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Mental Health Links - Culture and Ethnicity

Organizations

• Office of Minority Health

  http://www.omhrc.gov/
  OMH helps to ensure that Federal, State, and local health programs take into account the needs of disadvantaged and racial and ethnic populations, including their specific and cultural characteristics.
  
  

• Office of Refugee Resettlement Home Page

  http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/orr/
  ORR advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to refugee resettlement, immigration, and repatriation. ORR plans, develops, and directs implementation of a comprehensive program for domestic refugee and entrant resettlement assistance. This site indexes ORR regulations, information on welfare reform, and Medicaid information.
  
  

• Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS

  http://www.unaids.org/en/default.asp
  Addresses HIV/AIDS issues throughout the world including research. Site is searchable and available in English, Spanish, and French.
  
  

• National GAINS Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System

  http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov/html/resources/publications.asp
  This group collects and disseminates information about effective mental health and substance abuse services for people with co-occurring disorders who come in contact with the justice system.
  
  

• National Hispanic Medical Association

  http://www.nhmamd.org
  The National Hispanic Medical Association addresses the interests and concerns of 26,000 licensed physicians and 1,800 full-time Hispanic medical faculty dedicated to teaching medical and health services research.
  
  

• National Immigration Forum

  http://www.immigrationforum.org/
  The National Immigration Forum advocates and builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and that are fair and supportive to newcomers in the U.S.
  
  

• National Indian Child Welfare Association

  http://www.nicwa.org/
  This is a national group dedicated to the well-being of American Indian children and families. Its goal is for every Indian child to have access to community-based, culturally-appropriate services which help them grow up safe, healthy and spiritually strong – free from abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, and the damaging effects of substance abuse.
  
  

• National Indian Council on Aging

  http://www.nicoa.org
  Formed by a group of tribal chairmen in 1976, the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) serves as a non-profit advocate for the Nation’s (est.) 296,000 American Indian and Alaska Native elders. NICOA strives to better the lives of the Nation's indigenous seniors through advocacy, employment training, dissemination of information, and data support. This site provides information on conferences, publications, policy analysis, and other information that is helpful to indigenous seniors and those who work with them.
  
  

• National Indian Health Board

  http://www.nihb.org/
  Advocates for the highest quality and sufficient quantity of health services for American Indians and Alaskan Natives and to make Native Americans' health status equal with that of other American groups.
  
  

• International Catholic Migration Commission

  http://www.icmc.net/docs/en
  The International Catholic Migration Commission works in the area of forced migration, and serves uprooted people. Responds to the immediate needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and forced migrants, and focuses on the most vulnerable within these populations.
  
  

• National Alliance for Hispanic Health

  http://www.hispanichealth.org
  The National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) is the Nation's oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers. Alliance members deliver quality services to over 12 million persons annually.
  
  

• National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse, Inc.

  http://www.napafasa.org/
  A non-profit membership organization dedicated to addressing the alcohol, tobacco, and other drug issues of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) populations on the continental U.S., Hawaii, the six Pacific Island jurisdictions and elsewhere.
  
  

• National Asian Women's Health Organization

  http://www.nawho.org/
  The National Asian Women's Health Organization is an advocacy movement working to inspire individuals to become active players in the political decision-making that impacted their daily lives.
  
  

• National Association of Black Social Workers

  http://ssw.unc.edu/professional/NABSW.html
  The National Association of Black Social Workers focuses its attention on the accountability of the social welfare system in communities of African ancestry, and the delivery of those services which are reflective of that experience.
  
  

• National Latino Children's Institute

  http://www.nlci.org/
  The National Latino Children’s Institute (NLCI) is the only National Latino organization that focuses exclusively on children. Its mission is to serve as the voice for young Latinos. NLCI staff fulfills this mission by promoting and implementing the National Latino Children’s Agenda.
  
  

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

  http://www.istss.org/
  The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies provides a forum for the sharing of research, clinical strategies, public policy concerns, and theoretical formulations on trauma. It is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge and to the stimulation of policy, program and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences.
  
  

• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

  http://www.lirs.org/
  Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services mobilizes action on behalf of uprooted people to see that they receive fair and equal treatment regardless of national origin, race, religion, culture, or legal status.
  
