Editor's Note: In order to offer you as many resources as possible, The Guidance Channel does not list the sites highlighted in our feature article or interview in our Top Ten Websites -- it goes without saying that we feel they belong here! Please be sure to check out those columns for additional websites offering exceptional resources.

Blamed And Ashamed

This report shares the findings from a two-year study of youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems. Young people and their families share their experiences, identify their successes and concerns, and present recommendations to improve services. Readers will learn that peer-to-peer support and accurate and useful information for both youth and families are crucial. Combined treatment that includes families is also necessary. Most importantly, youth and their families want to be heard and respected. While the suggestions offered are designed for providers, families, and youth, they could be applied to a wide variety of individuals, as well as programs and systems.

Coping: You Are Not Alone

Designed specifically for younger kids, this website offers advice on what to do when your parent has a mental illness. In addition to learning how to build coping skills, children will realize that it's okay to have an adult (or more than one adult) who can help them deal with this problem. A collection of quizzes provides important facts on a variety of illnesses and debunks common myths. The site's Tell A Story section allows kids to vent their feelings and share some of their solutions. Young visitors may either post their own stories of read what other kids have to say. This section serves as a wonderful resource to help children realize that they are not alone in their situation.

Glossary Of Symptoms And Mental Illnesses Affecting Teenagers

The American Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry created this tool to help teens, parents, teachers, and others learn more about the major mental illnesses, symptoms, and mental health issues which affect teenagers. For each illness, you'll find a short description along with links to additional fact sheets on the condition. In order to guide people to where they can find additional assistance, an extensive list of links to mental health services and advocacy organizations is presented at the end of the brochure.

Mental Health: A Report Of The Surgeon General – Children And Mental Health

This chapter is featured in a recent Report of the Surgeon General on Mental Health, which was developed through a collaboration between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to offering information on normal development, it also describes the general categories of mental disorders of children, reviews trends in assessment and diagnosis, explains the evaluation process, and shares research findings on various treatment strategies. The report then offers information on the prevalence, causes, and treatments for specific mental illnesses affecting children, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, disruptive disorders, substance abuse and eating disorders. An examination of service systems, including their origins, nature, financing, effectiveness, delivery, and utilization, is particularly useful.

National Mental Health Awareness Campaign

This teen-friendly site is dedicated to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Young people will obtain the tools they need to battle the stigma, shame, and myths the prevent many from getting the help they need. They'll find easily downloadable PSAs that can be used on the radio, television, and in newspapers, magazines and websites. Free pamphlets tell the stories of kids who struggled with depression and illustrate the role friends can play in preventing suicide. In an effort to eliminate the sense of isolation facing teens who are living with mental illness, message boards enable kids to connect with others affected by mental illness. There are also fact sheets, hotline numbers, and links to additional online resources to help teens realize that these illnesses are not their fault and that help is available.

The Role of Education in a System of Care: Effectively Serving Children with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

Schools provide a logical setting for early identification of children at risk for serious emotional disturbance and for effective provision of services. In light of this, SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center offers this study that examines the efforts, experiences, and outcomes for three sites that have overcome the challenges to creating a comprehensive, school-based system of care. Some of the promising strategies identified by this study include persistent collaboration with families, both child- and family-driven assessments, planning and monitoring of all interventions, ongoing staff development, and a comprehensive and seamless system of care that provides appropriate, culturally competent child- and family-centered services. While this study focuses on urban settings, all schools can benefit from the insight shared in this report.

Support the Supporters

MentalWellness.com developed this guide to "Support the Supporters" of people living with mental illness. There is information on the value of support groups, personal insight on the reality of growing up with siblings who are mentally ill, and specific ways to provide encouragement and assistance to those with bipolar disorder. "A Caregiver's Guide To Living With Mental Illness" is especially helpful as is not only includes tips on how family members and caregivers can help loved ones with mental illness, but advice on taking care of themselves, as well.

Talking About Mental Illness: A Teacher's Resource

This high school awareness program has been proven to bring about positive change in students' knowledge and attitudes about mental illness. Teachers and school counselors can use the ready-to-use activities and overheads to address issues, such as the impact of stigma on the lives of people with mental illness, and to educate students about the types, causes, and treatments of mental illness. Evaluation tools also help teachers measure the program's impact on students’ knowledge and attitude. Links to community resources and support for further information and professional help are included, as well. Although this guide was intended for teachers in secondary schools across Ontario, Canada, it is relevant for any teacher who is interested in exploring these topic areas.

Tips for People Living with Mental Illness In Uncertain Times

While all of us are struggling to cope with the continuing terrorist threat at home and the ongoing military action in Iraq, many people with mental illness may have even more profound and debilitating reactions to the war. This resource, developed by the National Mental Health Association, features expert advice on how people living with mental illness can cope during these trying times. It identifies common warning signs of an oncoming relapse, offers suggestions for ensuring that one's treatment plan is followed, and lists various ways to take advantage of the many people and tools that can help during times of crisis. Mental health consumers and professionals, as well as families and school staff, can benefit from the guidance offered here.

Your Guide To Mental Illness And Children

This article, found on WebMDHealth, answers the most common questions about children and mental illness. It begins by highlighting the most common illnesses found in children, then reviews symptoms that may signal that there is a problem. Causes of mental illness, including heredity, biology, psychological trauma, and environmental stress, are examined. Visitors will learn how mental illness is diagnosed and treated, and learn that if symptoms are recognized and treatment is started early, many of the distressing and disabling effects of a mental illness may be prevented or at least minimized.