Crisis Hotlines and Resources

Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. No representation is made or warranty given to each organization listed herein concerning the accuracy or completeness of any information contained, or services provided, herein. Persons accessing this information assume full responsibility for the use of services and information herein and understand that I am not responsible or liable for any claim arising from the use of these services. Also, the self-help books and websites listed here are not intended to substitute a professional's assesment or treatment.

Find Services Near You by Your local Community Information Directory: Most communities have a community information directory operated by the local United Way or a similiar organization, with a 211 or similiar number. These directories keep a usually pretty up-to-date listing of a wide range of community-based programs.

Find Services Near You By Search Engine
Instructions: Click on the following link. Type in a keyword or business name related to the type of service you are interested in, fill in your location and click "Find It!"
http://www.superpages.com/

Instructions: Click on the following link. Click on "Change Location" link in the upper right hand corner to fill in your location. Now enter your city and state/providence and country (if you live outside the U.S.) and click, "Continue". Now you'll be taken back to the main Yahoo! Yellow Pages web page. In the Search box, simply type in a keyword or business name related to the type of service you are interested in and click, "Search".
http://yp.yahoo.com/

Table of Contents:
Alcohol, Nicotine, and Substance Abuse Addiction Recovery
Domestic Violence/Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Trauma Recovery Hotlines
Bereavement
Disabilities
Food and Shelter Assistance
Clothing and Home Goods Assistance
Education/Vocational
Family
Financial Assistance
Health Care Assistance
Mental Health
Runaway Children/Teens Helplines
Safe Infant Abandonment
STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)/HIV Information, Testing, and Treatment
 
Alcohol, Nicotine, and Substance Abuse Addiction Recovery

Hotlines:
Canada:
Kids Help Line
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868
http://kidshelp.sympatico.ca/

United Kingdom:
RE-SOLV
Society for Prevention of Solvent & Volatile Substance Abuse
30A High Street Stone
Staffordshire ST15 8AW
England
Phone: 01785 817 885
Freephone Help Line: 0808 800 2345
http://www.re-solv.org/

AL-Anon
For families and friends of problem drinkers
Phone: 020 7403 0888 (confidential helpline, open 7 days a week 10am-10pm)

Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 08457 697 555

Careline
Counselling for children, young people and adults
Phone: 020 8514 1177

CHILDLINE UK
Freephone: 0800 11 11
http://www.childline.org.uk/
Free, 24-hour, national helpline for children and youth in trouble or danger throughout the UK.

Drinkline
Offers advice and support to anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking
Freephone 0800 917 8282

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Heroine Helpline (UK)
Phone: 020 7749 4053

Kid Help
Children and adolescents in crisis will receive immediate help. Referrals to shelters, mental health services, sexual abuse treatment, substance abuse, family counseling, residential care, adoption/foster care, etc.
1-800-543-7283

National Drugs Helpline
For drug users, their families, friends and carers call free on 0800 776600

Release
Drugs and legal advice for users, families and friends
Tel: 020 7729 9904

United States:
Al-Anon/Alateen Hotline
Hope & Help for young people who are the relatives & friends of a problem drinker.
1-800-344-2666
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

Alcohol & Drug Referral Hotline (United States)
1(800) 252-6465

Alcohol Abuse & Crisis Intervention Line
1-800-234-0246

Cocaine Anonymous
(800) 347-8998

CSAT's National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Routing Service
Provides referrals to local facilities where adolescents and adults can seek help. Brief intervention.
1(800) 662-4357

Ecstasy Addiction
1-800-468-6933

National Drug Information, Treatment & Referral Line
Provides referrals to local facilities where adolescents and adults can seek help.
1-800-821-4357
(1-800-662-HELP)

Marijuana Anonymous
(800) 766-6779

National Cocaine Hotline
1(800) 262-2463

Recovery Hotline Referral Service
1(800) 888-9383

Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Locator (U.S)
http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
Australia/New Zealand:
New Zealand Drug Foundation
PO Box 3082
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: (04) 499 2920
http://www.nzdf.org.nz/

Network of Alcohol/Drug Agencies
PO Box 2345
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Australia
Phone: (02) 92814781
http://www.nada.org.au/

Canada:
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
75 Albert Street, Suite 300
Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7
Canada
Phone: (613) 235-4048
http://www.ccsa.ca/

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Assistance and Training (Canada)
c/o Homewood Health Care Centre
49 Emma Street, Suite 100
Guelph Ontario, N1E 6X1
Canada
Phone: (519) 822-2476
http://home.golden.net/~fasat

United Kingdom:
EUROCARE
Secretariat
1 The Quay
St. Ives
Cambridgeshire PE17 4AR
United Kingdom
Phone: 0148 046 6766
http://www.eurocare.org/
Advocacy for the prevention of alcohol-related harm in Europe.

Management of Substance Abuse
World Health Organization
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Management of Substance Abuse Team
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland
Phone: 022 791 4325
www.who.int/substance_abuse/

National Addiction Centre
London Institute of Psychiatry
4 Windsor Walk
Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF England
Phone: 0171 703 5411
http://web1.iop.kcl.ac.uk/IoP/Departments/PsychMed/NAC/index.shtml

United States
American Council on Alcoholism
1(800) 527-5344

Just Say No International
1(800) 258-2766

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
1(800) 729-6686

National Council on Alcoholism
1(800) 622-2255

National Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education
1(800) 667-7433

Nicotine Addiction And Cigarettes - From the Americal Lung Association American Lung Association info sheets on smoking, nicotine, and related topics.
www.lungusa.org/

Nicotine Junkies
Information on kids and smoking, facts about smoking and addiction
http://whyfiles.org/024nicotine/

North American Syringe Exchange Network(NASEN)
535 Dock St., Ste. 112
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-272-4857

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
http://www.samhsa.gov/


Domestic Violence/Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Trauma Recovery Hotlines
World-Wide List of Domestic Abuse Agencies
http://www.hotpeachpages.net/ 
Global inventory of hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centres and women's organizations, searchable by country, plus index of domestic violence resources in over 70 languages. Please refer to this website for international resources.

American Women Overseas
3300 N.W. 185th Street, Suite 133
Portland, OR 97229
Toll-free: 1-866-USWOMEN (International Crisis Line) (1-866-879-6636)
Phone: (503) 907-6554
Fax: (503) 907-6554
E-mail: awos@awoscentral.com
URL: http://www.awoscentral.com/  
Organization dedicated to assisting American women living overseas victimized by domestic violence. Outreach, safety planning, extensive support services, general info on domestic violence at website.

IACP Model Policy on Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence
Toll-free: 1-800-THE IACP
E-mail: information@theiacp.org  
http://www.theiacp.org/documents/index.cfm?fuseaction=document&document_type_id=1&document_id=175
The International Association of Chiefs of Police Policy addresses prevention, intervention, and prosecution approaches. Documents available for free download as WORD files.

U.S. Department of Defense Policy on Domestic Violence in the Military
The Department of Defense addresses prevention, intervention, and prosecution approaches, as well as provides advocacy for victims.
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)
http://www.ndvh.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline TDD (for the hearing-impaired)
1-800-787-3224

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
RAINN is a 24-hour national hotline for victims of sexual assault. Calls to the hotline are instantly computer-routed to the 24-hour rape crisis center nearest the caller.
Toll-free 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
http://www.rainn.org/
The AWARE Foundation: Hotlines
http://awarefoundation.org/resources/sexual_abuse_hotlines.aspx

Battered Women's Justice Project
http://www.bwjp.org/

New Social Security Numbers For Domestic Violence Victims
Protecting your identity if you are a victim of domestic violence
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10093.html

Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline
National Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD

Kid Help
Children and adolescents in crisis will receive immediate help. Referrals to shelters, mental health services, sexual abuse treatment, substance abuse, family counseling, residential care, adoption/foster care, etc.
1-800-543-7283
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
National Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST
www.ncmec.org/

Voices In Action
1-800-7-VOICE-8 (1-800-786-4238) (Hours: 9am - 6pm CT)
Listings for treatment & support for victims of incest & child sexual abuse.

Gay & Transgender Hate Crime Hotline
1-800-616-HATE

National Center for Victims of Crime
1-800-FYI-CALL (8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST)
TTY: 1-800-211-7996,
E-mail: gethelp@ncvc.org
http://www.ncvc.org/

Reconstructive Surgery/Domestic Abuse Hotline
1-800-842-4546
Joint program: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, providing free reconstructive surgery for victims of domestic violence, male and female.

