CALIFORNIA
Self-Help Connection (San Diego County) Provides information and referral to over 600 free or low cost support groups in San Diego County. Literature for persons who are interested in starting and maintaining support groups. Publishes yearly Directory. Write: Self-Help Connection, c/o Mental Health America, San Diego County, 4069 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104. Call 619-543-0412; Fax:619-543-0748. Website: http://www.mhasd.org E-mail: pbeers@mhasd.org
SHARE! (The Self-Help And Recovery Exchange) * Serves the Los Angeles area. Provides information and referrals to self-help groups in Los Angeles county. Technical assistance for new and ongoing self-help group meetings. Provides meeting space for groups. Verification of self-help meeting attendance for court or other purposes. Collaborative housing program. Director: Ruth Hollman. Write: SHARE!, 6666 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA 90230-7068. Call 1-877-742-7349 or 310-305-8878 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm PT; 24 hour voice mail with information on the most requested groups). Website: http://www.shareselfhelp.org E-mail: ruth@shareselfhelp.org
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Self-Help Support Network * Founded 1981. Information and referrals to support groups. Provides technical assistance in starting and maintaining groups. Group leadership training, educational workshops & conferences. Publishes directory of self-help groups, newsletter, and other publications. Write: Connecticut Self-Help Support Network, c/o Elaine Horn, The Consultation Center, 389 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT 06511. Call 203-624-6982; Fax: 203-562-6355. E-mail: info@theconsultationcenter.org (attention: self-help) Website: http://www.theconsultationcenter.org
ILLINOIS
Self-Help Center * Serves Champaign and surrounding Counties. Founded 1988. Information and referral to local support groups. Provides assistance in starting support groups, training workshops, directory, moderate listserve, specialized group listings, newsletter, consultation to existing groups, and library of self-help literature. Also offers self-help group development course through University of Illinois. Write: Self-Help Center, c/o Family Service, 405 S. State St., Champaign, IL 61820-5196. Call 217-352-0099; Fax: 217-352-9512; E-mail: sdorsey@familysericecc.org Website: http://www.selfhelp.famservcc.org
KANSAS
Wichita State University Center for Community Support & Research * Provides information and referral to self-help groups. Offers technical assistance and consultation to existing groups or persons interested in starting groups. Community education, training workshops, conferences on self-help and self-help group leader handbook. Conducts research. Note: This organization no longer publishes a directory. Write: Wichita State University Center for Community Support and Research, P.O. Box 201, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260. Call 1-800-445-0116 (in KS) or 316-978-3843; Fax: 316-978-3593. E-mail: ccsr@wichita.edu Website: http://www.ccsr.wichita.edu
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Self-Help Information Services Founded 1964. * Offers assistance to new and existing groups. Answers phones for fledgling groups. Call 402-476-9778. WRITE: Ms. Paige Namuth, Antler's Center, 2501 South St., Lincoln, NE 68502-3050
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse * Provides information and referrals to over 4,500 self-help support groups statewide. Offers free help to those seeking to start new groups. Assists existing groups in need of help. Various workshops, conferences offered. Publishes comprehensive directory of support groups. Maintains library of self-help group development guides and literature. Write: New Jersey Self-Help Clearinghouse, 375 E. McFarlan St., Dover, NJ 07801-3638. Call 1-800-367-6274 (in NJ) or 973-989-1122; Fax: 973-989-1159. E-mail: njshc@cybernex.net Website: http://www.njgroups.org
NEW YORK
New York City Self-Help Center * Information and referrals to support groups in the five boroughs (Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn). Receives updated information on support groups and provides assistance to new and developing groups. Write: NYC Self-Help Center, c/o Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, 135 W. 50th St. 5th Floor, New York, NY 10020-1201. Call 212-586-5770 (Mon.-Thurs. - only open part-time). Fax: 212-399-2475.
