Mental Health is just as important as physical health. During and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen just how crucial it is to take steps to maintain your mental health. It can be difficult to take the first step, and many are uncertain about where to start. I hope the resource guide below can help steer you and others in the right direction.
Additionally, I am looking forward to seeing the reforms under the 2022 Mental Health ABC Act take effect in the coming year(s). These reforms sought to provide patients with equitable access to mental health care and remove barriers to care by supporting the behavioral health workforce. The bill mandated coverage for an annual mental health wellness exam and required an equitable rate floor for evaluation and management services consistent with primary care. It also provided better tools to enforce mental health parity laws by creating a clear structure to receive and investigate parity complaints, increasing reporting and oversight requirements on insurance carriers’ mental health care coverage processes and policies, and establishing reasonable penalties and alternative remedies for failure to comply with the law.
As always, if you have a comment, question, or concern about this guide or any other topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at 617-722-1646 or send me an email at [email protected].
24/7 Immediate Support
988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call or text the 988 number and you’ll be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how your problems are affecting you, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary.
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)
The BHHL is here to connect you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it. Even if you’re not sure what kind of help or treatment you may need, they can help guide you. It’s free, confidential, and no health insurance is required. They provide real-time interpretation in 200+ languages. Deaf or hard of hearing? Contact MassRelay at 711. Call or text the BHHL helpline anytime at 833-773-2445.
Unsure where to start? Try these:
Massachusetts Network of Care
An online resource providing a searchable directory with over 5,000 programs/organizations to help residents find info by zip code on behavioral health services and treatment in their communities. For each listing, users can find a program description and contact info, as well as info on populations served, relevant eligibility fees, and more. Learn more at www.massachusetts.networkofcare.org.
NAMI Compass
COMPASS is the information and referral helpline at NAMI Massachusetts. They provide resources and support to help people navigate the complex mental health system and problem solve in difficult circumstances. Trained Navigators are available to answer a wide range of questions and refer to community resources. The COMPASS helpline is available Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Call the helpline at 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085, or email them at [email protected].
SAMHSA National Helpline
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other info.
Contact Your Insurer
Contact Your Insurer or Primary Care Physician
Most mental health services are delivered in outpatient and community settings paid for by insurance. Whether you have you have private health insurance, MassHealth, or Medicare, you should contact the number listed on the back of your card or reach out to your Primary Care Physician's Office to see what services are available to you.
South Shore Health Perinatal Behavioral Health Program
After providing individual care plans for pregnant and postpartum women—for up to three years after giving birth—the team then provides referrals for other community-based services that will help you manage for the long term.
Website: www.southshorehealth.org/wellness/grayken-center-treatment-south-shorehealth/perinatal-behavioral-health-program
Phone: 781-624-5065
Postpartum Support International (PSI) of Massachusetts
PSI-MA is the state chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI), the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to helping those suffering from perinatal mood disorders. A toll-free and confidential warm line that provides support, listings of local counselors, support groups, and information in Massachusetts. Leave a message and a trained volunteer or staff person will return your call within 24 hours.
Website: www.psichapters.com/ma/
Phone: 866-472-1897
Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP) for Moms
A free referral resource for front-line providers serving pregnant and postpartum women. A mother can ask her health care provider to call MCPAP for a referral.
Website: www.mcpapformoms.org
Phone: 855-666-6272
Parental Stress Line - Massachusetts
Toll-free 24/7 confidential helpline including counseling, support and information for parents. Translator services available.
Website: www.parentshelpingparents.org
Phone: 800-632-8188
National Parents Helpline
Toll-free 24/7 confidential helpline including counseling, support, and information for parents. Translator services are available.
Website: www.nationalparenthelpline.org
Phone: 855-427-2736
Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP) for Moms
A free referral resource for front-line providers serving pregnant and postpartum women. A mother can ask her health care provider to call MCPAP for a referral.
Website: www.mcpapformoms.org
Phone: 855-666-6272
Veterans Affairs Mental Health
The VA provides support for specific types of Veterans & a variety of mental health conditions. Contact your local Veterans Services Officer to learn more, visit their website, or contact your local VA.
Website: www.mentalhealth.va.gov
Phone: 508-583-4500 (Brockton VA Medical Center)
Home Base
Home Base operates the largest private sector clinic in America devoted to providing lifesaving clinical care & support for the treatment of invisible wounds.
