http://headlines.mentalhealthnet.org/inf/$headline.exe/MENTALHEALTH/ViewMessage?9146
NMHA Begins Internet Initiative on Mental Illness
To Assess Quality, Transparency and Privacy Issues
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 20, 2001) -- After a day-long meeting February 15 with 50 leaders in e-business, information technology, government and healthcare, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) today announced that it will initiate an ongoing effort to protect and promote the interests of people seeking information about mental illness on the Internet.

NMHA's "Connecting the Dots: Mental Health Internet Leadership Summit," held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, explored strategies to develop guiding principles for consumers, professionals and policy makers in their assessment of mental health information and resources online.

"We seek an ongoing partnership with the leaders shaping the Internet to use this powerful new communications medium to increase knowledge and empowerment, while overcoming the fear, discrimination and stigma of mental illness," said Michael Faenza, NMHA president and CEO.

A survey conducted by Harris Interactive for NMHA in advance of the Summit found that people who seek mental health information online are much more likely than other Internet users to value the ethical standards that can ensure information quality. Yet, the same study also found that those seeking mental health information generally have difficulty determining the credibility of online mental health resources.

Using a consensus-based facilitation process, the Summit participants identified more than 50 key issues involving mental health information on the Internet. Five major themes emerged from these issues:

· The importance of confidentiality, privacy and information quality;

· The need for transparency and disclosure;

· The value of empowering mental health consumers;

· The challenges of effective communication; and · The role of individuals, healthcare organizations, e-business and government in creating online safety nets.

The primary action identified by the participants is the development of an online process by which consumers of mental health information can assess the credibility of information provided online. The conference participants focused on this initiative as a strategy that would help improve the quality, transparency and privacy of mental health information on the Internet.

Participants at the NMHA conference, which was held in cooperation with the Internet Healthcare Coalition, included representatives from organizations such as AOL Time Warner, iVillage, PeopleWho.org, Medscape, the American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, the Washington Business Group on Health and the Federal Trade Commission. The conference was underwritten through an unrestricted educational grant from Forest Laboratories, Inc. with additional support from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

After the meeting, Faenza said NMHA will detail the findings of the conference in a strategy document and then request comments from the participants and others. "NMHA will work to build the broadest of coalitions to support the next steps in this initiative,"

Faenza explained.

"Like all communications media, the Internet can become a source of misinformation, discrimination and exploitation," Faenza said. "But, by joining together on this effort, the Internet can be a great liberating force in helping people with mental illness -and their families, friends and communities - receive the information, resources and services they need."

The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

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