Comprehensive Resource List

TABLE OF CONTENTS

If you come across an invalid link or inaccurate information, please notify us, cnelson@namimass.org. If you know of a helpful government or nonprofit website, please email the link to
cnelson@namimass.org. Please read the Terms of Use Statement.


Advocacy Organizations
Hotlines/Helplines
Organizing Services
Anti-Stigma Programs, etc.
Housing Resources
Other Disability Services
Children and Family Services
Identity Theft
Other Organizations
Clinical Trials
Insurance
Recovery Learning Communities
College Bound and College Students
Kids and Teens
Refugee Health and Human Rights
Coping Tips and Strategies
Legal Resources
Research
Credit Counseling and Consumer Complaints
Legal Services to Disadvantaged Children
Searchable Web-Based Databases
Crisis Intervention Training/Jail Diversion
Massachusetts Government
Smoking Cessation Programs
Dental Services
Medical Services
Special Education Resources
Disability and Social Security
Medications
Special Needs Trusts/3rd Party Special Needs Pooled Trusts
Education Employment and Training
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Publications
Stress Reduction Programs
Elder Services
Mental Health Magazines
Substance Abuse Services
Faith and Spirituality Organizations
Mental Health Services
Suicide Prevention Programs
Federal and Massachusetts Tax Forms and Information
Miscellaneous
Support Groups
Federal Government
Missing Persons Assistance
Trust and Guardianship Services
Food Stamps, Food Pantries and Other Food Resources
Multicultural
Transportation
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, or Intersex (GLBTQI)
Online Social Communities
Utility Programs
Health Insurance
Online Support Groups
Veterans Resources
Healthy Choices
Organizations led by People in Recovery
Warmlines
 
 
 

 

ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS :

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses. The many activities include: public educations and information activities; peer education and support; raising awareness and fighting stigma; and state and federal advocacy. (Locate other state and local affiliates):

http://www.nami.org

Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR), the members of MOAR promote public awareness of alcoholism, drug dependency and substance abuse by: offering community education; educating insurers; partnering with treatment providers; and educating health care providers and the public to reduce the stigma of addiction:

http://www.neaar.org/moar/about.htm

 

M-POWER is a member run organization of mental health consumers and current and former psychiatric patients. We advocate for political and social change within the mental health system , the community, city, and statewide:

http://www.m-power.org/what_we_do


Special Education Activism, working to secure the educational rights of all Massachusetts schoolchildren with disabilities:

http://www.spedwatch.org

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, a Coalition of national consumer, advocacy, provider and professional organizations that advocated on behalf of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities and their families :

http://www.c-c-d.org/

 

Technical Assistance Collaborative, TAC supports the efforts of public and non-profit agencies to successfully plan and implement the design, financing and management of public sector human services, mental health, substance abuse, and health care strategies.

http://www.tacinc.org/

 

Policy Research Associates, advancing the field of mental health services research for vulnerable populations including: children and adolescents, people who are homeless, those who are involved in the juvenile or criminal justice systems and adults and youth who have co-occurring substance use disorders. In each of these projects, PRA is responsible for providing services in three broad areas technical assistance and training, conference/meeting design and facilitation and evaluation and research:

http://www.prainc.com

 

Consumer Organization & Networking Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC), funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, is a resource center for consumers/survivors and consumer-run organizations across the U.S . :

http:// www.contac.org

 

The Arc of Massachusetts , is enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community:

http://www.arcmass.org/

 


ANTI-STIGMA PROGRAMS, ETC:



A group of Belgian psychiatrists organise art exhibitions with work from patients They also have music and strip books, like 'The secret of the Brain Chip' (about psychosis and 'All or Nothing' about bipolar disorder :

http://www.hetmisverstand.be/galerij.html

Time to Change is England 's most ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems :

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

People with mental problems, whether they have been treated for them or not, are faced with a large number of other problems. Sometimes these problems arise from how these people are treated within the mental healthcare system. Often society itself throws up barriers that prevent full social integration and functioning.

