Mental Health Crisis Resources
Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)
– Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) offer immediate help for people experiencing mental health crises. CBHCs are open 24/7 in communities across Massachusetts. Find a CBHC: https://www.mass.gov/find-a-cbhc
– CBHC Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) – MCI crisis teams of trained professionals can come directly to you. MCI is available 24/7 to everyone in Massachusetts, and no insurance is needed. Call 877-382-1609 and enter your zip code to be connected to your nearest CBHC and MCI team. Website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mobile-crisis-intervention
Samaritans
– Samaritans provides support for people having thoughts of suicide, are worried about a loved one, or need emotional support. Samaritans offers grief support groups and suicide prevention workshops. Learn more about their services: https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/
– “Hey Sam” is a peer-to-peer texting service for youth up to 24 years old. Youth can text 439-726 between 9AM-12AM (Midnight) ET to text a peer youth about depression, stress, or thoughts of suicide. Website: https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/hey-sam/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
– SAMHSA 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7. Call or text 988.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ Support)
– The Trevor Project offers free and confidential 24/7 crisis support options for LGBTQIA+ youth: Text ‘Start’ to 678678, or call 1-866-488-7386, or chat online at chat.trvr.org
Mental Health Support Resources
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)
– BHHL Resource Directory – This online resource provides information about a range of mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and support services across the Commonwealth. You can search by location and service type: https://www.masshelpline.com/resources/bhhlresourcedirectory/
Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)
– Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) offer immediate help for people experiencing mental health crises. CBHCs are open 24/7 in communities across Massachusetts. Find a CBHC: https://www.mass.gov/find-a-cbhc
The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ Support)
– The Trevor Project offers crisis support, research, community education, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ youth: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Schizophrenia Resources
– MGH provides educational resources for individuals and families to learn about schizophrenia and first episode psychosis. Website: https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/schizophrenia/patient-education
Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET)
– MAPNET is a Technical Assistance Center with the goal of connecting and supporting individuals experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP) and service providers in Massachusetts. Find a program: https://www.mapnet.online/program-directory
– MAPNET resources for individuals experiencing or concerned about experiencing FEP: https://www.mapnet.online/whatispsychosis
– MAPNET resources for families and friends of someone experiencing FEP: https://www.mapnet.online/information-and-resources
– MAPNET resources for providers: https://www.mapnet.online/providers
Massachusetts Psychosis Access and Triage Hub (M-PATH)
– M-PATH is a referral and consultation service available to anyone in Massachusetts concerned about early psychosis for themselves, their loved one, or their client. The team at M-PATH is available to help navigate the mental health care system and find the support most helpful to each individual. Website: https://www.brooklinecenter.org/centers/mpath/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
– NAMI is a grass-roots organization for people with mental illness and their families. They offer educational programs, support groups, and national public policy advocacy. NAMI also has a HelpLine and organizes public awareness events and activities (like Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMIWalks). Website: https://www.nami.org/
– NAMI Massachusetts Website: https://namimass.org/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
– SAMHSA Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/
– SAMHSA National Helpline/Treatment Referral Routing Service: Treatment referral and information, 24/7. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
– SAMHSA Online Treatment Locator: https://findtreatment.gov/
Peer Support Resources
Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs)
Recovery Learning Communities are peer-run networks of self help/peer support, information and referral, advocacy and training activities. Training in trauma-healing, recovery concepts and tools, advocacy forums and social and recreational events are all part of what goes on in a Recovery Learning Community.
The doors are open to all people who are struggling with their mental health. RLCs work collaboratively with mental health providers, other human service agencies and the community at large to forward the mission of community integration and respect for people with mental health conditions. RLC activities are designed to appeal to the range of people in the community, including people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and people of all co-occurring disabilities. RLCs are for everyone.
– Massachusetts (MA) Department of Mental Health (DMH) Recovery Learning Community Directory: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/recovery-learning-communities
– Metro Boston RLCs – Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community (MBRLC): https://www.mbrlc.org/
– Central MA RLCs – Kiva Centers: https://kivacenters.org/
– Western MA RLCs – Wildflower Alliance: https://wildfloweralliance.org/
– Northeastern MA RLC – Northeast Recovery Learning Community (NERLC): https://www.nilp.org/nerlc/
– Southeast MA RLCs – Southeast Recovery Learning Community (SERLC): https://www.southeastrlc.org/.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Boston Peer Support and Advocacy Network (Peer SAN).
– Peer SAN promotes the use of NAMI peer programs including NAMI Connection Support Groups, Peer-to-Peer educational classes and a In Our Own Voice speaker program. Peer SAN has weekly staff/support meetings.
For more details email Howard Trachtman hdt@namiboston.org or call (781) 642-0368. Visit https://namiboston.org/contact-us/ to join the Peer SAN network.
Opening Doors to the Arts
– Opening Doors to the Arts (ODA) is a program that offers Peers and those with mental health challenges free and reduced priced tickets to theater, concerts and more. ODA has relationships with Boston Symphony Orchestra, Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Philharmonic, Berklee School of Music, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Lyric Stage, Wheelock Family Theater and many more.
– Visit www.OpeningDoorsToTheArts.org or send an email to info@OpeningDoorsToTheArts.org to join.
McLean Wellspace Program
– Wellspace is a day program for people aged 18-30 who have experienced their first episode of psychosis. Wellspace offers therapeutic, educational, and recreational groups including life skills, vocational skills, game therapy, meditation, peer support, and more. Call Steve Fedele, CPS, at (617) 855-4214 or email SFedele@partners.org for more information and to join Wellspace groups.