatening situations due to a drug overdose or acute intoxication. Included are 24-hour facilities which have emergency intake capabilities and organizations that have mobile units which allow staff to intervene directly at the scene.

Substance Use Disorder Day Treatment

Programs that provide supervised, structured, full-day daytime activities which may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, a program for family members, relapse prevention services and a continuing care program for individuals who have disorders related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs, need treatment that is more intensive than an outpatient program but do not require 24-hour hospital care, and are currently drug and/or alcohol free. Most participants attend day treatment programs eight hours per day, Monday through Friday with part-day sessions on the weekends (though some programs are available as little as five hours per day or as long as 12 hours per day).

Substance Use Disorder Drop In Programs

Programs based on a harm reduction model that provide a safe and supportive environment which allows individuals who use drugs and/or alcohol to drop in and access multiple related services including group and individual counseling, day beds, showers, clothing, medical care, needle exchanges, sterile injection equipment and overdose prevention training, as well as information and referral, social activities and snacks. The programs may be structured for specific populations such as women or sex trade workers or be open to all.

Substance Use Disorder Hotlines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs or are at risk of a substance use related disorder. Services may include defusing the crisis, ensuring the person's safety and information about alternatives the person may explore to begin recovering. Substance use related hotlines are also typically available to significant others of people who are involved with drugs and/or excessive alcohol use. Hotline staff can generally be reached via the telephone, email, live chat, texting and/or instant message (IM).

Substance Use Disorder Intervention Programs

Programs that work with the families and friends and others who are concerned with the excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs by someone they love with the objective of helping those individuals create a crisis in the life of the person as the first step in helping them to recognize that they have a substance use disorder and accept treatment. The program offers a guided process during which groups of concerned others express their feelings about the effects of the problem on their own lives; develop the strength and objectivity to confront the one they love; plan and rehearse an intervention strategy where the individual is confronted with his or her behavior and the consequences of refusing to seek treatment; confirm a treatment plan including financial arrangements and bed availability; establish a date and time for the intervention; and carry out the intervention with the hope that the person will accept treatment.

Substance Use Disorder Referrals

Programs that link people who are in need of drug and/or alcohol use disorder services with appropriate resources.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted disease, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.

Child Sexual Abuse Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children and youth who are coping with the trauma of child sexual abuse which occurs when an adult, older adolescent or another child threatens, forces or manipulates a child into sexual activity abusing the relationship of power and authority that adults have over children. Sexual abuse includes sexual kissing, touching, fondling a child’s genitals, oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and incest (sexual intercourse between an adult family member and a child or between siblings) as well as behaviors that don’t involve contact such as genital exposure ("flashing"), intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, verbal pressure for sex, and sexual exploitation for purposes of prostitution or pornography. Child sexual abuse can take place within the family by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home by a friend, neighbor, child care provider, teacher or stranger. Separate counseling sessions may be structured for young children who have been victimized and for older children in their teens.

Child/Adolescent Residential Treatment Facilities

Programs that provide a therapeutic living environment in a community-based facility for emotionally disturbed, severely learning disabled, delinquent, pre-delinquent and/or abused children and youth who, because of the severity of their problems, are unable to adjust to other placements but do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Services include crisis stabilization, initial and continuing bio-psychosocial assessment, care management, medication management, therapy and mobilization of family support and community resources in the context of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. Residents often attend on-grounds schools or public special education classes and receive services that are geared to their individual needs and the goal of returning to their own or their foster families.

Early Intervention for Children With Disabilities/Delays

Programs that identify infants, toddlers and in some cases, preschoolers who show evidence of or are at risk for lags in physical development, cognitive development, language and speech development, psychosocial development or self-help skills, and provide or coordinate the delivery of an enrichment program in order to minimize the potential for a developmental delay and to meet their current developmental needs. The program may include early identification activities (child find); a developmental evaluation; a review of family concerns, priorities and resources; meetings with the family to develop an individualized family service plan; service coordination to ensure that the individual and his or her family receive needed services which may include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, health/medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, psychological services including specialized play groups or therapy sessions, counseling, speech and language assistance, special instructional services, transportation, and parenting skills development; and ongoing evaluation of the child's progress and his or her changing enrichment needs. Included are "birth to three" programs and federal, state or local programs that address the needs of slightly older children or children not otherwise eligible for "birth to three" programs.