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
Canada:
Canadian National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
The NCFV is a national resource centre for all Canadians seeking information about violence within the family, including spouse/partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse.
Health Promotion and Programs Branch
Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Building
1907D1, Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, ON K1A 1B4
Phone: (613) 957-2938
Toll-free: 1-800-267-1291
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-561-5643
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hppb/familyviolence/

Face It! Dating Violence is Not Love!
Information from the RCMP and The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence.
Available in English and French.
www.cyberus.ca/~faceit/

United Kingdom:
Hidden Hurt
Abuse Information and Support Site. Written by a survivor of domestic violence for those in abusive relationships
http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/

Rights of Women
Telephone legal advice service for women, offering advice and information on sexual violence and harassment and employment rights, relationship breakdown and arrangements for any children, lesbian parenting, domestic violence. Can provide referrals to sympathetic women solicitors.
52-54 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8RT.
Tel: 020 7251 6577
E-mail: info@row.org.uk
http://www.rightsofwomen.org.uk/

Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse
A non-profit making organisation based in the UK dedicated to provide help, support and information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse.
http://www.pandys.org/

United States:
The Broken Spirits Network
An online support group for victims of abuse & domestic violence
http://www.brokenspirits.com/

Coalition for Children
Comprehensive resource for child abuse, lifeskills education, advocacy, media support, legal & expert witness services, research, strangers, safety on the Internet and bullies.
www.safechild.org/

Center for the Prevention of School Violence
1-800-299-6504

Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence
http://www.cpsdv.org/

Child Abuse Prevention Network
http://www.child-abuse.com/

Family Violence Prevention Fund
http://endabuse.org/

Healing Woman Foundation
1-800-477-4111
http://www.members.tripod.com/~IncestAware/frames.html

Incest Awareness Foundation
1-888 -547-3222

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-800-537-2238
http://www.nrcdv.org/

Pandora's Aquarium
A message board & online support group for survivors of sexual violence
http://www.welcometobarbados.org/pandoras.html

Restraining Order: Protecting Yourself from an Abuser
Information about restraining orders and how to place one in the U.S.
http://incestabuse.about.com/cs/restrainingorders/

Parents Anonymous
Self help groups for abused children and parents under stress
www.parentsanonymous.org/

Symptoms of Emotional Abuse
http://www.lilaclane.com/relationships/emotional-abuse/

Stop It Now! (Sexual Abuse)
1-888-PREVENT
Verbal Abuse
http://www.verbalabuse.com/

WAVE (Working Against Violence Everywhere)
1-888-960-9600
http://www.waveamerica.com/

Bereavement

Hotlines:
United Kingdom
Cruse
Helpline for bereaved people and those caring for bereaved people
Phone: 020 8332 7227

Child death helpline
Telephone helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child
Phone: 0808 282986

Compassionate Friends
Grief support for bereaved parents, families and friends.
Phone: 0117 953 9639

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:


Disabilities

Hotlines:
United Kingdom:
Dial UK
Disability information and advice line
Phone: 01302 310 123

Disabled Living Foundation Helpline
Advice on equipment
Phone: 0845 130 9177

RADAR
Royal association for disability and rehabilitation
For non medical issues call
Phone: 020 7250 3222

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
United States:
Disability Info
Your connection to Federal disability-related information & resources
http://disabilityinfo.gov/

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
"The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services."
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html  

Pregnancy Discrimination Act
For historical purposes, this is the original text of the law, without any subsequent amendments. A Link to the amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is provided
http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeoc/35th/thelaw/pregnancy_discrimination-1978.html

Hire the Deaf Network
"This is the number one website for individuals who are hearing impaired to find jobs."
http://www.hiredeaf.com/  

Wemedia
"This site focuses on workplace and lifestyle issues facing the disabled."
http://www.wemedia.com/

March of Dimes
Information on birth defects, prenatal care, and a whole range of topics pertaining to staying healthy during pregnancy.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/


Food and Shelter Assistance

Hotlines:
Action Against Hunger International
http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/programs/country_directory.html

St. Vincent DePaul Society International
Promotes a worldview based on the life and teaching of St. Vincent de Paul, in assisting the needy with food, toiletries and clothing.
http://www.vincent.org/index.htm?svdp.htm  

The Salvation Army
"Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination"
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/

Habitat for Humanity International
http://www.habitat.org/

Canada
Directory of Food Banks in Canada
http://www.google.com/Top/Society/Philanthropy/Organizations/Hunger_Relief/Food_Banks/Canada/

Directory of Soup Kitchens, Food Banks/Pantries, and Shelters
http://4homeless.hypermart.net/shelters.html

United Kindom:
CHILDLINE UK
Freephone: 0800 11 11
http://www.childline.org.uk/
Free, 24-hour, national helpline for children and youth in trouble or danger throughout the UK.

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

United States:
Links to U.S. State and Local Departments of Public Health (provides referrals in your community)
http://www.apha.org/public_health/state.htm

Directory of Soup Kitchens, Food Banks/Pantries, and Shelters
http://4homeless.hypermart.net/shelters.html

Directory of Food Banks in the U.S.
http://www.google.com/Top/Society/Philanthropy/Organizations/Hunger_Relief/Food_Banks/United_States/

America's Second Harvest Food Banks
U.S. hunger-relief organization that distributes food to millions of hungry Americans through a network of food banks and food-rescue organizations.
http://www.secondharvest.org/site_content.asp?s=4

Goodwill Industries International, Inc.: Find a Goodwill Near You
"Goodwill Industries' operates more than 1,900 retail stores (in the United States) to fund career training and employment programs that help people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities."
http://locator.goodwill.org/

Women, Infants, and Children
The WIC program helps safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risks by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to healthcare.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

USDA Food and Nutrition Service
The federal, state and local governments provide many programs designed to help meet nutritional needs of low-income people and their families.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/menu/PROGRAMS.htm

School Meals
The School Meals Program provides nutrition education and nutritious meals, such as breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks, to children in order to promote learning readiness and healthy eating habits.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/

Child and Adult Care Food Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides nutritious meals to low-income children and adults who receive daycare outside of their home.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Care/CACFP/cacfphome.htm

HUD Housing Counseling Program
Catholic Charities USA directs the multi-agency Housing Counseling Program, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the program, housing counselors in more than 40 Catholic Charities agencies are trained to provide homebuyer education, mortgage delinquency and reverse mortgage counseling, relocation counseling, and other services.
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/initiatives/housing/index.cfm

If You Are Homeless or May Become Homeless
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/needhelp.html

Homeless Assistance in the United States
http://www.hud.gov/homeless/hmlsagen.cfm

National Listing of Homeless Shelters
http://www.gtii.com/members/lannin/shelters/us.htm

Listing of Homeless Shelters
http://www.google.com/Top/Society/Philanthropy/Organizations/Homeless/

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
International:
Rehydration Project
http://www.rehydrate.org/

Save The Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/

Christian Children's Fund
http://www.christianchildrensfund.org/

CARE International
http://www.care.org/

World Vision International
http://www.wvi.org/

United States:
Gov. Benefits
The official benefits Web site of the U.S. Government
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal

Housing/Section 8
www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/index.html


Clothing and Home Goods Assistance

Hotlines:
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.: Find a Goodwill near you
"Goodwill Industries' operates more than 1,900 retail stores to fund career training and employment programs that help people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities."
http://locator.goodwill.org/

The Salvation Army International
"Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination"
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/

St. Vincent DePaul Society International
Promotes a worldview based on the life and teaching of St. Vincent de Paul, in assisting the needy with food, toiletries and clothing.
http://www.vincent.org/index.htm?svdp.htm

Dress for Sucess
Career Gear
Dress for Sucess, with affiliates in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, UK, US.) Charitable organization that offers free interview clothing and other support services to low-income women entering or returning to the workforce. Career Gear, with affiliates in several US cities, offers similar services for low-income men.
http://www.dressforsuccess.org/
http://www.careergear.org/

Share Your Soles
This nonprofit gathers and distributes free, clean secondhand shoes for impoverished people in the US, especially on Native American reservations, and in poorer nations around the globe.
http://www.shareyoursoles.org/

Inexpensive Maternity Clothes
A short how-to-find guide from LovetoKnowPregnancy
http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cheap_Maternity_Clothes

Freecycle
This is an international organization that lets you place wanted adds in your community for free things, or to view offer adds from people giving away things. Everything must be free and often times you get what you ask for or it is already being offered for free, you can get anything from furniture to clothing and toys. When you go to the link choose the area you live in and become a member (free) each community has their own personnal site linked to the main page
http://www.freecycle.org/

Pregnancy Resource Centers
Organizations listed under this heading provide counseling and/or information on abortion alternatives and pregnancy/parenting assistance. The objective of the following organizations is not a political one, but a most practical one: to ensure that every woman knows that the resources she needs in order to continue her unplanned pregnancy are available.
Services Include: free pregnancy and infant/toddler supplies (toys, clothing, seasonal clothing, bottles and formula, infant/child hygiene items, diapers, crib blankets and sheets, toys, etc.) community referrals(addiction recovery, child care, clothing/food/furniture/rent/utility assistance, disability services, employment assistance, legal assistance, medical care, mental health counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy support, protective services for victims of abuse, and transportation), and post abortion programs. Also some are liscened medical clinics which provide ultrasound and limited prenatal care.