Westchester Self-Help Clearinghouse * Founded 1979. A central resource for mutual support groups. Provides information and referral to mutual support groups in Westchester county. Assists in the formation of new groups. Provides community education and publishes a directory of self-help groups. Phone networks for newly separated women and newly widowed men and women. Director Lenore Rosenbaum, MS. Write: Westchester Self-Help Clearinghouse, 845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY, 10603. Call 914-761-0600 ext. 308; Fax 914-761-5859. E-mail: lrosenbaum@wjcs.com
Niagara Self-Help Clearinghouse (Niagara County). Founded 1985. Information & referrals to local support groups. Provides technical assistance to new groups. Networks with other community resources. Helps with new group development and holds group leader training. Directory of self-help groups, mental health video/book library. Write: Niagara Self-Help Clearinghouse, c/o MHA in Niagara County, 36 Pine St., Lockport, NY 14094. Call 716-433-3780 ext 12; Fax: 716-433-3847. Website: http://www.mhanc.com
The Self-Help Clearinghouse (Rockland County) Information and referral concerning self-help groups. Provides consultation and assistance to new groups that are forming. Publishes newsletter, self-help group directory ($3). Offers assistance starting support groups. Write: Write: Jennifer Conforto, Self-Help Clearinghouse, MHA of Rockland County, Inc., 706 Executive Blvd., Suite F, Valley Cottage, NY 10989. Call 845-267-2172 ext. 422; Fax: 845-267-2169. E-mail: hyattm@mharockland.org Website: http://www.mharockland.org
Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe County. Provides information and referrals to all local support groups. Assistance in starting new groups, training workshops and how-to materials. Directory of local groups published online. Write: Mental Health Association, 320 North Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14607. Call Cindi Licata 585-325-3145 ext. 113; Fax: 585-325-3188. Website: http://www.mharochester.org
NORTH CAROLINA
SupportWorks. Helps callers in or near Charlotte, North Carolina to find and form mutual help support groups that meet in person or by phone. Provides assistance in finding other related sources. Call 704-331-9500. Website: http://www.supportworks.org E-mail: director@supportworks.org
OHIO
Mental Health Association (Greater Cincinnati and northern KY) * Founded 2000. Provides referrals to local self-help groups and provides website listing of groups. Offers help to groups. Contact person: Vicky Thatcher. Write: Mental Health Association, 2400 Reading Rd., Suite 136, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Call 513-721-2910 or 1-877-361-4518. E-mail: mha@mhaswoh.org Website: http://www.mhaswoh.org
PENNSYLVANIA
Self-Help Information Network Exchange (SHINE) (Serves Lackawanna County) Provides information and referral to support groups in northeastern Pennsylvania. Sponsors workshops and special events for self-help advocates. Brochure. Community resource library. Write: SHINE, 538 Spruce St., Suite 420, Scranton, PA 18503. Call 570-961-1234 (24 hrs); Admin: 570-347-5616; Fax: 570-341-5816. Website: http://www.vacnepa.org
TEXAS
Texas Self-Help Information and Education Service * Provides information and education to local self-help groups and agencies statewide. Consultation to persons interested in starting new groups. Publishes technical manual for starting support groups and other manuals. Write: Texas Self-Help and Education Service, 1210 San Antonio St., Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701. Call 512-454-3706; Fax: 512-454-3725. Website: http://www.mhatexas.org
NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSES
American Self-Help Clearinghouse * Maintains database of national self-help headquarters and model one-of-a-kind groups. Referrals to self-help clearinghouses nationwide. Offers assistance to persons interested in starting new groups. Program Administrator: Ed Madara. Write: American Self-Help Clearinghouse, 375 E. McFarlan St., Dover, NJ 07801-3638. Call: 973-989-1122; Fax: 973-989-1159. E-mail: ashc@cybernex.net Website: http://www.selfhelpgroups.org
AUSTRALIA