  

• Migration & Refugee Services, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

  http://www.nccbuscc.org/mrs/refugeeprograms.shtml
  This organization resettles nearly one-fourth of all refugees admitted to the U.S. each year through a concerted effort of program support and assistance to a network of over 100 diocesan refugee resettlement offices, and collaboration with other national resettlement and governmental agencies.
  
  

• Indian Health Service

  http://www.ihs.gov/
  An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  
  

• CrisisWeb

  http://www.crisisweb.org/
  This is the web site of the International Crisis Group, a private, multinational organization committed to strengthening the capacity of the international community to anticipate, understand, and act to prevent and contain conflict. It offers news and reports on unstable situations in various countries around the world.
  
  

• Cross Cultural Health Care Program

  http://www.xculture.org/
  Serves as a bridge between communities and health care institutions to ensure full access to quality health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
  
  

• National Black Child Development Institute

  http://www.nbcdi.org/
  Works to improve and protect the quality of life of African American children and their families. NBCDI’s focus is on early health and education, health, elementary and secondary education, child welfare and parenting.
  
  

• National Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research

  http://www.uchsc.edu/ai/ncaianmhr/ncaiainmhr_index.htm
  This minority mental health research Center is sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and is the only program of this type in the country focusing specifically on American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
  
  

• National Minority AIDS Council

  http://www.nmac.org/
  A national organization dedicated to developing leadership within communities of color to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS.
  
  

• National Native American AIDS Prevention Center

  http://www.nnaapc.org/
  The Center's mission is to stop the spread of HIV and related diseases among American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and to improve the quality of life for Native American communities infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
  
  

• National Research Center on Asian American Mental Health

  http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/nrcaamh/
  A national and multidisciplinary leader in the study of Asian Pacific American mental health research, the Center aims to contribute theoretical and applied research that will have a valuable impact on mental health policy and service delivery to Asian Pacific Americans.
  
  

• Native Elder Health Care Resource Center

  http://www.uchsc.edu/ai/nehcrc/
  The Native Elder Health Care Resource Center is a national resource center for older American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, with special emphasis on culturally competent health care. Located in the School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado.
  
  

• Native Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC)

  http://www.niwhrc.org/
  The National Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC), is a National non-profit organization that assists American Indian and Alaska Native women achieve optimal health and well being throughout their lifetimes.
  
  

• Navajo Family Health Resource Network

  http://www.navajofamilyhealth.org/index.html
  The Navajo Family Health Resource Network (formerly the Navajo Nation Family Planning Corporation) is a non-profit organization committed to serving the health needs of all Native people living within the four sacred mountains of the Navajo Nation. The network promotes traditional values and harmony, while incorporating the latest advances in medicines and public health.
  
  

• National Center for Cultural Competence

  http://www.gucdc.georgetown.edu/nccc/
  Working to increase the capacity of health care and mental health programs to design, implement and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems.
  
  

• Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

  http://www.state.gov/g/prm/
  The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration coordinates U.S. international migration policy within the U.S. Government and through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. The Bureau has responsibility for formulating policies on population, refugees, and migration, and for administering U.S. refugee assistance and admissions programs.
  
  

• Kurdish Human Rights Watch

  http://www.khrw.com/
  The Kurdish Human Rights Watch provides programs and activities related to the displacement of Kurds. It includes refugee, immigrant, and mentoring services.
  
  

• FEMA.gov en Español

  http://www.fema.gov/spanish/
  Agencia Federal para el manajo de emergencias.
  
  

• Carnegie Endowment's International Migration Policy Program

  http://www.ceip.org/files/projects/IMP/IMP_Home.ASP
  The Carnegie Endowment's International Migration Policy Program is a leading source of analysis on migration and refugee issues. It bridges the worlds of research and policy-making and brings an independent voice to U.S. and international policy debates.
  
  

• Asian American Psychological Association

  http://www.aapaonline.org
  This non-profit organization serves psychologists who work in the Asian American communities.
  