International Pregnancy Resource Centers & Maternity Homes
Australia, Canada (providence-by-providence), England, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, United States (national and state-by-state)
http://zjam.com/weblinks/Crisis%20Pregnancy%20Centers.html

International Pregnancy Resource for Jerusalem
http://yadletinok.tripod.com/

Birthright International
Birthright provides non-religion-based caring, and unjudgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Using its own resources and those of the community, Birthright offers positive and loving alternatives. They provide friendship and emotional support, free pregnancy testing, and maternity and baby clothes. They also give information and referrals to help clients meet legal, medical, financial, and housing needs. All Birthright services are free, absolutely confidential, and available to any woman regardless of age, race, creed, economic or marital status. 900 centers in the USA/Canada. Some in South Africa and Colombia.
Phone: 1-800-550-4900 (24hrs/7 days a week)
Locate a Center Near You: http://birthright.org/htmpages/locate.htm
Home Page: http://www.birthright.org/
1-800-550-4900

CareNet International/Pregnancy Centers/OptionLine
A non-profit organization supporting a network of over 600 Christian-based pregnancy centers across the United States and Canada. These centers offer free pregnancy tests, peer-counseling, post abortion support and other practical help to women and men facing pregnancy-related concerns.
Phone: 1-800-395-HELP (1-800-395-4357) 24hrs/7 days a week
E-mail: answers@optionline.org
Web Addresses: http://optionline.org or http://www.care-net.org/

Heartbeat International
A non-profit organization supporting a network of over 600 Christian-based pregnancy centers across the United States and Canada. These centers offer free pregnancy tests, peer-counseling, post abortion support and other practical help to women and men facing pregnancy-related concerns.
Phone: 1-800-395-HELP
Other non-critical services, 1-888-550-7577
E-Mail: support@heartbeatinternational.org
Web Address: http://heartbeatinternational.org/worldwide_directory.asp

United States:
Catholic Charities
Social services for anyone (you don’t need to be Catholic) include: adoption, family support, help for at-risk children, housing assistance, job training, respite care, home care, parenting education, pregnancy counseling, prison ministry, refugee and immigration assistance, and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse.
Phone: 1-800-CARE-002, 24-hour national service

The National Life Center
Phone: 1-800-848-LOVE (5683), staffed 24/7
E-mail: mailto:nlc1stway@snip.net
Web Address: http://www.nationallifecenter.com/hotline.htm

The Nurturing Network
"The objective of the Nurturing Network is not a political one, but a most practical one: to ensure that every woman knows that the resources she needs in order to continue her pregnancy are available by calling the Network's toll free number: 1-800-TNN-4MOM. Volunteer members form an extensive employment, medical, educational, counseling and residential network which enables a mother to continue the life of her unborn child without sacrificing her own hopes and dreams. Services include medical assistance, financial assistance, nurturing homes, educational programs, employment & adoption counseling, preparation for parenthood. Staffed during normal business hours, specializing in help for college and professional women; 32,000 volunteer members (nurses, doctors, social workers).
Phone: 1-800-866-4666
Address: PO Box 1498, White Salmon, WA 98672
E-mail: tnn@nurturingnetwork.org
Web Address: http://nurturingnetwork.org/

Diaper Banks
In the US, government benefit programs for low income individuals, such as WIC and food stamps, do not cover the ever-rising, expensive cost of diapers. However, diaper banks have been established to address this problem at the local level.
Southern Arizona; The Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, California
Hartford, Connecticut; New Haven, Connecticut
Southwest Florida
South Boston, Massachusetts
Rhode Island
South King County (Seattle), Washington
Autism Support Group of Genessee County, Michigan helps families with older autistic children still in diapers to get them for free

Education/Vocational

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
United States
Gov. Benefits
The official benefits Web site of the U.S. Government
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal

Head Start Program (U.S.)
http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb/

Job Opportunities for Low-income Individuals (JOLI) Program
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/dcdp/joli/welcome.htm

Financial Aid: Educational Grants for Low-Income Students
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

Black Collegian
Many of the links lead to discussions of barriers to employment
http://www.blackcollegian.com/

Black Voices
"This site includes job search and many other helpful features for African Americans. This site also includes information about the best companies for African Americans."
http://www.blackvoices.com/

Hire the Deaf Network
"This is the number one website for individuals who are hearing impaired to find jobs."
http://www.hiredeaf.com/

Wemedia
"This site focuses on workplace and lifestyle issues facing the disabled."
http://www.wemedia.com/

Hispanic Business
"This site offers up-to-date stories, links to business related articles, and information about the top 500 Hispanic-owned companies in the United States."
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/

Monstertrak
"This site has great career information for sutdents and many colleges post their job listings here. Be sure to look for the Career Guide when checking out this site."
http://www.monstertrak.com/


Family

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
United Kingdom
Careline
Counselling for children, young people and adults
Phone: 020 8514 1177

Parentline
Helpline for the parents and carers of children
Phone: 0808 800 2222

Gingerbread
Advice line for loan (foster) parents
Freephone: 0800 018 4318

National Council for One-parent families
Freephone: 0800 018 5026

United States:
Child Care Assistance for Needy Families
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccb/

Facts About Pregnancy Discrimination
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act in brief
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-preg.html

Women's Rights Fact Sheet: Your Rights During Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://www.afscme.org/wrkplace/wrfaq06.htm

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Your rights as an employee during pregnancy
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/HTML/fmlafac2.asp

Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/


Financial Assistance

Hotlines:
United Kingdom:
National Debtline
Help for anyone in debt or concerned they may fall into debt
Freephone: 0808 808 4000

Gamcare
Confidential counselling, advice and information for anyone affected by a gambling problem
Phone: 0845 6000 1333

Consumer Credit Counselling Service
Free counselling and advice for people with debt problems
Freephone: 0800 131 1111

United States:
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/


Gov. Benefits
The official benefits Web site of the U.S. Government
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal

Informational/Preventional Organizations and Websites:

Administration for Children and Families: Family Assistance
"The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) administers the major Federal programs that support: social services that promote the positive growth and development of children and youth and their families; protective services and shelter for children and youth in at-risk situations; child care for working families and families on public assistance; and adoption for children with special needs."
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/acyf/
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/

Unemployment Insurance Information
http://ows.doleta.gov/


Health Care Assistance

Hotlines:
United Kingdom:
Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Health Information Service
Provides information on NHS services and coping with illnesses and treatments. Also provides information about support groups and helplines including smoking, mental health, sexual health and those providing information relating to pregnancy/abortion
FREEphone: 0800 66 55 44

United States
Your local community information directory: Most communities have a community information directory operated by the local United Way or a similiar organization, with a 211 or similiar number. These directories keep a usually pretty up-to-date listing of a wide range of community-based programs.

In many cities, hospitals/health systems also operate non-profit, federally qualified community health centers, which take Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, as well as offer a sliding fee scale for those without insurance.

Also, many hospitals/health care systems offer a patient assistance program or managed care program for the uninsured in which the cost of services are discounted on a sliding-fee scale based on their income and household size (you do not have to be on Medicaid to qualify), and not only applies to inpatient services, but also applies to community services affiliated with the hospital or health care system, including primary care and family planning centers, pharmacies, mental health counseling, etc.

Also, there may be other federally-funded, community-based health clinics in the area. At the below link, you can find the websites of U.S. State and Local Departments of Public Health
Your local department of health can provide referrals for financial assistance for medical care and referrals for low-cost or free medical care in your community
http://www.apha.org/public_health/state.htm

Low-Cost Health Care Providers
HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care-supported Health Centers provide health care to low-income and other vulnerable populations. Health Centers care for people regardless of their ability to pay and whether or not they have health insurance. They provide primary and preventive health care, as well as services such as transportation and translation. Many Health Centers also offer dental, mental health and substance abuse care. Use the search engine at the link below to find one of these health centers in your community
http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- Health Resources and Services Administration
Find government-based health assistance programs and reduced-cost healthcare for a range of needs.
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/default.htm

RxAssist - Patient Assistance Programs
The Web's most current and comprehensive directory of Patient Assistance Programs, which are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Requires you to register (free).
http://www.rxassist.org/

Needy Meds
Lists pharmaceutical manufacturers' financial assistance programs for patients. Does not require any sort of registration and site is like the Yellow Pages.
http://www.needymeds.com/

Medicaid
www.cms.gov/medicaid/

Insurance for Children
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
For low-income women provides free or low-cost mammograms and Pap tests. Find a free or low-cost mammogram and Pap test in your State.
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp

Catholic Charities: Children's Health MattersTM
In partnership with six Catholic health care institutions, Catholic Charities USA sponsors an advocacy and enrollment project that helps uninsured children receive the medical care they need. Catholic Charities USA supports local agencies in enrolling eligible children and advocating for simplified enrollment procedures and increased access to the State Children's Health Insurance Programs.
http://www.childrenshealthmatters.org/

Catholic Charities: Medicare Information and Resources
The Medicare program is rolling out expanded coverage with the addition of the prescription drug program for which Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible to apply for beginning November 15, 2005 and that will go into effect January 1, 2006. Special attention is being made to giving low income Medicare and Medicaid recipients ample time and resources to consider the extra help that is available to them. Starting in May of this year, the Social Security Administration began sending special letters to low income persons who qualify for up to 100% coverage of the cost of their medicine. Many other low income individuals may also qualify for partial assistance towards the cost of their medications. Catholic Charities agencies can serve as an important resource for individuals who may qualify for partial assistance but will need to formally apply to receive the benefit.
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/initiatives/medicare/index.cfm