Collective of Self Help Groups (Victoria) A network of self help and social action groups. Publishes statewide directory of groups. Phone inquiries are taken Wed. and Thurs., 10am-3pm. Assistance offered to start support groups. Write: Collective of Self Help Groups, Ross House, Lvl 3.6, 247 Flanders Lane, Melbourne, Australia 3000. Call (61 3) 9349-2301. Website: http://www.coshg.org.au E-mail: info@coshg.org.au
ConnectGroups - Support Groups Association W.A. Inc. (Western Australia; formerly Western Institute of Self Help - WISH) Supports self-help groups and identifies new groups. Guidelines to help start groups available. Write: ConnectGroups - Support Groups Association WA Inc., P.O. Box 8140, Perth Business Centre, Western Australia 6849. Call +61 08-9228-4488; Fax: +61 08-9228-4490. E-mail: info@connectgroups.org.au Website: http://www.connectgroups.org.au
Self-Help Queensland, Inc Queensland. Founded 1983. Provides information on local self-help groups. Helps persons to start and maintain groups. Write: Self-Help Queensland, Inc. P.O. Box 353, Sunnybank, Queensland, Australia 4109. Call: 07-3344-6919. E-mail: selfhelp@gil.com.au Website: http://www.selfhelpqld.org.au
BELGIUM
Trefpunt Zelfhulp (Flanders/Belgium) Information and referrals to Flemish and local self-help groups. Helps new and existing groups. Education, crisis intervention, legal advice, advocacy. Publications, research. Write: Trefpunt Zelfhulp vzw, Van Evenstraat 2c, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Call +32 16 - 23 65 07 or + 32 16 - 32 31 58; Fax: +32 16 - 32 30 52. E-mail: trefpunt.zelfhulp@soc.kuleuven.ac.be Website: http://www.zelfhulp.be
CANADA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
PeerNetBC * A registered, charitable organization dedicated to promoting peer support approaches that build the capacity of individuals and communities to become healthy, responsive, and self-determining. Provides capacity-building facilitation workshops, consultations, information and referral, outreach and community development, bi-annual "Directory of Self Help and Peer Support Groups in the Lower Mainland," central resource centre, and the Kinex Youth Initiative. Write: SHRA, 303-411 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 1X4, Canada. Call 604-733-6186; Fax: 604-730-1015. E-mail: info@PeerNetBC.com Website: http://www.PeerNetBC.com
MONTREAL
Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montreal * (Montreal) Founded 1956. Referrals to local self-help groups. Assistance to new and existing groups. Publishes directory of self-help groups. Write: Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montral, 3155 Hochelaga St., Suite 101, Montreal H1W 1G4, Quebec, Canada. Call 514-527-1375; Fax: 514-527-9712. E-mail: crgm@info-reference.qc.ca Website: http://www.info-reference.qc.ca
NEW BRUNSWICK
Community Information Centre * (New Brunswick) Provides information and referrals on community services. Publishes a variety of human service directories. Write: Community Information Line, c/o Human Development Council, Box 6125 Station A, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4R6 Canada. Call 506-633-4636. Website: http://humandevelopmentcouncil.nb.ca (to find support group listing on website: from the website home page click "community info" tab on top of page; next click "search our online community services database"; then type in "support groups" in the "find" search box) or http://nbinfo.ca
NOVA SCOTIA
The Self-Help Connection (Nova Scotia) Referrals to provincial self-help groups. Assistance to new and existing groups. Publishes directory of local self-help groups. Write: The Self-Help Connection, 63 King St., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2R7, Canada. Call 1-866-765-6639 or 902-466-2011; Fax: 902-404-3205. E-mail: selfhelp@eastlink.ca Website: http://www.selfhelpconnection.ca
ONTARIO
Self-Help Resource Center * (Greater Toronto area) Founded 1987. Referrals to local self-help groups. Assistance to start new and also helps existing groups. Directory of self-help groups. Information on Ontario and national self-help organizations and special projects. Write: Self-Help Resource Center, 40 St. Clair Ave., Suite 307, Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M9 Canada. Call 416-487-4355 (Toronto area) or 1-888-283-8806 (in Ontario outside Toronto); Fax: 416-487-0344; E-mail: oshnet@selfhelp.on.ca Website: http://wwww.selfhelp.on.ca