http://www.stichtingpandora.nl/

In Our Own Voice is an opportunity for those who have struggled with mental illness to share their individual experiences of recovery and transformation. Audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Audience participation is an important aspect of IOOV because the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and stay in recovery:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=In_Our_Own_Voice

 

CHILDREN and FAMILY SERVICES :

CTF leads efforts in Massachusetts to ensure that all parents of young children have access to community-based family support resources and the information about child development that they need,

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=82

 

Parenting & Child Custody Issues Toolkit for People with Behavioral Health Problems

The UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration has developed a free tool kit for parents with serious mental illnesses. Research indicates that mothers with serious mental illnesses are almost three times more likely than mothers without such illnesses to have been involved in the child welfare system or to have lost custody of their children. The tool kit helps parents who have lost custody or are at risk of losing custody of their children, helps parents in recovery from mental illnesses with parenting issues, and offers guidance for professionals as well. The tool kit, "Helping Behavioral Health Clients with Parenting & Child Custody Issues," may be downloaded at:


http://www.upennrrtc.org/resources/view.php?tool_id=185

 

Parenting Education and Support Programs (PESP) bring together parents in structured training programs to increase their skills, offer access to information, and to create support networks in communities. Programs address the needs of diverse groups, including grandparents, fathers, single parents, and parents with disabilities

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=449

 

Family Centers, the Centers offer more than 70 different types of family programs and services each year to parents with children 0 - 6 years of age. Activities include group-based parenting education workshops, support groups, parent and child activities, family counseling, special family events, healthcare education, home visiting, and community referral services:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=197

 

Helping First-Time Parents, Healthy Families Massachusetts provides a trained home visitor who offers information and support on a voluntary basis to all first-time parents age 20 and under. The statewide program is funded and administered by CTF:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=512

 

Nurturing Program's emphasis is on the whole family. By targeting parents with children from birth to six years old, the programs support children and their families in a crucial time of development. It brings together groups of parents with similar needs, provides them with pertinent information, and helps them develop into supportive peer groups:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=365

 

Parenting Journey, the Parenting Journey is geared toward parents who have not had the kind of upbringing of the own that serves as a resource and that provides emotional sustenance. The curriculum has been well received by both parents involved in the child welfare system as well as parent in voluntary enrichment programs:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=366

 

For Fathers, The programs listed here all offer programs for fathers and receive funding from CTF. We invite you to download or contact us for a copy of our Fatherhood Kit, which includes other programs for fathers throughout Massachusetts and nationwide, as well as a number of parenting tips, national resources and internet sites pertaining to fatherhood:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=198

 

MELD Programs, The groups are facilitated by a team of women who became single mothers in their teens. Young moms meet weekly to receive basic, practical information and support regarding parenting and decision making. Young moms support each other and are encouraged to pursue and achieve their educational and career goals:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=210

 

Mass Family Network Sites:

http://www.mctf.org/sp.aspx?id=509

 

CTF offers onetoughjob.org , an online parenting resource with tips and information available 24/7 :

http://www.onetoughjob.org

 

Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, programs and services:

http://www.mspcc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=progs_Overview

 

The Home for Little Wanderers is a private, non-profit child and family service agency, programs:

http://www.thehome.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_about

 

Massachusetts Dept. of Social Services, Family Support Initiatives:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Family+Services&L3=Violence%2c+Abuse+or+Neglect&L4=Child+Abuse+and+Neglect&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dss_c_fsi_overview&csid=Eeohhs2

 

Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Child Care and Support, subsidized child care, child care assistance for TAFDC, Child Support Enforcement Unit:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Family+Services&L3=Child+Care+and+Support&sid=Eeohhs2

 

Massachusetts Dept. of Social Services, Adolescent Services:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Family+Services&L3=Services+for+Youth&L4=Adolescent+Services&sid=Eeohhs2