National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses
Serves facilities that provide lodging to patients and families during medical emergencies. Features list of homes located in the US.
http://www.nahhh.org/lodging.php
http://www.nahhh.org/medical_resources.php

Ronald McDonald House Charities
Focused on helping families in need by providing affordable housing while children are hospitalized. Provides a list of all homes in the US and Internationally.
Address: One Kroc Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: 630-623-7048
Fax: 630-623-7488
http://www.rmhc.org/rmhc/index/search_house.html

Informational/Preventional Organizations and Websites:
Australia
Public Health Association of Australia
http://www.phaa.net.au/

United Kingdom
Department of Health
http://www.doh.gov.uk/

NHS DIRECT
For immediate and confidential health advice and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Phone: 0845 46 47

United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/

Food and Drug Administration: Recalls and Safety Alerts
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html

Center for Food Safety and Nutrition Consumer Advice
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/advice.html

National Institutes of Health: Consumer Health Information
http://www.nih.gov/health/consumer/

NCI's CancerNet's Cancer Information
http://cancer.gov/cancerinformation

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
http://www.acog.org/

March of Dimes
Information on birth defects, prenatal care, and a whole range of topics pertaining to staying healthy during pregnancy.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/

Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy Center
Tons of information on pregnancy from pre-conception through labor and birth
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy/PR99999

World Wide Age of Sexual Consent (regarding statutory rape)
http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm

Ectopic Pregnancy
www.ectopicpregnancy.com/

The AWARE Foundation: Reproductive Health and Sexuality Information
http://awarefoundation.org/


Mental Health

Hotlines:
International Suicide Helplines Directory
A gateway to 1,700 suicide helplines and emotional first-aid centers worldwide and on the Internet.
www.suicide-helplines.org/

Befrienders Worldwide
Crisis centers world-wide
http://www.befrienders.org/

Australia:
Psychiatric Emergency Team Phone
Australia Wide: 1300 555 788

Kids Help Australia
Offers a 24 hour telephone and online counseling service for children and youth throughout Australia.
Toll-free: 1-800-55-1800
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/home_KHL.aspx?s=6

Life Line
Offers a 24 hour telephone counseling service, and also a telephone advisory service dealing with mental health issues.
13-11-14
http://www.lifeline.org.au/

The Lifelink Samaritans (Tasmania)
The Lifelink Samaritans offer a 24 hour free, confidential statewide telephone befriending service; unfortunately the service is currently only available in Tasmania.
1300 364 566 (Statewide)
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/services/view.php?id=2262

The Salvation Army
Offers a 24 hour telephone counseling service plus online information about depression and other problems.
1300 36 36 22
http://www.salvos.org.au/

Canada:
Kids Help Phone
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868
Canada's only toll-free national hotline for children and youth. Bilingual (English and French).

United Kingdom and Ireland:
Bodywhys - Ireland
PO Box 105, Blackrock
County Dublin, Ireland
Phone: 01 283 4963
Helpline: 1890 200 444
http://www.bodywhys.ie/

Careline
Counselling for children, young people and adults
Phone: 020 8514 1177

CHILDLINE
Freephone: 0800 11 11
http://www.childline.org.uk/
Free, 24-hour, national helpline for children and youth in trouble or danger throughout the UK

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Tel: 0808 808 4994

Relateline
Couples counselling, information and support to adults dealing with relationship issues
Phone: 0845 130 40 10

The Samaritans
24-hour, national helpline.
Phone: 08457-90-90-90 (UK)
Phone: 1850-60-90-90 (ROI)
http://www.samaritans.org/
Jo@samaritans.org

United States:
Below I've posted some of the places in the community where you can usually find low-cost counseling services or referrals for low-cost services, in addition to hotlines.

-Your local community mental health clinic:Most cities have community mental health clinic, which offers services, such as psychotherapy, group therapy, partial-day treatment programs, and medication management for individuals and families, on a sliding fee scale based on income. These clinics are staffed by mental health professionals, such as licensed clinical social workers, licensed practicing nurses, and psychiatrists, and are usually government funded.

-Your local university's teaching college/psychology program: If you don’t have a doctor you like or you want an evaluation by a mental health professional, look for local universities that have graduate programs in social work or clinical psychology. You can often get treated by graduate students who are being closely supervised, often for little cost and less than the going rates. These services are usually open to the community and are seperate from the student counseling centers, which are only open to enrolled students and facilty/staff.

-Your local university student counseling center/clinic: There's almost always a student counseling center/clinic on campuses, which offers professional counseling, for little to no cost, to enrolled students/alumini and facilty/staff.

-Employment Assistance Programs: If you are employed and your company offers an employee assistance program, take advantage of it. It’s free, and they can typically set you up with three or so sessions with a therapist (usually a licensed clinical social worker) and everything is kept confidential and completely seperate from your employment records.

-Private counseling centers: Some private counseling centers also offer variable fees, where families with limited means are charged fees based on their income and sometimes allow for a monthly payment plan.

-Your local church/synagogue/temple: Many places of worship offer spirituality-based pastoral counseling and support groups for little to no cost. The pastor/rabbi/religious leader may be a lay counselor or have additional training in mental health counseling or even a professional degree, while the support groups are usually run by lay persons.

-Your primary care doctor or gynecologist: May be able to refer you to a local mental health center for therapy, and prescribe medication to help you. Doctors may also know of psychologists who see patients on a sliding fee scale.

-Your local hospital's patient assistance program: Most hospitals provide a patient assistance program, in which the cost of services are discounted on a sliding-fee scale based on your income, and not only applies to inpatient services, but also applies to community services affiliated with the hospital or health care system, including primary care and family planning centers, pharmacies, mental health counseling, etc. To find out if your local hospital offers a patient assistance program and for details and limitations, contact your local hospital's patient accounts, patient billing, or patient advocacy office and ask about financial assistance programs for patients.

-Your local community information directory: Most communities have a community information directory operated by the local United Way or a similiar organization, with a 211 or similiar number. These directories keep a usually pretty up-to-date listing of a wide range of community-based programs.

Covenent House Nineline
This is a 24-hour, toll-free crisis hotline which provides crisis intervention, referral and information services to homeless, runaway and other troubled youth and their families throughout the U.S. With a database of over 26,000 agencies, trained crisis counselors are able to refer callers to help in their own communities.
1-800-999-9999
1-800-999-9915 TTY

Kid Help
Children and adolescents in crisis will receive immediate help. Referrals to shelters, mental health services, sexual abuse treatment, substance abuse, family counseling, residential care, adoption/foster care, etc.
1-800-543-7283

Kristin Brooks Hope Center
These are 24-hour, toll-free crisis hotlines for those facing a mental health crisis
1-800-SUICIDE (442-4673) or 1-800-442-HOPE
1-800-SUICIDA (784-2432) Hablamos Espanol
1-877-YOUTHLINE (968-8454) Teen to teen peer counseling hotline
1-800-GRADHLP (472-3457)  Grad student hotline
1-800-PPD-MOMS (773-6667) Post partum depression hotline
http://www.hopeline.com/gethelpnow.html

NAMI Helpline National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
1-800-950-NAMI (M-F, 10am-5pm, Eastern time)
http://www.nami.org/

National Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center
858-481-1515 (not toll free)
www.edreferral.com/

National Suicide Hotline
1-888-248-2587

National Self-Injury Hotline
SAFE (Self Abuse Finally Ends) Alternatives Program
http://www.selfinjury.com/
1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)

National Teen Crisis Hotlines
http://teenadvice.about.com/cs/gethelpnow/

National Youth Crisis and Suicide Hotline (United States)
1.800.621.4000

Panic Disorder Information Hotline
1-800-64-PANIC

State-by State Suicide Hotlines Directory
National Toll-Free Hotline Number: 1-800-784-2433
24 hours / 7 days a week
http://suicidehotlines.com/

Suicide: Read This First
www.metanoia.org/suicide/

The Trevor HelpLine
Specializing in gay and lesbian youth suicide prevention
1-800-850-8078

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
Post-Partum Support International
http://www.postpartum.net/

Suicide and Mental Health Association International
http://suicideandmentalhealthassociationinternational.org/

Argentina:
Asociación de Lucha contra Bulimia y Anorexia
Combate de los Pozos 2193
Buenos Aires, Argentina 1245
Phone: 011 4306-0033
Toll-free: 0800 222 ALUBA
http://www.aluba.org/

Australia:
Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health
An information site in depression and other mental health illnesses.
http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/

Beyond Blue
Beyondblue is a national, independent, not for profit organization working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. It is a good source of information about depression and its consequences. It does not offer a hotline service.
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/

DepressionNet
http://www.depressionet.com.au/

Eating Disorders Resource Centre -
53 Railway Tce
Milton, Qld, 4064
Australia
Phone: (07) 3876 2500
www.uq.net.au/eda/documents/start.html

Eating Disorders Support Network (EDSN)
PO Box 532
Willoughby NSW 2068
Phone: (02) 9412 4499
http://www.edsn.asn.au/

