A: True, many potential patients/clients do not yet have the internet in their homes. However, many of the family members and professionals who support, advise, and supervise those individuals DO already have access and are increasingly depending on the internet for information. Also, the internet explosion has only just begun. With the release of inexpensive (ie, <$300) web devices, the internet is reaching into more and more homes.
A: You can list detailed descriptive information about the services you provide, even if you do not personally have access to the internet or to email. Other professionals and potential patients/clients will still be able to learn about your practice or agency. However, you will need internet access if you want to use this site to aid in making your own referrals.
A: Briefly, the internet is a network of computers all over the world which share information. The technology allows easy access to information on almost every conceivable topic by simply "searching" the internet. The standard cost throughout the industry is $19.95 per month for virtually unlimited access to the internet. Included with the monthly fee is an email (electronic mail) account which allows you to communicate with individuals via the internet. To get started all you need is a computer, an internet software program, a modem, and an "Internet Service Provider" or ISP. Your best bet is to call your local ISP and they will talk you through the process of getting started. Click here for a list of Mississippi Internet Service Providers.
A: Yes, there are other listings of professional services on the internet. The MMHR site charges no fees for the limited details they tend to provide. (Our fees are for a listing which includes a far more detailed description of your practice or services.) The problem with other online service listings is that users need to know a lot about internet "search engines" in order to find your listing. However, most people don't know how to use these search engines very well... and no search engine can bring together all the different providers and present them in an organized manner. Our goals at MMHR are to organize all this information, present it in a manner that the casual web user can easily navigate, keep it up to date, and help users find the information easily.
A: First, we have submitted the site to all the major search engines to help people find us more easily. More importantly, we are actively promoting this site by phone, by mail, and by workshop demonstrations to clinicians, EAP coordinators, referral agencies, professional organizations, shelters, support groups, etc., throughout the state. Rather than waiting for users to find us or hear about us by word-of-mouth, we are (rather noisily) making our presence known. Our goal is ambitious -- we intend to become THE PRIMARY and the MOST COMPREHENSIVE source of mental health referral information in Mississippi.
A: The only way we can truly work toward a COMPREHENSIVE list of service providers is to list everyone's basic information for free. By becoming a SPONSOR, you have the additional benefit of presenting a detailed description of your services and your experience. Keep in mind that even other professionals frequently have very little understanding of your particular interests, expertise, or orientation toward treatment. Also, becoming a full sponsor is a way to contribute to building and maintaining this database... which will be an asset to people throughout the state.
A: There are significant drawbacks to those options. Any service established by a government agency or funded through "soft" funds will be subject to a potentially sudden death if the funds dry up. The current service is designed to support itself financially, and to provide an internal incentive to keep the database current. Also, I suspect there would be some complications to the idea of a government agency working to promote the services of private practitioners. If the site were maintained by one of the professional organizations, it might create some disagreement over how to represent all the disciplines equally. The current site will function independently, but will strive to work closely with all interested agencies and professional organizations.
A: Yes. There are several publications which contain portions of the data we are including at MMHR. The best answer here is to ask that you look around your office. How many of these publications can you see from where you're sitting? The problem is that these publications tend to have a narrow distribution and are not readily available to most consumers. Also, any printed resource list will invariably be partly out of date even before it gets back from the printer. The MMRH site will overcome these limitations by being easily accessible and continuously updated.
A: Many users are not familiar with how to operate internet "search" utilities and may not know enough about what potential resources are available to figure out which "keywords" to search for. This would make it very difficult to find the information they want. The current format was developed so that both novice and experienced internet users can easily find their way to the resources they need, and then easily compare services from different providers.