title: National estimates for mental health mutual support groups, self-help organizations, and consumer-operated services.
abstract: The authors report on a 2002 national survey of mental health mutual support groups (MSG) and self-help organizations (SHO) run by and for mental health consumers and/or family members, and consumer-operated services (COS). They found 7,467 of these groups and organizations-3,315 MSGs, 3,019 SHOs, and 1,133 COSs-greatly eclipsing the number of traditional mental health organizations (4,546). MSGs reported that 41,363 people attended their last meetings. SHOs reported a total of 1,005,400 members. COSs reported serving 534,551 clients/members in 1 year. The array of services and supports provided within each of these types (MSG, SHO, COS) is reported, and implications for the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health recommendations are explicated.
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD 20857, USA. Ingrid.Goldstrom@samhsa.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Ingrid D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Goldstrom
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blacklow
authors.forename: Marilyn J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Manderscheid
mesh_terms: D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States