Mind Matters
A mental health promotional site aimed at secondary school children.
http://online.curriculum.edu.au/mindmatters/index.htm

Mood Gym
Delivers online cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression.
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/

Reach Out
An online information site about depression and other mental illnesses.
http://www.reachout.com.au/home.asp

Sane
Offers a 9-5 pm EST informational telephone service plus online information about for depression sufferers wanting to re-enter the workforce.
1800 18 SANE (7263)
http://www.sane.org/

Canada:
Center for Suicide Prevention
http://www.suicideinfo.ca/

National Eating Disorders Information Centre
200 Elizabeth Street CW 1-211, Toronto, Canada
Phone: (416) 340-4156
Toll-free: 1-866-633-4220
http://www.nedic.ca/

National Eating Disorders Information Centre
Toll-free: 1-866-633-4220

Suicide Information and Education Center
http://www.siec.ca/

Norway:
Interessegruppa For Kvinner Med Spiseforstyrrelser
BOKS 8877
Youngstorget 0028
Oslo, Norway
Phone: 22 42 22 22
http://www.iks.no/

United Kingdom
BBC: Mental Health Conditions (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/index.shtm

Colchester Eating Disorder Support Centre
15 Queen Street
Colchester, Essex U.K.
Phone: 01206 710017
Help Line: 01206 563636
http://www.colchestereatingdisorders.org.uk/

Dealing with Sleep Problems and Insomnia
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthproblems/sleepproblems/sleepingwell.aspx
http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/insom.html

Eating Disorders Association
1st Floor, Windsor House
103 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich NR1 1DW UK
Phone: 0870 770 3256
Adult Help Line: 0845 634 1414
Youth Help Line: 0845 634 7650
Textphone: 01603 753322 (hearing impaired)
http://www.edauk.com/

Lifesigns
Support, information, and assistance for self-harmers
http://www.lifesigns.org.uk/

Making Sense of Anti-Depressants: Leaflet by mind.org
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Making+sense/Making+sense+of+antidepressants.htm

Mental Health Foundation
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk//

Royal College of Psychiatrists
Royal College of Psychiatrists - UK
17 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PG England
Phone: 020 7235 2351
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/

Stress Busting
Information and solutions for stress
http://www.stressbusting.co.uk/

United States
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/

American Association of Suicidology
To understand and prevent suicide as a means of promoting human well-being.
http://www.suicidology.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/

American Pyschological Association
http://www.apa.org/pyschnet

American Schizophrenia Association
(800) 847-3802

Anti-Depressant Database
http://www.coreynahman.com/antidepressantdrugsdatabase.html

Anxiety Disorder Association of America
http://www.adaa.org/

Bipolar.com
Information, support, and advocacy for persons with Bipolar Disorder
http://www.bipolar.com/

BPD World
Information, support, and advocacy for those with borderline personality disorder
http://www.bpdworld.org/

Breathing Exercises for Those with Anxiety Disorders
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/treatment/diaphragmatic_breathing.asp

Center for Child and Adolescent Development
http://www.challiance.org/ccad/neuro_research/welcome.shtml

Center for Post-Partum Health
Specializes in women's mental health concerns and life cycles changes around pregnancy and birth and the onset of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
http://www.postpartumhealth.com/

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
http://www.bpkids.org/

The Clinical Depression Page
http://www.geocities.com/angelmuzic78/depression.html

Confidential Online Depression Screening Test
Answer a few simple questions to determine if you are experiencing depressive symptoms. Provides a referral list and information on depression.
http://www.depression-screening.org/

Dealing with Sleep Problems and Insomnia
http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/

Depression After Delivery
Information and referrals for women suffering from depression during pregnancy, or after pregnancy (postpartum depression/PPD). Telephone support, support groups, etc.
Toll-free: 1-800-944-4773 (1-800-944-4PPD)

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org/

Depression and Related Affective Disorder Association
http://www.drada.org/

Depression Fallout
This is one of the oldest internet resource for the spouses, lovers, parents, children, and friends of those who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder and it continues to be a leading source of information and support.
http://depressionfallout.com/

Depression Guide
http://www.depression-guide.com/

Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (EDAP)
For answers to your questions, information, and nationwide referrals.
1-800-931-2237
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.com/

eMedicine Health: Depression
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/10289-1.asp

Families for Depression Awareness
http://www.familyaware.org/

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
http://www.ffcmh.org/

Freedom From Fear
National nonprofit mental illness advocacy organization helping those affected by anxiety, depression and related disorders with advocacy, education, research, and community support.
http://www.freedomfromfear.org/

Friends for Survival, Inc.
A national outreach program for survivors of suicide loss.
http://www.friendsforsurvival.org/

Healthy Minds (American Psychiatric Association) Psychiatric Disorder and Topic Information
http://healthyminds.org/disorderandtopicinfo.cfm

Healthy Minds (American Psychiatric Association): Let's Talk Facts Brochures
http://healthyminds.org/letstalkfacts.cfm

Healthy Place: America's Mental Health Channel
http://www.healthyplace.com/

Living with Depression
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/living/index.asp

McMan's Depression and Bipolar Web
http://mcmanweb.com/

Mental Health Services Locator
www.mentalhealth.org/databases/

Mental Health Information Center
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/

Mental Health InfoSource
1-800-447-4474
http://www.mhsource.com/

Mental Help Net
Promotes mental health and wellness education and advocacy
http://mentalhelp.net/

Mental Health Today
http://www.mental-health-today.com/

MGC Center for Women's Health
Mental Health Center at Mass. General Hospital helping women suffering from mood disturbances, bipolar, anxiety, etc.
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
http://www.narsad.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://nami.org/index.html

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders
847-831-3438

National Eating Disorders Association
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

National Depressive & Manic-Depressive Association
1-800-826-3632
http://www.ndmda.org/

National Foundation for Depressive Illness
1(800) 248-4344

National Institute of Mental Health Information Line
Provides information and literature on mental illness by disorder - for professionals and general public.
1-800-647-2642
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

National Mental Health Association
Provides free information on specific disorders, referral directory to mental health providers, national directory of local mental health associations
1-800-969-6642 (M-F, 9-5 EST)
http://www.nmha.org/

National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network
1-800-789-CMHS

OASSIS (Organization for Attempters and Survivors of Suicide in Interfaith Services)
http://www.oassis.org/

Obessive Compulsive Foundation
http://www.ocfoundation.org/

Online PPD Support Group
Offers information, support and assistance to those dealing with postpartum mood disorders, their families, friends, physicians and counselors.
http://www.ppdsupportpage.com/index.html

Pediatric Depression Experience Journals
Run by Children’s Hospital of Boston contains narratives from children with depression who have been treated at Children’s, and their parents and clinicians.
http://www.experiencejournal.com/depression/index.shtml

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance
A group of professional and advocacy organizations, providing educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD; and medical, healthcare and other frontline professionals.
http://www.ptsdalliance.org/

Pysch Central: Depression Information and Treatment
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/depression/

Psyke: Self-Injury Information and Support (Prevention/Intervention Focus)
http://www.psyke.org/

Schizophrenia - Information, Support, Education
http://www.schizophrenia.com/

Stress Busters
Information and and techniques for stress suffers
http://www.mindtools.com/smpage.html

Stress Management and Emotional Wellness Links
http://www.imt.net/~randolfi/StressLinks.html

Suicidal.com: When No One Knows Your Pain (Prevention/intervention focus)
http://www.suicidal.com/

Suicide and Suicide Prevention
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.suicide.html

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
http://www.save.org/

Suicide Grief Support Forum
A support site by and for those who've lost friends and loved ones to suicide.
http://www.suicidegrief.com/

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA (SPAN USA)
http://www.spanusa.org/

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
http://www.sprc.org/

TheSite.org: Mental Health and Wellbeing
General website detailing information on mental health issues including self-harm, depression, anxiety, and BDD.
http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth

WebMD: Depression
http://my.webmd.com/medical_information/condition_centers/depression/default.htm

What Can I Do?
If someone you know is considering suicide. From the Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/masecard/what.html

Wings of Madness Depression Guide
http://www.wingofmadness.com/index.htm

Women's Garden of Self Esteem
http://www.angelfire.com/psy/esteem/index.html

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
1-800-999-9999
http://www.yellowribbon.org/


Runaway Children/Teens Helplines

Hotlines:
Australia
Kids Help Line
Toll-free: 1-800-55-1800
24-hour toll-free hotline for children and youth throughout Australia.

Canada:
Kids Help Phone
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868
Canada's only toll-free national hotline for children and youth. Bilingual (English and French).

nited Kingdom
CHILDULINE UK
Freephone: 0800 11 11
http://www.childline.org.uk/  
Free, 24-hour, national helpline for children and youth in trouble or danger throughout the UK.

