Helping residents access mental health and substance use treatment
- This page, Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, is offered by
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services
- MassHealth
- Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform
The Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform helps people in Massachusetts get the mental health and substance use care they need, when and where they need it. Through a 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) and statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), the Roadmap connects people with supportive services right in their communities.
Together, the Roadmap programs form a “front door” to behavioral health, making it easier than ever before for individuals and families across Massachusetts to access critical mental health and substance use services.
Behavioral Health Help Line
The 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) directly connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts. Anyone in Massachusetts can call, text, or chat at any time to receive individualized support, clinical assessment, and personalized treatment referrals.
Connect with qualified professionals for mental health assessments, crisis services, substance use treatment, referrals and more, with options in all communities. Help Line staff will remain on the line until callers are connected to their next step.
- Call or text 833-773-2445 (BHHL)
- Start a chat at masshelpline.com/chat.
- Deaf or hard of hearing? If you use a TTY, contact MassRelay at 711. Otherwise, call through your video relay service at 833-773-2445.
Open 365 days a year, the call/text line and online chat service is completely free (no insurance needed) and is available in over 200 languages.
Community Behavioral Health Centers
A network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) in communities across the state serves as an entryway to timely, high-quality, and accessible mental health and addiction treatment.
The 25 CBHCs offer 24/7 mobile crisis services for anyone experiencing a potential mental health crisis, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. CBHCs also provide a wide range of outpatient services including individual and group therapy, recovery coaching, and prescribing for mental health and addiction treatment medication. Outpatient services are covered by MassHealth and some commercial insurers.
Behavioral Health Urgent Care
Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BH UC) locations provide a range of mental health and substance use services for MassHealth members, including mental health assessments, substance use treatment, referrals, and much more.
BH UC is designed to provide MassHealth members with easier access to mental health and substance use care, right in their communities.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 is the direct three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a nationwide resource for anyone in emotional distress or having suicidal thoughts. 988 is staffed by trained call takers, who provide free, confidential emotional support to all callers.
- Call/text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
For more information, visit mass.gov/988.
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