Mental Health Organizations

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder (BD), and Depression currently affect millions of Americans. The three national organizations highlighted in this article are dedicated to supporting individuals coping with these common mental health disorders.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1989 to support individuals with ADD and ADHD and the professionals who serve them. ADDA provides networking opportunities for adult patients, as well as informational resources covering a wide range of AD/HD topics. Services include a resource website, an annual national conference (available on audio and video tape), FOCUS (a quarterly publication), and teleclasses. The ADDA website offers listings of events, AD/HD books, articles and products, and links to local support groups and AD/HD professionals searchable by category and state. To view the ADDA website, please click here.  

The Philadelphia Affiliate of the National Obsessive Compulsive Foundation supports local residents with OCD and its spectrum disorders. The Affiliate is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1981 and incorporated in 1991 to raise public and professional awareness of OCD. It provides a wide range of resources, including an informational website, G.O.A.L. Post (a quarterly newsletter), professional guest speakers, an annual camping trip, an annual national conference, and professionally assisted support groups for individuals with OCD, Trichotillomania, and Anxiety, and their families. To view the Philadelphia Affiliate’s website, please click here.

Founded in 1985, Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed nonprofit organization serving individuals with mood disorders. DBSA offers a variety of services, including a comprehensive resource website, a toll-free information and referral line, peer-led support groups, and an annual conference. DBSA also publishes over two dozen educational materials and advocates for its constituents at the state capital. To view the DBSA website, please click here.

These and many other valuable organizations are featured on The Philadelphia Children’s Connection’s newly developed Special Needs Section. The Resources by Disabilities page presents key facts about 17 mental and physical developmental disabilities, as well links to local support groups. To view PCC’s Resources by Disabilities page, please click here.