A number of organizations focus on many individual facets of behavioral health or upon the entire HHS ecosystem. These include:
Policymaking
Public Policy Institute of California | forming and improving public policy through independent, objective, nonpartisan research
American Civil Liberties Union – ACLU – Southern California – Northern California | defends rights to freedom of speech and assembly, religious freedom, due process of law, equality, and right to privacy.
Advocacy
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness | families, members, affiliates, and partners leading the change on mental illness.
Legal
California Association of Mental Health Patient’s Rights Manual – CAMHPRA | legal rights manual.
Federal Government
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | agency protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
SAMSHA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | HHS agency seeking to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.