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The International Society for Mental Health Online

Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.                      http://mentalhealth.about.com

The International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) is an organization for people interested in Online mental health issues. The organization is open to anyone. It is not limited to mental health professionals; and we hope that consumers and interested laypersons will join and actively participate.

The idea for ISMHO grew out of a lunch in Chicago in August of 1997. A group of psychologists and at least one psychiatrist had made presentations to the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. As we discussed online mental health issues I asked when a Division of Online Psychology was going to form within APA. Marlene Maheau noted that APA was probably not interested in adding new divisions, and the discussion moved toward a multidisciplinary organization. The ISMHO was born.

ISMHO was originally conceived of as a professional society.  As discussions continued we decided that the organization should be more inclusive. We did not want to limit ourselves to psychologists, or even to mental health professionals. Anyone who is interested in Online Mental Health is invited to pay the modest $25 annnual dues and join. 

Following the August 1997 lunch the organization began to take shape via email discussions.  The entire message thread which gave birth to this organization was once Online and could be viewed by anyone.  This birth process may be unique among mental health organizations.  It's still possible to sign-up to a free general mailing list.

The purpose of ISMHO is to:

  • aid and stimulate mental health professionals and clients in the development of new online technology and applications
  • educate mental health professionals and clients about existing online information and communication technologies and applications
  • explore and develop the use of computer assisted communication in the work of mental health
  • highlight endeavors by members consistent with the goals of the Society
  • provide online discussion forums and news concerning the work of mental health online
  • develop standards for online interactions between mental health professionals and consumers
  • help coordinate technological efforts amongst its members
  • work to stimulate grants and other funding for the development of information and communication systems and technologies specific to mental health online
  • promote the development of online databases of information, information and communication tools and software which are easily accessible to all mental health professionals and which will serve to advance the profession and discipline of online mental health and research
  • encourage other professional societies, associations and interest groups to allocate resources to the investigation, development and promulgation among mental health professionals of online resources and online technologies
  • provide advice to legislative bodies and governmental agencies concerning the use, needs and benefits of online resources which have been formed with significant input from its members.
    (ISMHO Mission Statement, 1998)

The ISMHO is an organization with a bright future. Most meetings will be held online, using different Internet technologies.  You can join an informational public mailing list concerning this organization at the .  You can join the actual organization for $25 per year by following the instructions at the ISMHO Home Page. Join us and help shape the future of mental health Online.

Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.                      http://mentalhealth.about.com

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