 

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Services for Youth with Disabilities:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Family+Services&L3=Services+for+Youth&L4=Services+for+Youth+with+Disabilities&sid=Eeohhs2

 

The Parents' How-To Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in Massachusetts, The Boston Bar Association, with support from Children's Hospital Boston, has developed the guide to Services in Massachusetts, which answers all of these questions and more. It takes you through the mental health system step by step, from deciding if your child needs care to getting specific services:

http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site1936/mainpageS1936P18sublevel16.html

 

How to advocate for you child, 25 Tips for Parents:

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/CAAC/How_To_Advocate_For_Your_Child.htm

 

Think:Kids is a non-profit organization that trains adults in a new way of helping kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges:

http://www.thinkkids.org/about/

 

Sociedad Latina, viene trabajando con los jóvenes latinos como una manera de contribuir al desarrollo de la nueva generación de líderes:

http://spanish.sociedadlatina.org/

 

Boys and Girls Club of Boston , Youth Service Providers Network:

http://www.bgcb.org/locations_yspn.cfm

 

Boys and Girls Club of Boston , our clubs:

http://www.bgcb.org/locations_clubs.cfm

 

Boys and Girls Club, find a club:

http://www.bgca.org/clubs/

 

YMCA of Greater Boston, family programs:

http://www.ymcaboston.org/main/programs/family_programs/

 

YMCA, find your YMCA:

http://www.ymca.net/maps/

 

Boy Scouts of America , local councils:

http://www.scouting.org/media/lcl.aspx

 

Girl Scouts of the USA , council finder:

http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/results.asp

 

 

CLINICAL TRIALS:

Registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. Gives you information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/

 

COLLEGE BOUND AND COLLEGE STUDENTS



" Student Mental Health and the Law ", a new document from the JED Foundation, is a comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health.  This guide provides clarification of FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ), disability law, and other legal issues colleges face, and includes guidelines for addressing campus mental health and working with students in distress:

http://www.jedfoundation.org/assets/TJFLegalResource.pdf

Campus Mental Health: Know Your Rights ! A guide for students who want to seek help for mental illness or emotional distress . Produced by the Leadership21 Committee of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law . Chapters include: You are Not Alone, Seeking Help, Privacy, Academic Accomaodations, Discipline , Involuntary Leave of Absence , Going to a Psychiatric Hospital , Forced Medication, Resources:

http://www.bazelon.org/l21/rightsguide.htm

Going to College, A resource for teens with disabilities:
http://www.going-to-college.org/


As the nation's leading organization working to reduce emotional distress
and prevent suicide among college students , The Jed Foundation is
protecting the mental health of students across the country:
http://www.jedfoundation.org


Mental Illness:What a Difference a Friend makes:
http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/


Half of Us:through Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation want to
initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of
mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate
resources to get help:
http://www.halfofus.com/

Ulifeline, your online resource for college mental health:
http://www.ulifeline.org/main/Home.html

NIDA for teens, The Science Behind Drug Abuse :
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php

Facts on Tap
http://www.factsontap.org/factsontap/students.htm

National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse of the National Institute
of Health :
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

The Higher Education Support Toolkit, developed by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation , provides disability service staff and health care staff with a simple way to work with students who are experiencing challenges arising from their psychiatric disability. The toolkit is available as a free download at the Center's website at:

http://www.bu.edu/cpr/resources/supportstudents


SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES :
The National Center for Learning Disabilities annual awards the Ann Ford Scholarship of $10,000 to an outstanding high school senior with a
learning disability who is committed to completing a college degree .