  

• Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum

  http://www.apiahf.org
  The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum is a National advocacy organization dedicated to promoting policy, program, and research efforts for improvement of the health of all Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. This site provides information about the forum and health resources for the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
  
  

• Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

  http://www.atask.org
  The mission of the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence is to eliminate family violence and to strengthen Asian families and communities. Founded in 1987, the Task Force represents a group of diverse Asian community leaders concerned about the incidence of domestic violence in Asian communities. On this site you can find their newsletter, a list of events they sponsor, and information on domestic violence in the Asian community.
  
  

• Black Women’s Health Imperative

  http://www.blackwomenshealth.org
  Black Women's Health Imperative, formerly the National Black Women's Health Project, is an African American health education, research, advocacy, and leadership development institution. Founded in 1983 by health activist Byllye Y. Avery, it has promoted the empowerment of African American women, educated health care consumers, and provided a strong voice for the improved health status of African American women.
  
  

• Frontier Mental Health Services Resource Network

  http://wiche.edu/mentalhealth/frontier/index.htm
  The Frontier Mental Health Services Resource Network collects, analyzes, and synthesizes knowledge regarding mental health services in rural areas. Also offers technical assistance to rural agencies and advocates on mental health/substance abuse topics.
  
  

• Hispanic Federation

  http://www.hispanicfederation.org/
  A membership organization of Latino health and human services agencies serving Hispanics in the tri-state region -- New York, New Jersey & Connecticut.
  
  

• National Coalition for Haitian Rights

  http://www.nchr.org/
  The National Coalition for Haitian Rights is a coalition of Haitian religious, labor, and human rights organizations whose aim is to assure that Haitian asylum applicants receive fair hearings in the United States, and to educate the U.S. public about the political and economic causes of the Haitians' flight from their homeland.
  
  

• Center for American Indian Health: The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

  http://ih.jhsph.edu/cnah/
  Involved in research, design and implementation of strategies to raise the health and well being of American Indians to the highest possible level. Works in partnership with tribes.
  
  

• Center for Applied Linguistics

  http://www.cal.org/
  CAL offers hundreds of resources related to language learning and training for K-12, adult and university levels.
  
  

• Center for Cross-Cultural Health

  http://www.crosshealth.com/
  This group is involved in the education and training of health and human service providers and organizations in the State of Minnesota and beyond, and is a research and information resource on integrating culture in improving health.
  
  

• Center for Multicultural Human Services

  http://www.cmhsweb.org/
  The Center for Multicultural Human Services assists mental health workers in meeting the needs of clients who have a culture and/or language barrier to treatment. The Center is dedicated to bridging the gap between diverse client populations and mainstream mental health provider organizations.
  
  

• Center for Refugee Studies

  http://www.yorku.ca/crs/
  The Center conducts research on refugee issues; informs public discussion, policy development and practice innovation by international, governmental, advocacy and service organizations; and supports teaching in refugee and migration studies.
  
  

• Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations

  http://www.aapcho.org/
  A membership organization working to improve the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders within the United States, its territories and freely associated states.
  
  

• Association of Black Psychologists

  http://www.abpsi.org/
  An international resource that address the psychological needs of African people, ABP provides research publications, assessment techniques, and other products for practical solutions to the day-to-day circumstances of people of African decent.
  
  

• Closing the Health Gap

  http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/index.htm
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks are working together to sponsor Closing the Health Gap, a national campaign to bring the best health information to African American communities and help African American consumers take charge of their health.
  
  

• Immigrant & Refugee Mental Health

  http://ww2.mcgill.ca/psychiatry/transcultural/immig.html
  The Immigrant & Refugee Mental Health conducts research on the mental health of ethnocultural communities in Montreal. It is part of the Montreal Center of Excellence in Immigrant Studies, sponsored by Citizenship Canada and the Social Science Research Council of Canada.
  
  

• Immigration and Refugee Services of America

  http://www.refugeesusa.org/
  IRSA provides real, workable solutions, and brings hope and opportunity to the lives of thousands of refugees who are in crisis.
  
  

• Global Diversity Search: Mental Health

  http://www.globaldiversitysearch.net/default.asp?ct=NMCI&q1=mental%20health
  Global Diversity Search was developed by the National Multicultural Institute as a tool for finding articles on topics ranging from multicultural conflict resolution to mental health. The search engine is multilingual, allowing users to access materials in nine languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Hungarian, Swedish, and Turkish.
  
