Resources Center

NCPS provides the following information to the general public to assist them in answering their questions about mental health issues and mental healthcare. The links are provided as a convenience and do not imply endorsement. NCPS is not responsible for content provided on websites hosted by organizations outside NCPS and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information they contain.

Collegial Resource Hotline

The Wellness Committee offers a confidential line to speak with a committee member about any question or concern regarding yourself or your practice.  This is a benefit of NCPS Membership.  While NOT formal treatment, you may call about practically anything. 

You may choose the hotline or contact any committee member directly by email or phone below.  You may request anonymity and/or ask that you rname not be shared with other committee members.  In short, this is:

• a free service
• conversations are confidential 
• anonymous by request
• a service without notes or records
• a service insulated from outside requests for information

Managing Stress in psychiatric practice, keeps us wll and averts burnout...

Hotline: 888-386-3641: Your call will be returned by the committee member on call or 

Call a committee member directly or you may initiate contact by email:

1.  Rick Cicinelli - 650-867-7889 or rickcic@aol.com
2.  James Bourgeois - email: James.bourgeois@ucsf.edu
3.  Lynn Bertram - 925-360-0804 or lbertram@sbcglobal.net
4.  Marvin Firestone - firestone@forensicneuropsychiatiry.com
5.  Sam Naifeh - 415-420-0078 or samnaifeh@sbcglobal.net
6.  Gary Nye - 925-254-3222 or gn39@aol.com
7.  Richard Shadoan - 415-407-7839 or richard.shadoan@gmail.com
8.  Suzana Simkovic - 925-719-2920 or ssimkovicmd@gmail.com
9.  Simran Singh - email:  ssinghmd3@gmail.com
10. Farah Zaidi - email:  farah09@yahoo.com

Common Mental Health Issues

For information regarding many common mental health issues please see the website http://www.healthyminds.org. At this site individuals can search by specific mental health issue, population subgroup and do a general search. The site was created the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI offers free, volunteer-driven support for families of patients suffering from mental illness. It is a good grassroots organization where people can find out valuable information without having to see a psychiatrist. NAMI oftentimes has psychiatrists (sometimes NCPS members) speak to them at their monthly meetings. These meetings are free to the public and a good example of the kind of information NAMI provides

• NAMI California
• Tel: 916-567-0163
• http://www.namicalifornia.org

• San Francisco NAMI
• Tel: 415-905-6264
• http://www.namisf.org

Medicare

Patients with Medi-Care are experiencing difficulties when trying to find a psychiatrist. While none of our members currently accept Medicare in private practice the following are a list of resources that should help in finding a physician accepting Medicare.

• California Health Advocates is a non-profit dedicated to Medicare advocacy and education for Californians. http://www.cahealthadvocates.org
• California Government website specifically for Medi-Cal http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov
• At the Official US Government Site for Medicare patients can search for doctors accepting Medicare. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Servies is open 24 hour a day 7 days a week. Telephone: 1-800-633-4227 Website: https://www.medicare.gov

County Health Services

County Health Services are the best resource for patients who are using Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal insurance to cover the cost for mental health services. Almost every county has a county hospital (and several clinics) where Medi-Cal patients can be seen. County Health Services are also a good place to start for patients using other types of health insurance. To see a list of contact information for Northern California Counties please click here.

Affiliated Associations

California Psychiatric Association: the state association of APA, the lobbying arm of the California District Branches.

Tel: 916-442-5196
http://www.calpsych.org

BECOME A KEY CONTACT: being a Key Contact is an important and irreplaceable part of our overall legislative advocacy efforts. For more information and to learn how to sign up to become a Key Contact please click here.

American Psychiatric Association: the national organization representing psychiatry.

Tel: 888-357-7924
http://www.psychiatry.org/

Other District Branches of the APA in California

Central California Psychiatric Society

Tel: 888 234-1613
https://cencalpsych.org/

Orange County Psychiatric Society

Tel: (714) 978-3016
www.ocps.org

San Diego Psychiatric Society

Tel: 858-279-4586
www.sandiegopsychiatricsociety.org

Southern California Psychiatric Society

Tel: (310) 815-3650
www.socalpysch.org