Early Intervention for Mental Illness

Programs that identify and provide treatment for individuals whose personal condition and social experiences could potentially produce mental, emotional or social dysfunctions with the objective of preventing their development; or which conduct general screening efforts to identify and treat children who have emerging problems to ensure the best possible prognosis.

Conjoint Counseling

Programs that offer therapeutic sessions to help two individuals who are having a problem with their interpersonal relationship identify and resolve their differences and improve their communication. The therapist focuses primarily on their interaction with one another rather than on each person as an individual. Included are couple counseling, sibling counseling, parent/child counseling and other similar groupings.

Marriage Counseling

Programs that provide emotional support, problem solving assistance, and guidance for one or both married or cohabiting partners who are having problems with their relationship and need assistance to identify the root of their difficulty and explore alternative resolutions with the objective of enhancing the relationship for both partners. Counseling may be available in a variety of settings and may include individual or group counseling for one or both of the partners, conjoint counseling and encounter-type experiences for groups of couples who are experiencing marital problems and/or who want to enhance their marriages.

Premarital Counseling

Programs that provide information and guidance for couples who are about to marry to ensure that they understand the responsibilities they will assume and the impact that the marriage contract will have on their personal lives. Included are programs that offer counseling for couples younger than age 18 which may be required by the state as a condition for issuing a marriage license.

Developmental Assessment

Programs that provide a comprehensive, structured evaluation of a child's cognitive/intellectual functioning, language and communication skills, independent living skills, social and emotional development and perceptual/motor functioning in order to identify individuals who show developmental delays, determine the nature and extent of the problem and recommend a course of treatment and care. Developmental assessments are generally offered by a developmental assessment specialist, or a team of professionals that can include a pediatrician, language specialist, audiologist, occupational therapist, child psychologist and child psychiatrist, among others. They involve age-adjusted questions regarding a child's growth, physical movements, behavior, play, and interactions with family members and the rest of the world as well as a series of tests that may include a physical exam, hearing and eye screenings, play observation, and standardized tests that present the child with specific tasks to determine areas of strength and weakness. Developmental assessments are occasionally done for adults. They can also be used to identify individuals who have developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism and neurological impairments, in order to establish eligibility for state and federally funded programs.

Developmental Screening

Programs that offer a procedure that is designed to identify children who should receive more intensive assessment or diagnosis for potential developmental delays. Screening tools can be specific to a disorder (e.g., autism), an area (e.g., cognitive development, language, or gross motor skills), or they may be general, encompassing multiple areas of concern; and rely heavily on parent observation. They do not provide conclusive evidence of developmental delays and do not result in diagnoses. A positive screening result should be followed by a thorough assessment. The goal of developmental screening is to allow for earlier detection of delays in order to improve child health and well-being for identified children.

After Hours Crisis Drop In Programs

Programs that provide access to crisis intervention and support services on a drop-in basis for people who are experiencing acute emotional distress during night and weekend hours when other resources are unavailable. Services may include a needs assessment; brief individual, group and family counseling; referrals; and a range of other secondary services depending on the situation. These programs may target homeless and at-risk youth; students; families experiencing an emergency; people who are in crisis due to health, mental health or drug/alcohol issues; or other groups with urgent concerns. Many work closely with police and emergency health services as well as other organizations that provide crisis response assistance; and serve as an after-hours alternative to hospitalization or treatment in a residential setting.

In Person Crisis Intervention

Programs that provide an opportunity for people who are emotionally distressed and/or for their significant others to meet face-to-face with someone who has been trained to assess and resolve the immediate crisis, if possible, and to link the person with appropriate resources for ongoing assistance.

