The Office of Consumer Affairs acts as a conduit for consumer opinions and views which will be integrated into our policy and our programs. The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) is committed to being responsive to consumers. That means that the Division will listen to comments and complaints from consumers and has organized a consumer group to provide input into our planning process.

In 2013, DSAMH launched a new Consumer Issue Resolution Hotline 855 number for clients who are experiencing issues with the Delaware mental health and substance use treatment system. The number, 855.649.7944, is answered by the Director of Consumer Affairs during business hours and will record caller messages in the event the Director is not available (after hours).

The Office of Consumer Affairs performs advocacy services for consumers who are receiving treatment from the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health by direct or contracted provider agencies, either a mental health or an substance use provider.

Advocacy services include:

• working with the consumer and the service provider to resolve grievances
• attending meetings with the consumer
• and other similar services

Contact the Office of Consumer Affairs for more information about advocacy.

The Delaware Consumer Recovery Coalition (DCRC)is a statewide, mental health advocacy organization devoted to individual transformation, systems transformation, and community inclusion for all Delawareans recovering from mental illnesses. DCRC holds monthly meetings in each county in Delaware. The purpose is to gather for mutual support, self-help and advocacy. Find meeting times and locations on DCRC's website, DelawareRecovery.org.

A peer specialist is a consumer who, through training and experience, works to support peers who need the support. A peer specialist is in the process of recovering from a mental illness and/or addiction. Peer specialists can run support groups, participate in training opportunities for other consumers, and participate on treatment teams to advocate for resources needed by consumers. A peer specialist shares their lived experience as a way of helping other consumers. Peer specialists will be hired by the Delaware Psychiatric Center in the capacities of peer support specialist and bridge peer specialist. A bridge peer specialist helps consumers as they transition from one level of care to another. All peer specialists will have training in facilitating support groups.

Read this article by Gayle Bluebird, RN, for more information about peer support and its role in the behavioral health care system: Redefining Consumer Roles

This section serves as a Consumer Self-Help Center. It includes links to many resources, such as information about medication, support groups, agencies, as well as other useful information.

Reports and Research

There is a growing body of research relating to the recovery and wellness of individuals with a mental health and/or substance use condition. This section will be updated with new reports and research as they are introduced to the health care community. Be sure to check back for updates!

• Obesity Reduction & Prevention Strategies for
  Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
• The Wellness Model: Supporting Whole Person Recovery
• MedlinePlus: www.medlineplus.gov/
• National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov/

Self-Help Groups

• Adult Children of Alcoholics: www.adultchildren.org
• Alcoholics Anonymous: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
• Depression and Bipolar Support www.dbsalliance.org/
• Mental Health Self Help Clearinghouse: www.mhselfhelp.org/
• Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org
• National Alliance for Mental Illness in Delaware: www.namide.org/
• National Empowerment Center: www.power2u.org/
• Mental Health Association in Delaware: www.mhainde.org/
• Addiction Resources: https://addictionresource.com/
• Addiction Resources: https://startyourrecovery.org/

Have a suggestion for this page? Contact the Office of Consumer Affairs.