Massachusetts’ Newest Mental Health and Substance Use Programs

Massachusetts’ Newest Mental Health and Substance Use Programs

Hello, I’m Julie Hwayoung Shepherd, Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health Services at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. I’m here to talk with you today about the state’s newest programs providing ‘front door access’ to mental health and substance use treatment for every person in Massachusetts.
I know that far too many Massachusetts residents have struggled to find the right type of mental health or substance use care:
All too often, emergency rooms have been the first-place people turn to when in crisis.
And individualized, culturally competent mental health services have been difficult to find.
Now, because of the Massachusetts’ new roadmap for mental health and substance use care, there are two groundbreaking new ways to receive the care you need.
The Massachusetts Behavioral Help Line provides real time live support – including clinical assessment and direct connection to mental health and substance use treatment. The Help Line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and available in over 200 spoken languages. If you are Deaf or hard of hearing and use ASL, call through your VRS provider. Call, text, or chat and get connected directly to the help you need! Completely free of charge.
Alternatively, if you or a loved one needs help right away, Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) offer 24/7 mental health and substance use crisis care in a community near you. No need to go to the emergency room – walk into a CBHC or call for a crisis team to come to your location. Our Mobile Crisis Intervention teams will assess the situation and work with you to determine the best path forward.
Call or text the Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 to connect with trained professionals. To find the Community Behavioral Health Center closest to you, visit mass.gov/CBHCs.
No matter how you choose to reach out, we’re always here to help.