Involuntary Psychiatric Intervention

Programs that provide a mechanism for mobile emergency response in situations where an individual's mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and the person is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. The program conducts an immediate assessment of the psychological condition and functioning of the individual and can issue an order which authorizes involuntary hospitalization for a specified period of time for the purposes of observation and treatment. A request for intervention can be made by family members, community residents and/or community agencies.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted disease, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.

Child Guidance

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children from infancy to age 12 who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbances, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness.

Family Counseling

Programs that offer therapeutic sessions that focus on the system of relationships and communication patterns among family members and which attempt to modify those relationships and patterns to achieve greater harmony. The therapist focuses on the family as a unit rather than concentrating on one of the members who is singled out as the person in need of treatment.

Family Counseling Agencies

Outpatient facilities that offer a variety of counseling services for individuals, couples, families and extended family groups who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, widowhood, loss of a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse.

Parent Child Interactive Therapy

Programs that offer PCIT, a behavior management program that helps parents learn new ways to eliminate destructive behaviors in young children such as physical aggression, swearing, defiance, and disrespect to adults. PCIT places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship by changing parent-child interaction patterns. It combines one-on-one coaching for parents by a trained PCIT therapist using structured child-parent play activities. The therapist uses a two-way mirror to watch the family interact and provides continual, real-time feedback, directions and encouragement through a hearing-aid-size radio receiver worn by the parent. Parents are first taught how to give praise for positive behavior and, when the parent and child have mastered the skills and the relationship has improved, move to the second phase of the process where discipline is introduced for negative behaviors.

Bereaved Child Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are children and youth who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or other relative and need the emotional support of the group to alleviate feelings of isolation and a sense of responsibility for the loss. The groups may meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet.

Bereaved Parent Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are parents who have experienced the loss of a child due to a miscarriage or stillbirth, or through illness or accident in infancy, during childhood or later in life. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together. Included are groups for parents who have lost a child to sudden infant death syndrome, or whose children have been murdered.

Bereavement and Grief Counseling

Programs that provide emotional support, problem-solving assistance, information and guidance for people who have recently experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation. Included are counseling programs for widows and widowers, children who have lost a parent, parents who have lost a child and people who are in other similar situations.

General Bereavement and Grief Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; are open to anyone who has had a loss rather than structured for people with particular types of losses; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together.

Group Counseling

Programs that offer therapist-facilitated collective treatment sessions in which unrelated groups of individuals, couples or families discuss their attitudes, feelings and problems and, with input from other members of the group, attempt to achieve greater self and interpersonal understanding and adjustment and explore solutions to their problems.

Peer Counseling

Programs that offer individual therapeutic sessions which are facilitated or guided by an individual who is the same age as the client (an age-peer) or who has experienced and resolved the same type of problem as the client.

Individual Counseling

Programs that offer personal therapeutic sessions in which the therapist works on a one-to-one basis with clients to help them resolve their mental, emotional or social problems.

Adult Residential Treatment Facilities

Programs that provide a treatment-oriented living experience in a community-based facility for adults who have emotional disturbances and who, because of their disabilities, are unable to succeed in other placements, but who do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The service is geared to the specific needs of individual residents and their eventual return to the community as soon as their personal and social adjustment and development permit.

Child/Adolescent Residential Treatment Facilities

Programs that provide a therapeutic living environment in a community-based facility for emotionally disturbed, severely learning disabled, delinquent, pre-delinquent and/or abused children and youth who, because of the severity of their problems, are unable to adjust to other placements but do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Services include crisis stabilization, initial and continuing bio-psychosocial assessment, care management, medication management, therapy and mobilization of family support and community resources in the context of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. Residents often attend on-grounds schools or public special education classes and receive services that are geared to their individual needs and the goal of returning to their own or their foster families.

Crisis Residential Treatment

Programs that provide a short-term residential alternative to inpatient hospitalization for adults and/or children who are experiencing a mental health crisis and require 24-hour support in a supervised environment to become stabilized, but do not exhibit medical complications that necessitate nursing care.

