SUPPORTIVE ORGANIZATIONS
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation's leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
Youth M.O.V.E National is a national, youth-led organization devoted to improving services and systems that supports positive growth and development by uniting the voices and causes of individuals who have lived experience in various systems. Our work is directed by a passionate, systems-experienced staff; a Board of Directors with young adult representatives comprising a minimum of 60% of the
membership; a National Young Leaders Network; and a network of 70 chapters of young people across 34 states. We advocate for youth rights and voice in mental health and the other systems that serve them, for the purpose of empowering
youth to be equal partners in the process of change and guide the redevelopmentof the youth serving systems with the intent that no youth falls through the crack,and all youth will utilize their power and expertise to foster change in their communities and in their own lives.
The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families. It was conceived in Arlington, Virginia in February, 1989 by a group of 18 people determined to make a difference in the way the system works.
The National Federation works to develop and implement policies, legislation, funding mechanisms, and service systems that utilize the strengths of families. Its emphasis on advocacy offers families a voice in the formation of national policy, services and supports for children with mental health needs and their families.
History of the Consumer Movement
The consumer movement in Maryland began in 1981 when a few consumers in the Baltimore area began meeting in the basement of a church in Catonsville. The group eventually took the name, “On Our Own.” On Our Own is the name of a book written in the late 70′s by Judi Chamberlin, explaining how consumers themselves can create their own network of support groups to provide alternative types of services to the traditional mental health system. One of the main activities of the local On Our Own groups is to provide peer-operated support meetings to the members.
RPM brings all forms of recovery together!
1. Developing training, supervision and internships for volunteer Peer Mentors who will be affiliated with certified treatment programs to offer support and guidance to adults in early recovery;
2. Developing an on-going training and supervision program for Peer Mentors and Peer Support Specialists that expands on the 30-hour Connecticut Community for Recovery Advocacy (CCAR) “Recovery Coach Academy” to include a “Peer Mentor Handbook” and additional modules such as Ethics, System of Care, Substance Abuse 101etc.;
3. Developing a “Center of Excellence” that will offer these Peer Training Institute resources and on-site technical assistance to partner jurisdictions in Maryland with support from the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration; and
4. Building resources for a local Recovery Community Organization with an emphasis on recovery support services that support health, vocational and educational opportunities, and sober housing for people in recovery.