  

• Australia Department of Health and Aging

  http://www.health.gov.au/
  The Australian Department of Health and Aging seeks to provide better health and healthier aging for all Australians.
  
  

• Centros Para el Control y la Prevencion de Enfermedades

  http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/
  La misión de los Centros Para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades es promover la salud y calidad de vida previniendo y controlando enfermedades, accidentes e incapacidades.
  
  

• Refugee Health ~ Immigrant Health

  http://www.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/refugee_health.htm
  This is an online guide for consumers and professionals that includes health information and some excellent summaries of various refugee cultures can be found here.
  
  

• Refugee Studies Centre

  http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/
  The Centre's objectives are to carry out multidisciplinary research and teaching on the causes and consequences of forced migration; to disseminate the results of that research to policy makers and practitioners, as well as within the academic community; and to understand the experience of forced migration from the point of view of the affected populations.
  
  

• Southeast Asian Resource Action Center

  http://www.searac.org/
  The Southeast Asian Resource Action Center facilitates the relocation of Southeast Asian refugees into American society and the development of nonprofit organizations led by and for Southeast Asians.
  
  

• Soy Unica! Soy Latina!

  http://www.soyunica.gov/
  Public education campaign helping Hispanic girls and their mothers build and enhance their self-esteem, mental health, decision-making, and assertiveness skills.
  
  

• Soy Unica! Soy Latina!

  http://www.soyunica.gov/mybody/bodyimage/default.aspx
  Mí cuerpo se trate de aprender a amar y cuidar tu cuerpo-- es el único que tienes. Esto significa saber elegir los alimentos nutritivos, comer bien, y permanecer activa.
  
  

• Support and Training for Elation and Depression in Youth (STEADY)

  http://www.steady.org.uk/
  STEADY is a self management training program for young people with the mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder (manic depression) or extreme mood swings. The Steady training course is open to residents of the British Isles aged 18 to 25 years old. The Steady project is run in the United Kingdom by the Manic Depression Fellowship and is sponsored by The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and Comic Relief.
  
  

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm
  This Web site provides information to introduce you to the new Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It also provides information about various administrative and management functions and responsibilities now within the DHS that were once in the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
  
  

• U.S. Committee for Refugees

  http://www.refugees.org/
  Founded in 1958 to coordinate the United States' participation in the United Nations' International Refugee Year (1959), USCR has since worked for refugee protection and assistance in all regions of the world to defend the rights of all uprooted people regardless of their nationality, race, religion, ideology, or social group.
  
  

• World Health Organization

  http://www.who.int/en/
  Monitors disease outbreaks internationally through The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. WHO definition of HEALTH is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
  
  

• World Relief

  http://www.wr.org/
  The humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. Assists churches as they minister to victims of disaster, poverty, persecution and disease.
  
  

Online Resources

• Jigsaw Classroom

  http://www.jigsaw.org/
  Information about a cooperative learning technique that reduces racial conflict among school children, promotes better learning, improves student motivation, and increases enjoyment of the learning experience. Resources, tips, and links are available.
  
  

• New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Subcommittee on Cultural Competence.

  http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/subcommittee/CulturalCompetence_013103.doc
  Summary Report
  
  

• National Indian Children's Mental Health Initiative

  http://www.nicwa.org/services/techassist/mentalhealth/index.asp
  The Center for Mental Health Services Child, Adolescent and Families Branch initiative to improve access for American Indian children's mental health care.
  
  

• Nation to Nation: Promoting the Safety of Native Women

  http://toolkit.ncjrs.org/files/fullchapter14.pdf
  The National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women developed a Toolkit To End Violence Against Women to guide communities, policy leaders, and individuals engaged in activities to end violence against women. Each chapter of the toolkit focuses on a particular audience or environment and includes recommendations for strengthening prevention efforts and improving services and advocacy for victims. This chapter addresses issues related to Native American women.
  
  

• Karolinska Institute Library, Sweden; Mental Health

  http://www.mic.ki.se/Diseases/f3.html
  The Karolinska Institute Library provides links to publications and web sites related to the behavioral sciences, mental disorders, and general psychology resources.
  