Inpatient Mental Health Facilities

Hospital-based programs that provide diagnostic and treatment services for individuals who have acute psychiatric disorders, who require hospitalization on a voluntary or involuntary basis for maximum benefit, and who might be a threat to themselves, to their families or to others if left in the community or placed in a less restrictive treatment setting. The objective of inpatient mental health programs is to stabilize and then return the individual to the community for ongoing treatment as quickly as possible, and to facilitate the transition by preparing the individual's family to cope with the limitations imposed by the illness and by arranging for other supportive services as required. Included are psychiatric hospitals, health care hospitals that have psychiatric units and state hospitals for people who are mentally disordered.

Mental Health Information/Education

Programs that provide information through a variety of channels that improves the public's understanding of mental health and mental illness; the nature, etiology, diagnosis and treatment or management of specific mental disorders; and strategies for reducing the incidence of problems where possible. Mental health education programs help people make informed decisions about matters that affect their personal mental health and that of others. They inform the public of the risk factors and signs of mental health problems, encourage people to take advantage of early detection programs, help people modify behaviors that compromise their own mental health and provide support for family members and friends who are coping with mental illness or other mental health issues that have affected a loved one.

Anger Management

Programs that provide educational and/or therapeutic opportunities for people who are interested in or who need to learn how to deal with their anger in a positive, functional way. Participants may include people who internalize their anger as well as those who act it out verbally or in behavior toward friends, family, children, employers or other people in their lives. Included are court-ordered and voluntary programs for people who are involved in domestic violence or child abuse as well as general workshops for people who are uncomfortable with the way they express their anger.

Community Mental Health Agencies

Community-based outpatient facilities that offer individual, group, conjoint and family counseling, therapy groups, medication and other mental health services for community residents, especially those who are indigent, who have acute or chronic psychiatric disorders or who may be experiencing difficulty resolving personal or interpersonal conflicts or making personal adjustments to stressful life situations such as separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or a child, poor health, unemployment, family violence, delinquency or substance abuse. Included may be city and county-operated and nonprofit facilities.

Home Based Mental Health Services

Programs that provide clinical therapeutic services, medication, daily living skills assistance and other mental health services for people who are unable to leave their homes because of the severity of their mental or emotional disturbance or the disabling effects of complicating medical conditions; for families with children experiencing a crisis that is so severe that the child is at imminent risk for hospitalization or placement in a residential treatment facility; or for people for whom home-based services are the most appropriate option.

Mental Health Drop In Centers

Programs that provide an alternative, nonresidential environment for people who have mental, emotional or social problems and which may offer recreational activities, socialization, individual or group counseling, mutual support group meetings, information and referral or other similar services. Included are centers that are staffed by consumers of psychiatric services as well as centers that are managed by professional staff.

Psychiatric Day Treatment

Programs that provide a therapeutic environment for individuals who have acute or chronic mental or emotional disturbances, who do not require full-time hospital care but who can benefit from a structured environment for some portion of the day or week. Services may include individual, group and/or family therapy; social and recreational activities; and a range of adjunctive therapies. Psychiatric day treatment programs may be offered by freestanding day treatment facilities, by psychiatric hospitals or by psychiatric units in general acute care hospitals.

Psychiatric Medication Services

Programs that prescribe antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, antimaniacs, sedatives and antipsychotic/neuroleptic medications to control symptoms such as delusions, extreme agitation, panic attacks, manic or depressive episodes, hallucinations or paranoia that are associated with specific forms of mental illness. Services may include a psychiatric evaluation to determine the need for medication; prescription of an appropriate drug; and periodic follow-up to monitor the effectiveness of the medication in modifying the individual's behavior, ensure that undesirable side effects are minimized and verify that medication is, in fact, being taken as prescribed.

Therapy Referrals

Programs that link people who are in need of counseling services with private therapists who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.

Transitional Mental Health Services

Programs that provide services that facilitate the return to the community of people who have been hospitalized for treatment of acute or chronic mental or emotional disturbances.