CMHA Barrie-Simcoe * Founded 1960. Offers referrals to support groups in the Barrie-Simcoe local area. Offers assistance to new and existing groups. Write: CMHA, 39 High St., Barrie, Ontario L4N 1W2 Canada. Call 800-461-4319. E-mail: info@cmha-mhassc.ca Website: http:// www.cmha-mhassc.ca
The Self-Help Connection * (Dartmouth) Referrals to provincial self-help groups. Assistance to new and existing groups. Publishes directory of local self-help groups. Write: The Self-Help Connection, 63 King St., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2R7, Canada. Call 1-866-765-6639 or 902-404-7800; Fax: 902-404-3205. Website: http://www.selfhelpconnection.ca E-mail: selfhelp@eastlink.ca
CMHA Grand River Branch * Provides referrals to local self-help groups. Provides assistance to new and existing groups. Publishes directory of self-help groups. Write: CMHA Grand River Branch, Centre for Mental Health, 5420 Hwy 6N, RR5, Guelph, ON, Canada N1H 6J2. Call 519-766-4450. E-mail: admin@cmhawdb.on.ca Website: http://www.cmhagrb.on.ca
CMHA London-Middlesex Branch * Referrals to local self-help groups. Assistance to new and existing groups. Write: CMHA London-Middlesex Branch, 648 Huron St., London, Ontario N5Y 4J8 Canada. Call 519-434-9191; Fax: 519-438-1167. E-mail: mailbox@london.cmha.ca Website: http://www.london.cmha.ca
CMHA Durham Region * Referrals to local self-help groups. Assistance to new and existing groups. Publishes directory of self-help groups. Provides self-help group start up kits. Write: CMHA Durham Region, 60 Bond St. West, Oshawa, Ontario L1G 1A5 Canada. Call 905-436-8760; Fax: 905-436-1569. E-mail: cmha@cmhadurham.org Website: http://www.durham.cmha.ca
Community Network Support Team * (Owen Sound) Provides information, education and assistance in the development of local mental health self help and support groups. Maintains lending library of mental health books and videos. Operates "Family Support Initiative" and "Consumer/Survivor Development Project" as well as database of mental health and addiction programs. Write: Community Network Support Team, 1101 Second Ave. East, Suite 205, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2J1 Canada. Call 519-371-4551; Fax: 519-371-6138. E-mail: cnst@gbchc.org Website: http://www.mhagb.ca
Oxford Self-Help Network * (Oxford County) Referrals to local mental health self-help groups. Publishes directory of resources and other self-help organizations throughout province. Lending library. Write: Oxford County Self-Help Network, 554 Princess St., Woodstock, Ontario N4S 4H1 Canada. Call 1-877-464-3571 or 519-421-2980; Fax: 519-421-0826. Website: http://www.ocl.net/projects/selfhelp/
ENGLAND
Self Help UK * Online searchable database containing details of over 1,000 self help organizations, patient support groups and charities across the UK that provide resources for patients, caregivers and their relatives. Website: http://www.self-help.org.uk/directory
Self Help Nottingham * National. Founded 1982. Offers support, training, advice and practical services to self-help support groups in Nottinghamshire, England. Information is available on groups throughout Nottinghamshire as well as local and national support organizations. Publications include an annual Directory of Self-Help Support Groups. A website listing of groups is provided as well. Write: Self-Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham St., Nottingham NG1 2EG, United Kingdom. Call outside UK: +44 115 911 1661;inside UK: 0115 911 1661, 9am-1pm GMT. Website: http://www.selfhelp.org.uk E-mail: shn@selfhelp.org.uk
Contact-A-Family * International. Founded 1975. Limited to illnesses/disabilities. Provides help and advice to families of children and young people up to the age of 19 with illnesses or disabilities. Provides information only to adults affected by rare specific disorders. Maintains online data base of rare disorders. Networks people with similar disabilities. Write: Contact-A-Family, 209-211 City Rd., London, EC1V 1JN, UK. Call: +44 0 20 7608 8700 (main office) or +44 0808 808 3555 (helpline for families); Fax: +44 (0) 7608 8701. E-mail: helpline@cafamily.org.uk Website: http://www.cafamily.org.uk
GERMANY
