When to call 911
Call 911 to have an emergency team come to you right away for emergencies such as:
- Choking
- Stopped breathing or turning blue
- Chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack
- Signs of stroke (face droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
- Possible poisoning*
- Head injury with passing out, throwing up, or not behaving normally
- Injury to neck or spine
- Severe burn
- Seizure that lasts more than a few minutes or repeated seizures
- Bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Suicide attempt
- Signs of a drug overdose or substance use disorder crises that are immediately life threatening
*For possible poisonings, you can also call the nearest Poison Control Center. In Massachusetts, call (800) 222-1222, available 24/7.
When to go to a hospital emergency department (ED/ER)
Hospital emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, every day. They don't require appointments, but sometimes there is a long wait. Go there if you have symptoms like:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Broken bones or any head, neck, or eye injuries
- Weakness, numbness, or slurred speech
- Heavy bleeding or vomiting/coughing up blood
- Poisoning or severe allergic reactions
- Moderate or severe cuts and burns
- Loss of consciousness
- Going into labor (or go where the obstetrics team instructs you)
When to go to an urgent care center
Urgent care centers may be able to help when you don't have a primary care provider or you cannot see your regular doctor. Some urgent care centers are open during evenings and weekends. They usually don't require appointments.
Urgent care centers can help with things like:
- Mild symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, ear pain, headache
- Mild rashes, small cuts, bug bites, or mild burns
- Injuries like sprained bones and strained muscles
- Mild allergic reactions (rashes or itching)
An urgent care provider will assess your condition and get you to emergency care if needed.
When to go to a doctor's office or request a virtual visit
If you have a doctor (for example, a primary care doctor, obstetrician, or child's pediatrician), they may have appointments during their normal hours (usually 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday).
They can help with things like:
- Checkups to prevent illness or care for ongoing medical issues
- Referral for nonemergency specialty care
- Mild symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, ear pain, headache
- Medicine questions or prescription refills
- Vaccines or blood tests
When to call the Behavioral Health Help Line
The 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) connects you to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts. You call or text 833-773-2445, or start a chat at masshelpline.com/chat any time to receive individualized support, clinical assessment, and personalized treatment referrals.
The BHHL can help connect you with the Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) near you for crisis services, behavioral health urgent care, and other outpatient services. The service is completely free (no insurance needed) and is available in over 200 languages.
When to call 988 for emotional support
If you or a loved one are having emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, or chat online at chat.988lifeline.org. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7 to provide you with free, confidential emotional support.
Once connected to 988, a trained Lifeline specialist will listen to you, work to understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share resources that may be helpful. 988 does not require or ask for insurance.