Mental Health Information/Education

Programs that provide information through a variety of channels that improves the public's understanding of mental health and mental illness; the nature, etiology, diagnosis and treatment or management of specific mental disorders; and strategies for reducing the incidence of problems where possible. Mental health education programs help people make informed decisions about matters that affect their personal mental health and that of others. They inform the public of the risk factors and signs of mental health problems, encourage people to take advantage of early detection programs, help people modify behaviors that compromise their own mental health and provide support for family members and friends who are coping with mental illness or other mental health issues that have affected a loved one.

Co-Occurring Disorders Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have a diagnosed mental illness which interferes with their functioning in a substantial way in combination with a substance use disorder involving alcohol and/or other drugs which aggravates their ability to become stabilized or recover. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants stop using drugs and/or alcohol and find ways to manage their emotional or psychiatric problems; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Domestic Violence Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have been involved in physical or emotional abuse by a spouse or other partner. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources for those who participate; and may be structured for victims of domestic violence, those responsible for battering them, or for adults or adolescents who as children were traumatized by witnessing violence in their homes.

Gambling Addiction Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsion to gamble. Families and friends may also be welcome. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants come to terms with their addiction; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

General Addictions/Substance Use Disorder Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have any type of behavioral addiction or a substance use disorder involving alcohol or other drugs. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help those who participate modify their behavior; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Hoarding Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have difficulty controlling their compulsion to acquire possessions which clutter their living space creating a squalid environment, sometimes blocking exits, creating a fire hazard and putting them at risk for eviction. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet, and provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants discard items they do not need, organize the possessions they wish to keep and, in general, bring order to their lives.

Immigrant/Refugee Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are immigrants, refugees, temporary workers and other newcomers. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes to solve the problems they have in common and to address the cultural transition and quality of life issues that affect them all.

Sexual Assault/Incest Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have been sexually assaulted or have experienced incest as a child, their spouses or partners, other family members and friends. The groups provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants recover from their ordeal and may be structured specifically for male and female sexual assault survivors; individuals who have been sexually abused by physicians, therapists, religious authority figures or other trusted individuals; or male and/or female adults and teens who experienced incest or were sexually exploited as children. Groups may also be offered for perpetrators of sexual assault, child molestation or other sex crimes. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Sexual/Love Addiction Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are people who are having difficulty controlling their compulsive sexual behavior and/or emotional attachments, and spouses, partners or other family members who are involved in relationships with individuals exhibiting this type of behavior. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources to help participants avoid destructive sexual behavior and achieve sexual sobriety; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Veteran Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members were previously affiliated with one of the branches of the armed forces, their families and friends. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; may focus on former prisoners of war, veterans of specific wars, e.g., the Gulf War, women who are veterans or other specific veteran populations; and allow participants to share their experience, strengths and hopes and put their lives back together if they have been troubled by homelessness, disability, substance abuse, depression or other issues related to their service to the country.

Weight Related Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals who have a problem with compulsive eating, who eat the wrong foods or are people who are overweight and are using the group to develop self-esteem and self-confidence, and accept themselves as they are. Also included are groups that are structured specifically for or accept people who have a diagnosed eating disorder. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; provide emotional support, information and resources for those who participate; offer weight loss or weight gain support only, no special diets; and may include faith-based and secular 12-step groups as well as non-12 step groups.

Women's Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are women who want an opportunity to share their issues and concerns with other women in a safe, supportive environment. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Mental Health Crisis Lines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for people experiencing a mental health crisis such as a psychotic episode with the objective of defusing the crisis, often working closely with mobile crisis teams on standby, and helping the person develop a plan to link with resources for ongoing assistance, if required. A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which an individual exhibits extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, is considering harm to him or herself or others, is disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed. Other common indicators include feelings of intense sadness or depression, sleeping or eating problems, anxiety, severe distress, grief, anger or aggression, scattered, unfocused thinking, self-doubt, loss of motivation, lack of patience or irritability and paranoia. The service is generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Talklines/Warmlines

Programs that offer a telephone service that enables people who are troubled to talk confidentially about their personal problems with an empathetic listener. These programs are often staffed by volunteers who can offer referrals for ongoing treatment, if needed.

Therapy Referrals

Programs that link people who are in need of counseling services with private therapists who are qualified in the desired area of specialization.