NAKOS * (Nationale Kontakt und Informationsstelle zur Anregung und Unterstuetzung von Selbsthilfegruppen) Founded 1984. National. 370+ federal support organizations, 290+ local Self-Help Clearinghouses. Clearinghouse - distributes information on support groups. Assists new groups in starting. Specialized publications and directory. Literature on starting and maintaining groups. Write: Wilmersdorfer Str. 39, D-10627 Berlin, Germany. Call +030 31 01 89 60; Fax: +030 31 01 89 70. Website: http://www.nakos.de E-mail: selbsthilfe@nakos.de
GREECE
Self-Help Promoting Program (National) Founded 2001. Provides information on self-help groups throughout Greece. Promotes self-help in coping with addiction to psychoactive substances and other psychosocial problems. Trains health workers in support of citizens' initiatives. Conducts research into the applications of self-help in dealing with psychosocial problems. Write: Self-Help Promoting Program, 10 Mitropoleos Str. (3rd and 4th Floor), 54625, Thessaloniki, Greece. Call 32-310-500-477-8; Fax: 32-310-500-478. E-mail: selfhelp@auth.gr Website: http://www.auth.gr/selfhelp or http://www.selfhelp.gr
JAPAN
STIALISH Self-help Clearinghouse Miyazaki * Provides information on self-help groups and basic manual in starting self-help groups (available in English). Write: STIALISH Self-Help Clearinghouse Miyazaki, c/o Volunteer Center, 22, Haramachi 2-Chome, Miyazaki City, 8808505, Japan. Call +6-6352-0430 (1st and 3rd Sat. between 14:00-18:00). +81-90-7394-2320 (1st and 3rd Wed. between 18:00-21:00 except National holidays). E-mail: mshc-stialish@pokopon.jp
Hyogo Self-Help Support Center * Provides information on self-help groups in the Hyogo area. Write: 1-8-22-101 Minamimachi Fukae, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo, Japan. Call: +81-78-452-3082.E-mail: hyogosh@titan.ocn.ne.jp Website: http://hyogo-self-help.main.jp/
Osaka Self-Help Support Center * Provides information on local self-help groups. Director: Hiroyuki Matsuda. Call +81-6-6352-0430; Fax: +81-72-254-9781. Write: Osaka Self-Help Support Center, c/o Osaka Volunteer Association, 1-5-27, Doshin, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0035 Japan. E-mail: matsuda@sw.osakafu-u.ac.jp
MEXICO
Fraternidad de Grupos de Auotoayuda y Ayuda Mutua. Founded 2004. Offers phone, e-mail and in-person help to those wishing to start a group, as well as for existing self-help groups. Website includes a 2000+ Spanish language self-help group and association database and extensive information on starting a group; resources for existing groups; illustrative metaphors; specialized articles; resources for professionals and more. The "Group Fraternity" offers training courses for professionals and can design and lead institutional self-help group promotion projects. One of its directives is to help professionals and government agencies better understand self-help groups. Another is to aid research, so academics and students interested in the field are welcome. Write: Fraternidad de Grupos de Autoayuda y Ayda Mutua, Apartado Postal 210, Coyoacan, DF, 04331, Mexico. Call (+52) (55) 5689 6659. Website: http://www.ayudamutua.org E-mail: info@ayudamutua.org
NORWAY
National Resource Center for Self-Help, Norway * National. Program providing information on developing support for and studies of self-help groups. Write: Kirkeveien 61, 0364 Oslo, Norway. Call +47 23 33 19 00 or +47 22 96 15 40; Fax: +47 23 33 19 02 or +47 90 88 10 67. Website: http://www.selvhjelp.no or http://www.norskselvhjelpsforum.no or http://www.linkoslo.no E-mail: post@selvhjelp.no or post@norskselvhjelpsforum.no or post@linkoslo.no
SWEDEN
Fenix Sjalvhjalpscenter * Provides information on local self-help groups in Stockholm. Offers workshops and offers assistance in starting new groups. Write: Fenix Sjalvhjalpscenter, Hagerstensvagen 162, 126 53 Hagersten (Stockholm) Sweden. Call 0046-8-681-06-24. E-mail: info@fenix.org.se Website: http://www.fenix.org
SWITZERLAND
Selbsthilfe Schweiz * Founded 2000. Nationwide coordinating organization for self-help groups. Umbrella organization for regional self-help clearinghouses throughout Switzerland. Assistance starting support groups. Call: Verena Vogelsanger. Write: Stiftung KOSCH, Laufenstrasse 12, CH-4053, Basel, Switzerland. Call +41 061 - 333 86 01 (Verena Vogelsanger); Fax: +41 061 - 333 86 02. E-mail: gs@kosch.ch Website: http://www.kosch.ch