  

• Health Power

  http://www.healthpoweronline.com/
  Health Power is a nationally unique, not-for-profit corporation committed to minority health improvement through: a.) Health Information, b.) Health Promotion, c.) Technical Advice and Assistance to Organizations, and d.) Partnerships and Networking.
  
  

• healthfinder® Español

  http://www.healthfinder.gov/espanol/
  Healthfinder® español contiene fuentes de información seleccionadas en español que le pueden servir de guía para tomar decisiones con relación a su salud.
  
  

• Indian Health Service: Injury Prevention Program

  http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/InjuryPrevention/index.cfm
  The mission of the Indian Health Service’s Injury Prevention Program is to improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives by decreasing the incidence of severe injuries and death and increasing the ability of tribes to address their injury problems. The web site provides information on training programs, symposiums, and contact information for the program headquarters in all 12 HIS areas.
  
  

• National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide - Statistics

  http://www.nopcas.com/stats/
  This web site provides statistics on the amount of people who have committed and attempted suicide. It also lists conferences for suicide survivors.
  
  

• Babelfish Translation

  http://babelfish.altavista.com/
  Este sitio web puede traducir el texto.
  
  

• Cultural Competence Web Site

  http://cecp.air.org/cultural/default.htm
  Cultural competence information, resources, and links to other World Wide Web sites, provided by the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice.
  
  

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

  http://www.aacap.org/publications/apntsFam/index.htm
  AACAP has translated more than 80 of its fact sheets into Spanish. This web site provides a Spanish introduction to the web site and links to each of fact sheets.
  
  

• American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center

  http://www.uchsc.edu/ai/ncaianmhr/pdf_files/11(2).pdf
  This issue describes the program evaluation component of Circle of Care.
  
  

• Community Violence Exacts a High Emotional Toll on Urban Black Children and Adolescents

  http://www.ahcpr.gov/research/oct98/ra2.htm#head6
  A discussion on the link between violent acts and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in urban black children and adolescents who witness or are victims of violence.
  
  

• Al sofa.org

  http://www.alsofa.com/
  Bilingual mental health information web site for consumers and health professionals.
  
  

• Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage

  http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/asianpi/
  This site is provided by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. It provides publications and information on Asian and Pacific Islander health issues and traditions.
  
  

• Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)

  http://preventiontraining.samhsa.gov/CTI05/Cti05ttl.htm
  The Federal government through the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has initiated a Community Partnership Training (CCPT) Project to assist Community Partnership grantees in support of community efforts to reduce and prevent alcohol and other drug abuse. The Native American component of the culturally specific institutes is called the "Gathering of Native Americans" (GONA).
  
  

• ReliefWeb

  http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf
  ReliefWeb is an electronic clearinghouse for those needing timely information on humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters – designed specifically to help the humanitarian community improve its response to emergencies.
  
  

• References on Culture and Ethnicity

  http://www.suicidology.org/associations/1045/files/notable_refs.cfm#culture
  These references, compiled by the American Association of Suicidology, list over thirty articles and books written about the suicide and attempted suicides of minority populations.
  
  

• South Asian Women's NETwork (Sawnet)

  http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/users/sawweb/sawnet/health.html
  Links to some studies extracted mostly from Medline that are of specific concern to health issues that affectSouth Asian women. Some show ethnic differences in incidences of certain medical conditions.
  
  

• Ten Leading Causes of Death: American Indian and Alaskan Native

  http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/osp/indian/indians.htm
  This chart was compiled by the Centers for Disease Control. It illustrates the ten leading causes of death in the American Indian and Alaskan Native community between 1995 and 1997. It is broken down by age group.
  
  

• TESOL

  http://www.tesol.org
  TESOL provides services for non-English speakers.
  
  

• The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza)

  http://www.dvalianza.org/resor/resources.htm
  The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza) is a group of nationally recognized Latina and Latino advocates, community activists, practitioners, researchers, and survivors of domestic violence working together to promote understanding, sustain dialogue, and generate solutions to move toward the elimination of domestic violence affecting Latino communities, with an understanding of the sacredness of all relations and communities.