Resources
Families, advocates, and policymakers navigating severe mental illness need clear, trustworthy sources of information. The organizations below provide research, education, and advocacy at the national level. Each plays a different role — from advancing science and shaping policy to sharing lived experience and elevating voices. Together, they offer a starting point for understanding both the challenges and the solutions.
The Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to timely and effective treatment for people with severe mental illness. Their website offers research, policy updates, and practical guides for families and policymakers.
The National Shattering Silence Coalition is an alliance of advocates working to improve care and outcomes for people living with severe mental illness. NSSC focuses on policy reform, public education, and amplifying the voices of families and individuals directly impacted.
The Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance is a national nonprofit committed to improving lives affected by schizophrenia and related psychosis spectrum disorders. They provide education, advocacy, and community connection to advance understanding and drive systemic change.
Mental Health America is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental wellness, prevention, early intervention, and recovery. MHA offers educational resources, policy advocacy, and community programs with a focus on protecting the rights and dignity of people experiencing mental illness.
NAMI is a nationwide membership organization with many active state and local chapters. These chapters often provide valuable peer support, educational programs, and opportunities for community connection for families and individuals facing mental illness.
The Sozosei Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to decriminalizing mental illness and ending the use of jails and prisons as default responses to psychiatric crises. Through grants, convenings, and advocacy, the foundation supports innovative approaches that replace punishment with care.
NASMHPD represents the state officials who oversee public mental health systems. The organization produces research, policy reports, and data — including key statistics on psychiatric bed capacity and treatment availability nationwide.
SAMHSA is the federal agency within HHS responsible for public health efforts related to mental illness and substance use. It provides grants, policy guidance, and resources to states and communities on prevention, treatment, and crisis response.
NIMH is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. It funds and publishes scientific studies on schizophrenia, psychosis, and other serious conditions, and offers data and educational resources for families and professionals.
AwareNow is a media platform focused on elevating personal stories and raising awareness around social impact issues, including mental health. Through magazines, podcasts, and live events, AwareNow shares first-person narratives and creative campaigns designed to inspire understanding and change.
The CURESZ Foundation (Comprehensive Understanding via Research and Education into Schizophrenia) is dedicated to advancing knowledge and support for schizophrenia and related disorders. They connect families with expert information, promote research, and share stories of recovery to reduce stigma and improve outcomes.
"It’s hard to adequately express just how grateful I am for organizations that tell about the journeys of families with illness from injury or genetic predisposition or both…. Stories about our most complex organ attached to every organ and cell within our bodies, and also least understood - making the journey ever more complicated, against and yet within a system that is deeply fragmented and too imperfect. A system that is so taxing upon the practitioners and families alike…. A system where families often find wrong answers, apathy, or no answers because of life’s complexities. A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!"
Chris Jay
