Anxiety and Depression Association of America

This website provides helpful information for caregivers for the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety and mood disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It also provides helpful information on school avoidance and many other related topics.

Become a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA)

Are you a young person who is between the ages of 18 and 30 years old with first-hand experience with mental health, special education, or foster care services? Are you curious about ways you could help a younger person who is facing some of the same challenges you faced?

If so, consider becoming a Youth Peer Advocate (YPA). Learn more about how you can use your own experience with recovery to make a positive impact in another young person’s life.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides a plethora of credible information on all aspects of protecting and improving quality health and wellness initiatives.

Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute contains a wide variety of useful information resources for families and educators. The site explores concerns and challenges faced by parents, family members and educators. Learn how to effectively respond to emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. This website also contains many personal story videos.

Th Child Mind Institute is available online or in person (in New York City), offering evaluations, treatment and neuropsychological testing for children, teens and young adults.

Children's Community, Crisis and Residential Treatment Facilities

The NYS Office of Mental Health oversees Children's Community Residences, Children's Crisis Residences and Children's Residential Treatment Facilities. The Multiple Systems Navigator has mapped these facilities. Use our mapping tool to locate these programs on a NYS map. Under "Map Programs and Services", click "Mental Health and Addictions" and select your desired program.

Find a Behavioral Health Provider

Use this mental health online provider directory to find a behavioral health provider in New York State.

Interagency Case Resolution Unit

The Interagency Case Resolution Unit works to assist caregivers and individuals in receiving the most appropriate community-based or residential services; minimize delays in arranging services or placements, and resolves barriers that impede timely service delivery or placement. 

The Interagency Case Resolution Unit becomes involved ONLY after all program options and dispute resolution procedures have been exhausted at the local and regional levels, or if a caregiver feels their child's needs are not being met by existing systems. 

How to Make a Referral

The agent making a referral on behalf of a child must provide the Council with the following:

• a completed Intake Form and a signed Release of Information Form;
• a description of the barriers encountered in attempting to provide appropriate services or placement;
• a record of the efforts that have been made by the referral source or others to secure services and/or placements for the child; and
• background information on the child's special needs.

A referral containing all of the information mentioned above may be submitted to:

Mental Health Resources for College Students

Although this resource is provides college students and young people with quality information on maintaining good mental health and identifying mental health issues, it is not meant to take the place of professional advice from a qualified mental health specialist. Some of the most common mental health issues facing college students include: Depression; Anxiety; Suicide; Bipolar Disorder; Eating Disorders; Addiction; Self-harm; and Struggles with Identity.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

Parent Guides on Social and Emotional Development

The NYS Office of Mental Health developed a set of parent guides to help parents better understand their child's social emotional development from ages 1 - 18. These guides provide information on what to expect, what you can do, when to be concerned and how to get help.