Website: www.homebase.org
Phone: 617-724-5202
Local Veterans Services Officer
Cohasset: Philip Mahoney 781-383-4100 x 7311
Duxbury: Michael Thorp 781-934-5774, ext. 5740
Hingham: Keith Jermyn 781-741-1440
Hull: Paul Sordillo 781-925-0305
Marshfield: Carin Paulette 781-834-5576
Norwell: David Osborne 781-659-8004
Scituate: Donald Knapp 781-545-8715
Weymouth: George Pontes 781-340-2405
Wounded Warrior Project
The WWP has provided over 40,000 hours of intensive outpatient care and therapy sessions in just the past year - helping veterans live happier & more fulfilling lives.
Website: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Phone: 904-405-1213
For the Frontline
An initiative by the Crisis Text Line, For the Frontline provides 24/7 free crisis counseling to frontline workers to support individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, fear, isolation, or other difficult emotions.
Website: www.forthefrontlines.org
Phone: 741741 (Text Only)
CopLine
CopLine provides 24/7 confidential services for active duty & retired officers dealing with various stressors encountered both on & off the job. Their retired & trained volunteers are there to listen.
Website: www.copline.org
Phone: 1-800-267-5463
South Shore Peer Recovery
SSPR is an excellent resource when substance use problems are also involved. Peer-led by individuals in addiction recovery, the center at 51 Cole Parkway in Scituate Harbor offers a variety of free resources such as acupuncture, meditation, and peer or family support groups. One on one assistance navigating treatment for substance use disorders – and managing ongoing recovery – is also available for free to individuals and family members.
Website: www.southshorepeerrecovery.com
Phone: 781-378-0453
The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
The Helpline is the only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment, recovery, and problem gambling services. Helpline services are free and confidential. Their caring, trained specialists will help you understand the treatment system and your options.
Website: https://helplinema.org/
Phone: 800-327-5050
South Shore Health - Bridge Program
The bridge program is a community door for people 18 years of age and older that want to start treatment for substance use disorder. This program offers initial diagnosis and medicine for treatment of substance use disorder in a welcoming, stigma-free environment. Patients can walk in Monday-Friday from 8 AM-12 PM, but are advised to call ahead for an appointment.
Website: www.southshorehealth.org/wellness/grayken-center-treatment-south-shore-health/bridge-program
Phone: 781-624-5065
Bay State Community Services - Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program
This program can serve as a powerful step in developing stable long-term recovery from substance use. The program aims to provide group members an increased level of self-awareness about their substance use disorder, relapse prevention skills, and a variety of coping skills to empower all members to reach their fullest potential. Their compassionate team of clinicians and recovery coaches use a holistic person-centered approach, and their clinicians are trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities. Bay State offers several groups, and referrals to other supports and services.
Website: www.baystatecs.org/intensive-recovery-program
Phone: 617-471-8400
Manet Community Health Center
Outreach and prevention services including Narcan, and medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.
Website: https://www.manetchc.org/
Phone: 617-302-3287
Mass Men
The MassMen Project promotes wellness and empowers working-age men across MA to take action to feel better emotionally, physically, and spiritually. They are funded by the DPH Suicide Prevention Program and most services remain at no cost to you.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/massmen
Phone: 781-915-7829
Hope Floats
Hope Floats is a bereavement and educational center for individuals and families who are grieving or facing other life challenges. Their mission is to help people cope with loss, support their healing, and nurture their physical and emotional well-being. There are a variety of groups including support for suicide loss, overdose loss, special groups for siblings, spouses, parents, and more. All support groups are free, but registration is required. Individual grief/loss counseling is also available.
Website: www.hopefloatswellness.org
Phone: 781-936-8068
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center
SSRAC is a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting survivors of domestic violence and their families for more than 40 years. SSRAC is committed to providing comprehensive services for intimate partner and familial violence, as well as victim services and prevention for survivors and loved ones of impaired driving crashes, and loved ones who have lost someone to homicide. Services are free and confidential to all.
Website: www.ssrac.org
Phone: 508-746-2664
The Friendly Visitor Program
The Friendly Visitor Program provides for some regularly scheduled social time for local seniors. Loneliness is a major issue for many people in the senior community & a few hours of talk time can go a long way towards curbing that. Many people don’t need any assistance at home, but are just looking for a friendly person to talk with.
Website: www.sselder.org/friendly-visitors/
Phone: 781-848-3910