Anyone faced with dealing with a mental illness can be easily overwhelmed by the vast "alphabet soup" of organizations, government agencies and programs that touch the lives of persons with mental illness. In addition, there is the huge learning curve to be overcome concerning the illness itself, the brain and medications.

For assistance with the illnesses, the brain and medications, check out the following web locations:

• NAMI Helpline
• Internet Mental Health

This glossary is our attempt to help you understand the "players", the services available, and some of the concepts used in the world of mental health in Maryland. The glossary is derived from definitions from NAMI members and definitions from the following glossaries:

• Maryland Mental Hygiene Adminstration
• Common Acronyms, Training Institutes Conference on Developing Local Systems of Care in a Managed Care Environment for Children and Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances and their Families, June, 1998

Maryland Mental Health Glossary of Terms

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M

MA - Medical Assistance - A government program that pays medical costs for very low income people. Recipients of need-based cash benefit programs such as SSI, AFDC, and PAA are automatically covered by Medicaid in Maryland.

MACSA - Maryland Association of Core Service Agencies -The organization that represents the CSA directors. See CSA.

Managed care - A process used by insurers to reduce healthcare services deemed to be unnecessary.

MAPSS - Maryland Association of Psychiatric Support Services - A professional and advocacy group composed of most of Maryland's psychiatric rehabilitation program providers. Now known as Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland.

Maryland Council of CMHCs - Organization consisting of the directors of all community mental health centers in Maryland.

MCIE Maryland Coalition for Integrated Education

MCO - Managed Care Organization

MCPA - State of Maryland Medical Care Policy Administration (Medical Assistance) - The State agency that administers Maryland's Medical Assistance.

MDLC - The Maryland Disability Law Center. A private, non-profit organization providing free legal services to disabled individuals with legal problems such as abuse and neglect, discrimination in employment and other areas, special education, and public benefit entitlements.

Med Chi - Medical and Chirurgical Faculty. A professional organization for physicians.

Medical Assistance - See MA.

Medical Necessity - The purpose of Medical Necessity Criteria is to assist Care Managers (masters or doctoral level psychologists, social workers, or licensed psychiatric nurses with over five years of mental health experience) and board certified psychiatrists, during a clinical review to determine the most appropriate level of care and intensity of services and individual requires. Referral guidelines are of additional assistance in determining a particular program or services and the nature of those services within the specific level of care identified (e.g., crisis services might be provided within the supported community residential, intensive outpatient or traditional outpatient level of care). Referral guidelines are written for specific programs or services and are not meant to be all encompassing or to infer other services might not be authorized based upon individual need.

MH - Mental Health

MHA - Maryland Hospital Association

MHA - Mental Health Association. A volunteer advocacy organization that, through education and legislation, works to improve and expand mental health services, protect the rights of people with mental illnesses, improve attitudes toward people with mental illnesses, and promote mental health.

MHA - State of Maryland Mental Hygiene Adminstration. State agency responsible for funding and overseeing all State-supported mental health services. MHA is located in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

MHAC - Mental Health Advisory Committee - County-based citizens' committees established by State law that advise certain State and county officials on local mental health needs and issues. (Sometimes known as LMHAC- Local Mental Health Advisory Committee).

MHAW - Mental Illness Awareness Week (1st week in October- Federal) Most NAMI affiliates have activities to provide information to the public on mental illness during this week.

MHP - Maryland Health Partners - The Administrative Services Organization, (ASO) contracted by Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA) to assist the Core Service Agencies (CSAs) in managing the public mental health system. MHP is a limited liability corporation formed by two Maryland- based managed behavioral health care organizations- Green Spring Health Services, Inc. and CMG Health, Inc. As the agent of MHA and the CSM, MHP provides support services including access services, utilization management, management information systems services, claims processing, and evaluation services.

MHRPC - Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission - State agency charged with ongoing development of a State plan for health services. MHRPC determines need for various health services, limits and regulates the development of services according to needs.

MJCIA - Maryland Joint Commission on Interprofessional Affairs - A cooperative effort of the Maryland Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers - MD chapter, the Maryland Nurses Association and the Maryland Psychiatric Society.

MLCSW - Maryland Legislative Council of Social Workers - Consists of the Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work, Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work,  National Association of Social Workers, Metropolitan Washington Chapter, Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care, MD Chapter.

MNA - Maryland Nurses Association

MOU - Memorandum of Understanding

MPA - Maryland Psychological Association

MPS - Maryland Psychiatric Society

MPRC - Maryland Psychiatric Research Center - Performs research on schizophrenia in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Affiliated with University of Maryland.

MSCSW - Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work

MSDE - Maryland State Department of Education

MTS - Mobile Treatment Service - A unique combination of clinical and case management services for individuals whose needs have not been met by traditional services. The objective is to promote rehabilitation through the provision of care and services to select consumers with serious and persistent mental illnesses who are at greatest risk of relapse and hospitalization or who repeatedly utilized emergency service. This service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team.

Mobile Treatment Team - See MTS.

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N

NAMI - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

NAMI-CAN - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Children & Adolescents Network

NAMI-TAC - NAMI Treatment Advocacy Center. Founded in 1998.

NARSAD - National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders. Largest private foundation dedicated to research on brain disorders. NAMI was one of the four founding organizations.

NAPCWA - National Association for Public Child Welfare Administrators

NASDSE - National Association of State Directors of Special Education

NASMHPD - National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors - Coordinating advocacy group for State mental health program directors.

NASW - National Association of Social Workers

NCSL - National Conference of State Legislatures

NICCYH - National Information Center for Children & Youth w/Handicaps

NIDRR - National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

NIH - U.S. National Institutes of Health

NIMBY - "Not In My Back Yard." - Discriminatory attitude that inhibits implementation of a community program for individuals with serious disabilities.

NIMH - National Institute for Mental Health. - The federal institute that conducts and promotes research and public education regarding health issues. Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIMH is located in Rockville, Maryland.

NMHA - National Mental Health Association

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O

OCA Mental Hygiene Adminstration Office of Consumer Affairs - Implemented in FY 1995, this office is within MHA to promote consumer involvement in policy development and facilitate the development of consumer operated programs and services.

OCFY State of Maryland Office for Children, Youth, and Families - Governor's office responsible for interagency coordination of services for children and adolescents and their families.

OJJDP - U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention

OMB - U.S. Office of Management and Budget

OMHC - Outpatient Mental Health Center - A clinic which provides outpatient mental health services. Also known as CMHC, Community Mental Health Center.

OOA - State of Maryland Office on Aging - Independent State agency that is part of the Governor's Cabinet. OOA is charged with serving the needs of Marylanders age 60 or older who meet financial eligibility. Along with local Agencies on Aging, OOA oversees various programs Statewide.

OOO of Maryland - On Our Own of Maryland. A self help and advocacy group of consumers. State wide umbrella for On Our Own chapters in Maryland that provides support and fosters the development of On Our Own chapters and peer run business and other activities throughout the State.

OSEP - Office of Special Education Programs.

OTA - U.S. Office of Technology Assessment

Outpatient Services - Community mental health clinics, mobile treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, office based practices, clinics, therapeutic nurseries, EPSDT, or other community services.