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Careline
Counselling for children, young people and adults
Phone: 020 8514 1177

United States
National Runaway Switchboard
Provides crisis intervention and travel assistance to runaways. Gives referrals to shelters nationwide. Also relays messages to, or sets up conference calls with, parents at the request of the child. Has access to AT&T-Language Line.
1-800-621-0394
TDD (for hearing-impaired): 1-800-621-4000
24-hour crisis line, referrals to shelters, food, counseling, travel assistance.
http://www.nrscrisisline.org/

Covenent House Nineline
This is a 24-hour, toll-free crisis hotline which provides crisis intervention, referral and information services to homeless, runaway and other troubled youth and their families throughout the U.S. With a database of over 26,000 agencies, trained crisis counselors are able to refer callers to help in their own communities.
1-800-999-9999
1-800-999-9915 TTY

Kid Help
Children and adolescents in crisis will receive immediate help. Referrals to shelters, mental health services, sexual abuse treatment, substance abuse, family counseling, residential care, adoption/foster care, etc.
1-800-543-7283

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
National Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST
www.ncmec.org/

Youth Crisis Hotline
1-800-HIT-HOME
Services for runaway/homeless youth, referrals to resources for abuse, crisis counseling.

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:


Safe Infant Abandonment

Hotlines:
United States:
AMT Children of Hope Foundation
Toll-free: 1-877-796-4673
Nationwide 24 hour crisis line. Confidential referrals to "Safe Havens" and professional services.

Project Cuddle, Baby Rescue Program
Toll-free: 1-888-628-3353
Nationwide 24 hour crisis line. All calls are confidential and they will help you find a safe, legal alternative to abandonment.

Safe Place for Newborns
Toll Free Crisis Hotline: 1-877-440-2229
Will provide list of hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin which accept healthybabies up to three days old, with no questions asked. Will provide
information on other states with "Safe Place" programs.


STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)/HIV Information, Testing, and Treatment

Hotlines:
Africa:
HIV/AIDS Hotline South Africa
Phone: 011 0800 012 322

HIV/AIDS Hotline Nigeria
Phone: 01 772 2200 or 01 773 2201

Australia:
Albion Street Centre
150 - 154 Albion Street
Surrey Hills, NSW 2101 Australia
Phone: (02) 9332 9600
www.sesahs.nsw.gov.au/albionstcentre
Albion Street Centre is the only major Australian multidisciplinary centre dealing exclusively with HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis-C.

United Kingdom:
AIDS FONDS
Keizersgracht 390 - 392, 1015 GB
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Phone: 020 62 62 669
http://www.aidsfonds.nl/
Original Dutch HIV/AIDS charity offers financial, social, and psychosocial assistance for persons with HIV or AIDS, and information in Dutch and English.

AIDS Map
Lincoln House
1 Brixton Road
London, SW9 6DE
United Kingdom
Phone: 020 7840 0050
http://www.aidsmap.com/
Info regarding AIDS and its treatment, including referrals to free HIV/AIDS clinics throughout the U.K.

Get Connected
Referral service, will find young people the best place that can help whatever the problem
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Sexwise
Confidential help for under 18’s on anything to do with sex, relationships and contraception
Freephone: 0800 28 29 30

United States:
HIV Testing FAQs and Testing Site Locator
http://www.hivtest.org/

CDC National STD Hotline
Provides STD information and referrals to clinics nationwide.
www.ashastd.org/NSTD/index.html

National Herpes Hotline
Provides herpes information and referrals to clinics or support groups.
www.ashastd.org/hrc/index.html

CDC National AIDS Hotline 1-800-342-AIDS (2437) English
1-800-344-7432 Espanol
1-800-243-7889 Deaf Access (TTY)
(24 hours, 7 days a week)
www.ashastd.org/nah/index.html

Teens and AIDS Hotline
1-800-440-TEEN

Project Inform
(treatment info.)
1-800-822-7422
http://www.projinf.org/

Home Access home test
1-800-HIV-TEST

Covenent House Nineline
This is a 24-hour, toll-free crisis hotline which provides crisis intervention, referral and information services to homeless, runaway and other troubled youth and their families throughout the U.S. With a database of over 26,000 agencies, trained crisis counselors are able to refer callers to help in their own communities.
1-800-999-9999
1-800-999-9915 TTY

Kid Help
Children and adolescents in crisis will receive immediate help. Referrals to shelters, mental health services, sexual abuse treatment, substance abuse, family counseling, residential care, adoption/foster care, etc.
1-800-543-7283

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
National Minority AIDS Council
1931 13th Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20009
202-483-6622 (not toll-free)

AIDS & Adolescents Network
666 Broadway, Ste. 520
New York, NY 10012

Informational/Prevention Organizations and Websites:
United States:
Avert Foundation - Information HIV/AIDS and STDs and Prevention
http://www.avert.org/

Healthy Minds (American Psychiatric Association) Fact Sheets: Coping with AIDS and HIV
http://healthyminds.org/copingwithaidsandhiv.cfm



Last  Updated: 2-14-11

Re-Examining the Becky Bell Story

It is a well-known statement, made by abortion right advocates that  an Indiana parental consent abortion law led to Becky Bell's death.

Rebecca (Becky) Bell was the daughter of Bill and Karen Bell. Becky lived with her parents and brother in a small town near Indianapolis, Indiana. Becky became pregnant her junior year of high school in 1988, unknown to her parents. Around 4 months into her pregnancy, Becky became mysteriously ill and suddenly began her menstrual period. Despite medical efforts, she died from hemorrhage and an infection which destroyed her lungs.  The details surrounding her death are contraversial. Both Becky's parents and abortion rights advocates claim that because Becky was unable to obtain a legal abortion due to Indiana's parental consent laws, she saught an illegal abortion which caused the infection that cost her life. Anti-abortion advocates argue that Becky had miscarried and the lung infection, caused by a common form of pneumonia, killed her. I think both sides carry some truth to the story. In this entry, I will be looking at the legal facts, medical information, and personal testimonies to provide a broader explination of what may have occured, leading to the death of Rebecca Bell.

The Law
According to Indiana Code 16-34-2-4: Written consent of parent or guardian of unemancipated pregnant woman under 18 years of age; conditions of waiver; representation by attorney; appeal; confidential records; emergency abortions
Sec. 4. (a) No physician shall perform an abortion on an unemancipated pregnant woman less than eighteen (18) years of age without first having obtained the written consent of one (1) of the parents or the legal guardian of the minor pregnant woman.
    (b) A minor:
        (1) who objects to having to obtain the written consent of her parent or legal guardian under this section; or
        (2) whose parent or legal guardian refuses to consent to an abortion;
may petition, on her own behalf or by next friend, the juvenile court for a waiver of the parental consent requirement under subsection (a).
    (c) A physician who feels that compliance with the parental consent requirement in subsection (a) would have an adverse effect on the welfare of the pregnant minor or on her pregnancy may petition the juvenile court within twenty-four (24) hours of the abortion request for a waiver of the parental consent requirement under subsection (a).
    (d) The juvenile court must rule on a petition filed by a pregnant minor under subsection (b) or by her physician under subsection (c) within forty-eight (48) hours of the filing of the petition. Before ruling on the petition, the court shall consider the concerns expressed by the pregnant minor and her physician. The requirement of parental consent under this section shall be waived by the juvenile court if the court finds that the minor is mature enough to make the abortion decision independently or that an abortion would be in the minor's best interests (1).

Why don't teenagers tell their parents of their pregnancy?
In my personal experience of working with teenagers facing an unplanned/unwanted pregnancy and I'm sure family planning clinic workers can echo this, the common reasons given are:
Fear of rejection, dissapointment, stigma, legal reprocussion, abuse, and/or unsupportive parents; independent/self-sufficient; doesn't wish to burden guardian/care provider

What percent of teenagers tell their parents about their pregnancy freely?One study dated from 1982 shows 37% told the mother and 26% told the father (2).  More recent research has found "Many adolescents had talked to parents about sexual issues (50–80%, depending on the topic) and reported high levels of connectedness with parents (68%). A substantial minority (19%) perceived that parents disapprove of their both having sex and using birth control. The majority (60%) reported that a parent knew of their [family planning] clinic visit; such reports were most common among those who had high levels of connectedness to parents and communication with parents about sexual issues, and those who did not perceive parents to disapprove of sex and birth control." (3)

Testimonies

Introductions
This is Karen Bell's story: 'Becky and I were very close. She was an easy child, gentle and innocent. I would worry sometimes about my son, Billy, but never about Becky. She loved horses, music, school and life itself. When Becky was 16, she began dating a friend of Billy's. She was crazy about him. He was a rebel and completely different from her, but that's who she loved.

Soon after Becky turned 17, I noticed that she seemed quieter than usual. One evening she asked to go to a party on the south side of town. I said, "Becky, I don't want you to go to the south side, it's not safe there." I had a feeling that something wasn't right, but my son said, "My God, Mom, let Becky go. You protect her too much, and she's been sad lately
I let her go.' (4)

Gannett News Service Article Dated November 24, 1989
Abortion Law: Fatal Effect?

' Rebecca Bell died at age 17 because she was afraid to talk to her parents.

For years, she had treated her mother like her best friend, but that was before she got pregnant. After that, Rebecca hid her medical condition from her family, convinced they would throw her out of the house.

 She tried to get an abortion near her home in Indianapolis, Ind., but was turned away because state law required her to get approval from her parents. In the end, she died in silence, after hemorrhaging for hours and developing pneumonia from an abortion-related infection.

