Substance Abuse
Many Americans struggle with substance abuse in their families, and some have learned ways to cope with the challenges. If substance abuse is present in your family, there are countless resources for help and information. Good places to start are Coping With Substance Abuse in Your Family, the National Institute of Health’s Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction and Al-Anon/Alateen.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is abuse that involves injuring a spouse, child or other family member, and it is a very serious problem. If domestic violence is present in your family, get help immediately by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. See Domestic Violence Safety Tips for You and Your Family for tips on how to protect yourself at home, how to make your children safe, how to protect yourself at work, how to make yourself safer at work and how to use the laws to help you.
Mental Illness
Having a family member with a mental illness can be very stressful and challenging. Find help by contacting the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264), an organization that offers information on all types of mental illnesses, plus links to education and support groups nationwide. Another good resource is MentalHealthAmerica.net, which offers a Crisis Hotline (1-800-273-TALK), information on disorders and treatments and tips for finding help and paying for care.
Military Service and Relocation
Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers many resources to our military families at www.bgca.org/military, including MISSION: Youth Outreach, Operation Military Kids, and consistent services at nearly all military bases worldwide. In addition, dozens of organizations now provide support for military families, including help with relocation, support for staying close, counseling and 24-hour hotlines. A good place to start is the Military Family Research Institute, which has links to general military family support resources and deployment support resources. Other good resources are USMilitaryFamily.com, the National Military Family Association and One Source.