Area Resources

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line

This line is designed to serve as a gateway to the behavioral health care system. Those seeking connections to mental health or substance use treatment are encouraged to reach out to this number. The Mass. Behavioral Health Help Line is staffed by clinicians and peer specialists. They can offer clinical assessments, triage for individual needs, make arrangements for appointments for clinical services, and activate mobile crisis services depending upon the circumstance. Available 24/7 for phone and text at 833-773-2445, as well as online at masshelpline.com.

The Community Relations Manager for the Help Line, Becky Barnett, joined us for our annual meeting in January 2024 and outlined the program in detail. The slides she shared during her presentation are available in the button below.

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are meant to serve as an alternative to emergency departments for mental health or substance use crisis care. CBHCs integrate crisis and community-based treatment by combining mobile teams, crisis stabilization, and care coordination. CBHCs provide crisis triage and evaluation. Then, depending on the urgency of care needed, will arrange for same day or next day treatment and stabilization.

People living within our affiliate’s geographic area will most likely visit the CBHCs in one of these locations: Lynn, Lowell, Waltham, or Framingham. The CBHCs are available 24/7 for crisis care. Outpatient urgent and routine walk-ins welcome 8:00-8:00 M-F and 9:00-5:00 on weekends. Use the button below for more information and to search for CBHC locations across the state. MassHealth clients are eligible to receive all CBHC services.

Representatives from Advocates joined us on January 2023 for a webinar to review the services available at the Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs). Information about the Behavioral Health Help Line was also included. The NAMI Greater North Shore affiliate hosted a similar CBHC program with Eliot Community Services which operates the CBHCs in Lynn and Danvers. Both recordings are available below.

Feedback Portal

The Department of Mental health has a portal that allows the public to submit feedback about the CBHCs and the MA Behavioral Health Help Line.

Finding a Therapist

Insurance companies compile lists of behavioral health providers in their network. There are a few free services that can help you find a therapist that suits your needs.

• Psychology Today: Search a large online database of mental health providers, groups, and treatment programs. Filter your search by location, insurance, issue, type of therapy and more. psychologytoday.com/us

• William James Interface Referral Service: Callers from participating communities are matched with licensed mental health providers, Mon-Fri, 888-244-6843. Each referral best meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Check the website to see if your town is a participating member. interface.williamjames.edu

• Therapy Matcher: This service connects people with licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSWs) in private practice across Massachusetts. naswma.org/page/therapymatcher

Locating Early Course Psychosis Services

Massachusetts Psychosis Access & Triage Hub: A no fee referral and consultation service that helps individuals, families, and providers who are concerned about early psychosis to access the support they need when they need it. brooklinecenter.org/centers/mpath

A list of early course psychosis services in Massachusetts is available here: mapnet.online/program-directory

Local DMH Community Partner Programs

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) service providers covering NAMI Central Middlesex communities include The Edinburg Center, Eliot Community Human Services, and Advocates, Inc.

There are three DMH Clubhouse programs, which are supportive day programs with limited barriers to entry for adults with a history of mental health conditions, within our affiliate communities. Horizon House is in Wakefield. Elm Brook Place is in Burlington, and Potter Place is in Waltham.

Wayside Youth and Family Services Network offers programs for youth and support options for parents/guardians. The Northeast Recovery Learning Community (NERLC) has Certified Peer Specialists who offer support groups and other social and support programs.

Edinburg Center
Eliot Community Services
Advocates
Elm Brook Place
Horizon House
Potter Place
Wayside
NERLC

Criminal Justice Involved

Support for those with mental health conditions who are involved with the criminal justice system include clinicians working with local police, a service available in most communities in the state. They assist with jail diversion, dispense NARCAN, and help connect people to behavioral health care and other supports. Contact your local police department to speak with their staff clinician. Massachusetts Mental Health Court Sessions are growing across the state as well. NAMI MA compiled a guide entitled, “Road Map Through the Criminal Justice System.” Learn more about the options and read our newsletter article about the court sessions in the buttons below.

Teens and Young Adults

NAMI’s national organization created a Teen & Young Adult HelpLine Resource Directory that offers articles, webinars, and resources around topics including accommodations at school, coping skills, crisis options, first episode psychosis, grief support, relationships, talking about mental health, self care, and social media. It also covers specific diagnoses and resources for cultural communities. For guidance, connect to NAMI’s Teen & Young Adult HelpLine via call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text 62640, or chat, nami.org/Support-Education/NAMI-HelpLine/Teen-Young-Adult-HelpLine.

Check our recent newsletter article about local support options for the Teen/YA demographic and their parents, “Tailored to Teens, Young Adults, and their Families”: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/nov-2024/tailored-for-teens-ya-parents2.

Cole Resource Center Workforce Program

CRC’s Workforce Program offers coaching and community support to those living with mental health challenges as they find their next career steps and pursue their life goals. coleresourcecenter.org/workforce-program.

NAMI MA Compass Helpline

Compass is an information and referral helpline that provides resources and support to help people navigate the complex Massachusetts mental health system and problem solve in difficult circumstances. It is staffed by individuals with experience navigating the mental health system for themselves or a loved one. Compass operates Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm. Contact Compass at 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085, or via email at compass@namimass.org.

Resources Across the State

The NAMI Massachusetts website includes Resources pages providing options for peer and family support, finding providers, insurance, housing, employment, legal resources, special education, children & adolescents, young people, parenting, cultural communities, state services and more.

Mental Health Insurance Parity

Federal law requires parity between mental health/substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits. This means that health plans can’t impose barriers on your access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits that don’t apply to medical and surgical benefits. This June 2023 guide from the U.S. Department of Labor will help you understand your rights to parity.

NAMI’s Two Books

NAMI has two successful book titles that include advice from experts and wisdom from real families:

Emerson Health Behavioral Health Resource Lists

We teamed up with Emerson Hospital in Concord to develop flyers featuring no fee mental health support programs available in the community. These will be shared by Emerson Hospital staff with those who might benefit. They are also available to the public on the Behavioral Health Resources page of the Emerson Health website: EmersonBehavioralHealth.

The lists include NAMI programs and options offered by other mental health support organizations. The flyers have these themes: Crisis Help & Information, Adult Peer Supports, Teen & Young Adult Supports, Locating Mental Health Care Providers, Family Supports, Criminal Justice Involved, Substance Use Supports, Veterans’ Supports, and New Parents’ Supports. December 2023 updates include information about Mental Health Court Sessions, a new list for teens & young adults, plus additional options for adults and peer crisis support.