''She loved (her parents) so much, she couldn't bear telling them,'' said Heather Clark, Bell's friend and the only person who know about the pregnancy.

Now, all Rebecca's parents can do is decorate their daughter's grave and wonder why Rebecca had to suffer by herself.

How Rebecca's abortion occurred remains a mystery. Her mother believes Rebecca got an illegal abortion. Rebecca's best friend thinks she had a spontaneous abortion.' (5)

Becky's Life
' The Bells never thought this would happen to their daughter. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl was a cheerleader in junior high, and often bubbled with enthusiasm. She kept posters of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe on her bedroom walls, and was almost always fighting for some cause.

One year, she raised money for the Humane Society, turning cartwheels for cash until her hands were covered with blisters, her mother said. Before she died, she had become interested in the plight of the American Indian.

For years, the Bell household was filed with Rebecca's friends. They remember spending some time with the family eating pancakes, which Rebecca's mother made in the shape of bunnies, with chocolate chips as eyes.

Among her closest friends was her mother. They were so close—they even discussed sex.

"I just can't imagine doing anything. It just makes me sick,'' Karen Bell remembers her daughter telling her.

''Then,'' she said, ''she met this monster.''

Rebecca's last love was a high school dropout, according to family and friends. They claim he was violent and introduced her to drugs.

''It was a sick love,'' Clark said. ''She was so obsessed by him.''

Clark said she knew that Rebecca and the boy had been having sex, but that he swore to Rebecca he was sterile because of some early childhood disease. And before long, Rebecca feared she was pregnant, which her mother learned about through a family friend.

Karen Bell rushed her daughter to Planned Parenthood for tests, which proved to be negative. Later, she and her husband put Rebecca in a detoxification center for seven weeks, to rid her of her new drug habit.

''Becky, I don't want to go through this again,'' William Bell recalls telling his daughter.

But Rebecca remembered that conversation differently, Clark said, recalling repeatedly that her parents told her if she messed up one more time, she'd be thrown out of the house.

The Pregnancy

So, when Rebecca feared she was pregnant the second time, she confided only in Clark. Together, they went to Planned Parenthood, where a counselor confirmed their fears and told them about the Indiana parental-consent law, Clark said. '  (5)

' So when 17-year-old Becky learned that she really was pregnant, she turned to her best friend Heather for help. Together they explored her options.' (6)

' ''I hate this baby. I cannot have this baby. This is the devil's baby,'' Rebecca told Clark after leaving the clinic. ''She just thought her boyfriend was such a bad person that the baby would have to be, too.'' ' (5).

If Becky were to get an abortion in Indiana, she would have to tell her parents. After being threatened with being thrown out of the family home, Becky rejected that option. Perhaps Becky could drive to Kentucky for an abortion. Perhaps she could go to a home for unwed mothers in California. Becky seemed undecided.'(6)

The Final Days of her Life
' One Saturday night, Rebecca came home late, even though she was supposed to spend the night with a friend.

''Mom, forgive me. I know I'm late,'' her mother recalls her saying. ''I wanted to be home in my own bed. Mommy, I'm so sick. I feel like somebody put something in my drink.'' '(5)

' "I was laying awake in bed waiting for her to come home. At 12:45 in the morning, I heard her trying to open the door. She was crying, and said, "Mom, it was a horrible party. I feel like I've got the flu like Dad." Beck never lied; I never doubted what she said. I told her to go to bed and she would feel better in the morning. '(4)

' Karen Bell believes her daughter had someone try to induce an illegal abortion that night. ''She'd gone to a bad part of town.'' she said.

Clark insists her friend did nothing of the sort, saying Rebecca talked about getting a legal abortion in Kentucy until she died. She thinks Rebecca had a spontaneous abortion. ' (4)

This is one place where there is conflicting testimony. Did she go to a friend's party or to get an illegal abortion? There are a few indications that  Becky was still undecided as to whether or not carry her pregnancy to term 1)Her pregnancy was progressing and she was already in her 4th month, an indication of indecisiveness and inaction. And referring back to the testimony of her friend Heather Clark, 'During the four months of her pregnancy, though, Rebecca wavered about her decision, Clark said. She contemplated a trip to a Kentucky abortion clinic or running away to California, where she planned to have the baby and put it up for adoption. Most of the time, she said, Rebecca favored the abortion, but she kept postponing her trip out of state. ' (5) Receipts and notes found in her purse at a later time by her mother would verify this (5). But back to the present:

' But she did not [get better]. After school on Monday, she still felt sick. By Wednesday she had a fever of 104 and a strange cough. I told her we were going to the doctor. She turned white. She said, "Mom, oh Mom, please, oh please, I don't want to go. Just give me some aspirin, I'll be okay, please, please."

She was nearly hysterical, so I respected her wishes.'(4)

' ''She had a real sharp pain in her chest,'' Clark recalled. ''She knew if she went to the doctor, they'd be able to tell (she was pregnant), and the doctor would tell her parents.''

Rebecca told her parents she had the flu, which her father believed since he'd just recovered from a similar illness. The flu, however, was really pneumonia, triggered by the infection in her womb. The Bells said they repeatedly tried to persuade their daughter to go the doctor, but she refused. ' (5)

This is another point of conflicting information. Was there a uterine infection as well as damage, indicative of a clandestine abortion preformed on her? Was the pneumonia in her lungs triggered by a possible infection in her uterus or a seperate occuring illness?

' By Thursday, ''She was so sick, she could not breathe.'' Clark said. ''She couldn't lay down all the way.''

Still, Rebecca asked Clark to make a Saturday appointment at the Kentucky abortion clinic. As she lay dying, Clark said Rebecca requested she call one of her friends, who'd gone to the Kentucky clinic. That girl described the procedure to Rebecca.

All the while, Rebecca's mother had no clue what was going on. She didn't understand why her daughter kept muttering, ''Nothing's happening.'' Now, she realizes that Rebecca was anxiously awaiting the onset of a miscarriage. ' (5)

It is not unheard of for a woman undecided and unsure about how to progress handling the pregnancy to wait and hope that the pregnancy will take care of itself, ending in a miscarriage. A book entitled, In Good Conscience: A Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Guide to Deciding Whether to Have an Abortion, advises, "Don’t Wait for a Miscarriage: A miscarriage will not save you pain or having to deal with your pregnancy." (7)

That Friday Becky began to bleed.

'...perhaps in an attempt to strengthen her to fight the ravaging infection in her lungs, Becky's body rejected her unborn baby.'(6)

''Mommy, I started.'' she said with a smile, her mother recalls, thinking that meant her daughter had started menstruating. She said she thought it was odd her daughter was happy. Rebecca usually dreaded her period since she often had cramps.' (5) Once the bleeding began, Becky, having probably though her pregnancy over, agreed to see a doctor. But the damage had already been done.

' She was so weak that my husband and I had to carry her to the car. The doctor sent us immediately to the hospital. We put her in the backseat and she asked me to sit next to her. I held her close. '(4)

Neither she nor her husband learned about the pregnancy until they talked to a doctor at the hospital, who said, ''I don't know whether we're going to be able to save the baby.'' ' (5) ' Karen Bell recalled that she told the doctor, "Never mind that baby! Save my baby!" '(6)

'The nuns and nurses at St. Vincent Hospital, where we have taken her for everything, kept asking Beck, "What have you done to yourself?" I heard the nurses say her veins had collapsed. They put oxygen on her, but Becky pulled the mask off. I leaned down and said, "Honey, tell Mom, tell me, honey." She said, "Mom, Dad, I love you, forgive me." And that was it. Her heart stopped. '(4)

' Bill and I went home. I don't know where Billy went. I don't know where anybody went. There are no words to describe how Bill and I felt. We just kept saying, "Oh my God, my baby, oh my God." '(4)
At Becky's funeral, the minister gave the following advice, 'Becky did not have to die,'' the minister said, urging the children always to seek help. ''You can never make a mistake or commit a sin that cannot be forgiven. . . . Don't count your parents out. Even though you may not have the greatest relationship, they love you and are in your corner.''

'I told Bill that I did not want people talking about Becky. We grew up in a small community. Everybody idolized us. We were the perfect couple -- the perfect family. I didn't want people to call her a whore. We agreed to say that Beck died of pneumonia. It wasn't a lie. The death certificate listed the cause of death as septic abortion with pneumonia.' (4)

' ''If only she'd been able to go to a clean place and take care of herself,'' Rebecca's mother said. '(5)

Actually, the autopsy report said septic, abortion with pneumonia."

So apparently the coroner told the Bells that their daughter had died of an illegal botched abortion. However, based on the death certificate, the correct term would of been a septic abortion with pneumonia. There is a difference. What the report indicates is Becky had sepsis, infection of the blood, spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), and pneumonia. Also, there's a strong indication that Becky's parents were concerned with stigma and their reputation and would of supported Becky in choosing an abortion anyways.

