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Covering Mental Health:
A Resource Guide for Reporters and Editors

back to the mental health resource guide contents page.

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL GROUPS

American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association, 700 13th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 * (202) 434-4565, fax (202) 434-4564. E. Clarke Ross, executive director.

Members are companies that manage mental-illness and addiction-disorder health plan benefits for more than 90 million enrollees. Clients include private employers, state and county government employees, Medicaid, CHAMPUS, the military health insurance system for dependents and spouses, and other publicly financed behavioral health services.

American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 * (202) 682-6220, fax (202) 682-6255, Web site: http://www.psych.org. Melissa Saunders Katz, communications, (202) 682-6142.

A scientific and professional organization of clinical and research psychiatrists, this group provides referrals and some free materials and publishes clinical-practice guidelines. Offers a free mental illness awareness guide for the media that includes fact sheets on various mental illnesses.

American Psychological Association, 750 1st street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002-4242 * (202) 336-5700, fax (202) 336-5708, Web site: http://www.apa.org, E-mail: public.affairs@apa.org. Rhea Farberman, associate executive director, public communications, or staff.

A scientific and professional organization of clinical and research psychologists, this group has chapters nationwide and provides referrals and some free materials. Offers an excellent directory of experts to reporters.

American Mental Health Counselors Association, 801 N. Fairfax St., Suite 304, Alexandria, Va. 22314 * (800) 326-2642, fax (703) 548-4775, E-mail: amcha@prodigy.net. Beth Powell, director of public policy and legislation.

This group of about 11,000 members represents a relatively new discipline. Founded in 1971, it has chapters in every state except California. Members must have master's degree or higher in counseling or a related field.

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, 66 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria, Va. 22314 * (703) 739-9333, fax (703) 548-9517, Web site: http://www.nasmhpd.org. Dr. Robert Glover, executive director; Andrea Sheerin, communications (703) 739-9333, ext. 22, E-mail: webmaster@nasmhpd.org

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320, Rockville, Md. 20852 * (301) 984-6200, fax (301) 881-7159, Web site: http://www.nccbh.org. Charles Ray, chief executive officer; Karen Zuckerman, vice-president, kzuckerman@nccbh.org.

 Represents community mental health organizations and focuses on mental health and substance abuse issues, particularly making sure services are available to those in need. Provides public policy information and technical assistance for managed care plans.