' Desperate to find some meaning in their daughter's death, the Bells latched onto the term, "septic abortion." Perhaps, like most laymen, they didn't realize that a miscarriage is a form of abortion -- what's called a "spontaneous abortion." That still leaves the mystery of where the work "septic" came from, since according to the coroner's report, Becky's reproductive tract was healthy and free of injury or infection. But however the idea arose, Becky's family decided that Becky must have sought an illegal abortion. Abortion advocates caught wind of the story and recruited the Bells as spokesmen against parental involvement laws. '(6)

"Pro-choice" and Feminist organizations, especially Planned Parenthood and Eleanor Smeal's "Feminist Majority Fund," immediately seized on Becky Bell's death and stated as fact that it was directly caused by Indiana's parental consent laws. They dubbed Becky the "first known victim of parental consent laws" and launched massive media campaign and enlisted her parents to hit the talk show and lecture circuit to denounce parental notification and consent laws all over the country - the law that they claimed "caused Becky's death." As Ms. Magazine put it, "She Died Because of a Law." (8)
The Medical Evidence and Why Becky Died:

This event received a lot of media attention for awhile, until the National Right to Life Committee got a copy of the post-mortem report, which showed no sign of either induced abortion or infection in or near the reproductive organs. What the report did show was that Becky Bell died of a deadly and fast-acting form of pneumonia, similar to that which killed Muppets creator Jim Henson, which had neither originated in nor had affected the reproductive system. She had contracted this especially lethal form of pneumonia at about the same time that she had a miscarriage.
Various doctors have confirmed that Becky Bell did not die from an induced abortion. Dr. John Curry, former head of the Tissue Bank at Bethesda Naval Hospital, reviewed the coroner's pathology report. He noted that the report listed massive infection in Becky Bell's lungs and in other areas of her body, but there was no evidence of infection on the outside of her uterus or within it. He also stated that the germ that killed her was a common pneumonia germ "... which is unlikely to originate from a contaminated abortion procedure." (9)
The physician who personally examined Becky's body, Dr. John Pless, head of forensic pathology at Indiana University Medical Center, stated that "I cannot prove she had an illegal abortion. I cannot prove she had anything but a spontaneous abortion [miscarriage]." (10)

Former abortion provider Dr. Bernard Nathanson also concluded, after examining the medical evidence, that: "There is no infection in or around the uterus, no pus, no odor to the uterus, and no peritonitis. The serosa of the uterus is described as "smooth and glistening. In the case of a septic abortion, this tissue would be shaggy and discolored ... Indeed, there is no evidence for an induced abortion at all: no marks or stigmata of instrumentation in the genital tract ... In short, the cause of death here was probably overwhelming pneumonia unrelated to the abortion/ miscarriage." (11)

"I tracked down the doctor who performed Becky Bell's autopsy, Jesse Giles. Incredibly enough, Becky Bell's parents, who talk so glibly about what the autopsy report supposedly discloses, never bothered to talk to the doctor who wrote the report. When Giles wrote the word "abortion" in his autopsy report, he never imagined that abortion advocates would one day look over his shoulder and seize upon that word to promote their agenda. Giles used the word "abortion" in the way it had always been used in medicine prior to the national debate. He meant a spontaneous abortion. In short, he meant a miscarriage. If Giles had meant a deliberate, surgical abortion, he would have used the word "induced" to describe it. Giles told me that there is no evidence of an induced abortion, and in his professional opinion Becky Bell suffered a miscarriage." (12)
"Unfortunately, another pathologist stuck the word "septic" immediately before the word "abortion" on the report's cover page. That word has also been seized upon as proof positive that a botched, unsterile abortion had been performed. But the autopsy report has not the slightest evidence to support any "septic" condition in Becky Bell's uterus. The autopsy found no infection, no sepsis, no pus, no peritonitis, no odor, no discolored tissue, no infected blood. Indeed, the tissue lining Becky's uterus was described as "smooth and glistening," a state inconsistent with a "septic" diagnosis." (12)
Finally, Dr. Curtis Harris, president of the American Academy of Medical Ethics, consulted in detail with four leading specialists in the fields of infectious disease, infertility, pathology, and obstetrics/gynecology. The opinion of these five national experts was unanimous : That Becky Bell had an incomplete miscarriage ( not an induced abortion); that her uterus was not marked or infected at all; and that the cause of her death was pneumonia brought on by the aspiration of vomit, and that this pathology was not related to the miscarriage in any manner. (9)

The autopsy on her body was carried out by Jesse C. Giles, M.D., a pathologist in the Forensic Division of the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Giles made a post mortem examination of the reproductive organs of Rebecca Bell and upon gross and microscopic examination of these organs found:

"The uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are present. They are of usual size and shape for age. No tumors are present. There is evidence of recent pregnancy with recent partial abortion. The uterus is enlarged consistent with current pregnancy of age approximately 2-3 months. The cervix is dilated uniformly without evidence of mucosal or submucosal injury. Extruding from the cervical os is hemorraghic and necrotic red-tan and grey-brown tissue consistent with products of conception. The lower third of the uterine cavity has only the flat mucosa without obvious evidence of instrumentation. However, the upper 2/3 of the uterine cavity has a mixture of blood clot and necrotic and hemmorraghic products of conception. There are no recognizable fetal parts, and the amniotic membrance has been ruptured, leaving only a small area recognizable as thin blue-tan glistening membranes. There is no evidence of hydatid mole or invasive chorio-carcinoma. The serosa of the uterus is smooth and glistening and without exudate, and there are no areas of perforation or pus in or around the uterus. The right ovary has a 1 x 1 1/2 x 1 inch bright yellow corpus luteum. The remainder of the ovaries shows unremarkable for age ovaries. There are no injuries of the vagina." (13)



Pro-choice groups comtinue to use Becky's death for their case against parental consent and notification laws, despite Becky quite possibly having had parents who would of supported her in her decision and despite her cause of death as massive pneumonia and septic shock, unrelated to her miscarriage or an illegal abortion.

Conclusion
Lastly, we cannot avoid the fact that even if Becky Bell does not fit NARAL's scenario of having died of an illegal abortion, it's quite possible that another girl someday will. An exaggerated fear of Mom and Dad finding out can be powerful even in teens from happy families. The existence of such typical adolescent fear is not an argument against the law; for the teen's sake, the parents have the right and obligation to assist in such momentous health care situations. Most girls will do what they always have--take a deep breath and go ahead and tell their parents (again, advocacy programs can make this step much easier). Yet there is no doubt that some desperate and confused young women will seek an abortion.
http://www.feministsforlife.org/FFL_topics/after/beckbell.htm

Footnotes:
(1) Indiana Code
http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title16/ar34/ch2.html

(2) Why Can't We Love Them Both
By Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Wilke
Chapter 28: Parental Notification and Becky Bell 
http://www.catholic.net/rcc/loveboth/chapter28.html

(3) Parent-Child Relations Among Minor Females Attending U.S. Family Planning Clinics
By Rachel K. Jones, Susheela Singh, and Alison Purcell
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2005, 37(4):192–201
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3719205.pdf

(4) Medical Students for Choice
Becky Bell: A Mother's Story
Reprinted from Choices: Women Speak Out About Abortion, with the permission of NARAL.
http://ms4c.org/update/598bell.htm

(5) 1999 Child Custody Protection Act Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives
One Hundred Fifth Congress
Second Session on H.R. 3682
May 21, 1998
Serial No. 102
Pages 18 through 26
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju58271.000/hju58271_0.HTM

(6) A Tale of Two Abortions
By Christina Dunigan
cdunigan@hotmail.com
Featured Rightgrrl March 1999
August 15, 1999
http://www.rightgrrl.com/99grrls/March/Christina_D/abortion2.html  


(7) In Good Conscience: A Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Guide to Deciding Whether to Have an Abortion
by Anna Runkle
Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, copyright 1998

(8) Rochelle Sharp, "She Died Because of a Law," Ms., July/August 1990, 80-81.
Linked from: http://www.gargaro.com/beckybell.html

9) Dave Andrusko. "They Have No Shame!" National Right to Life News , August 16, 1990.

10) Joe Frolik. Cleveland Plain Dealer , September 9, 1990, page 1.

11) Bernard Nathanson, M.D. "In Memoriam: The Becky Bell Story." Bernadell Technical Bulletin, November 1990, pages 4 and 5.

12) James A. Miller. "In Indiana and Maryland, a tale of two abortions" The Baltimore Sun, February 15, 1991

13) Autopsy report: "Rebecca Suzanne Bell." By Jesse C. Giles. Forensic Division, Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, September 17, 1988, 7:30 A.M. Signatories: John E. Pless, M.D. (Forensic Pathologist, Division of Forensic Pathology) & Jesse C. Giles, M.D. (Fellow in Forensic Pathology, Division of Forensic Pathology).
Sources to use:
http://ms4c.org/update/598bell.htm
http://tigtogblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/anti-choice-spin-on-parental-consent.html
http://www.catholic.net/rcc/loveboth/chapter28.html
http://www.gargaro.com/beckybell.html
http://www.rightgrrl.com/99grrls/March/Christina_D/abortion2.html
http://www.feministsforlife.org/FFL_topics/after/beckbell.htm
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju58271.000/hju58271_0.HTM