For information, visit : www.ncld.org

Heath Resource Center at George Washington University , national clearinghouse of information for individuals with disabilities . The center publishes an annually updated paper on financial resources:

http://www.heath.gwu.edu

Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, to assist persons with schizophrenia , schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder acquire educational and vocational skills to reintegrate into society and secure employment:

http://www.reintegration.com

 

COPING TIPS and STRATEGIES :

Siblings and Adult Children of Persons with Mental Illness:

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Coping_Tips_for_Siblings_and_Adult_Children_of_Persons_with_Mental_Illness.htm

 

Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering From Disasters and Other Traumatic Events:

http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=22

 

How to Deal with Grief:

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0104/default.asp

 

 

CREDIT COUNSELING and CONSUMER COMPLAINTS :

DebtAdvice.org is designed to help consumers understand the wise use of credit and locate a trained, certified counselor if you are in need of assistance. DebtAdvice.org is a service provided by the members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, (NFCC), most of them known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service : http://www.debtadvice.org/

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., help families end financial crisis and solve money management problems through education and professional counseling. By utilizing educational programs, professional counseling and money management instructions, Consolidated Credit establishes a customized program that fits your needs: http://www.consolidatedcredit.org/default.aspx?PartnerID=1098

Consumer Action serves consumers nationwide by advancing consumer rights, referring consumers to complaint-handling agencies through our free hotline, publishing educational materials in Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages, advocating for consumers in the media and before lawmakers: http://www.consumer-action.org/

National Federation of Credit Counselors, find a credit counselor for, in person, phone or internet counseling:

http://www.debtadvice.org/takethefirststep/locator.cfm

 

Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, find a credit counseling agency :

http://www.aiccca.org/find.cfm

 

Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts , consumer protection, workplace rights, heath care, and forms and publications:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagohomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Cago

 

Annual Credit Report, site set up by the big three credit reporting agencies in the U.S., to furnish free annual credit reports, as required by federal law :

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

 

Equifax, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.equifax.com

 

Experian, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.experian.com

 

TransUnion, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.transunion.com



CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING(CIT)/JAIL DIVERSION :


Crisis Intervention Team Resource Center, resources and links:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT2&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=68177

 

Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth ,

NAMI is pleased to announce the release of two new fact sheets designed to help advocates bring crisis intervention programs for youth to their the communities. The two fact sheets, " Family Advocacy: Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth Strengthening Schools and Communities " and " Law Enforcement Advocacy: Promoting Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth In Schools and Communities " offer strategies that NAMI families and their allies in law enforcement can use to bring these programs into their communities. These two fact sheets accompany NAMI's recently released guide " Supporting Schools and Communities in Breaking the Prison Pipeline: A Guide to Emerging and Promising Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth. " To learn more about crisis intervention programs for youth, contact Laura Usher or Dana Markey

Contact Laura Usher at Laurau@Nami.org or Dana Markey at danac@nami.org

Family Advocacy: Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth Strengthening Schools and Communities  = http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT2&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78997

Law Enforcement Advocacy: Promoting Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth in Schools and Communities
 =
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT2&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=79000

Supporting Schools and Communities in Breaking the Prison Pipeline: A Guide to Emerging and Promising Crisis Intervention Programs for Youth
 = http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT2&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=75265



The Role and Function of Mental Health Courts : The Council of State Governments Justice Center recently released, " Mental Health Courts : A Primer for Policymakers and Practitioners". The primer provides the field with its first comprehensive introduction to this increasingly popular specialty court model, which connects individuals with mental illnesses to treatment services while under court supervision. Mental health courts are one of many initiatives launched in the past two decades to address the large numbers of people with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice system . This guide is intended to provide an introductory overview of this approach for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates, and to link interested readers to additional resources. The primer is available as a free download at:

http://consensusproject.org/mhcp/mhc-primer.pdf

The National Shoplifting Prevention Coalition (NSPC) harnesses the collective efforts of retail and corporate entities, justice and law enforcement agencies and schools and community groups in a nationwide, non-partisan alliance to address shoplifting. Self-help groups, Home Study Kit programs for Adults, Spanish Adults and Juveniles to comply with court ordered treatment:

http://www.shopliftingprevention.org/main.asp

 

DENTAL SERVICES

 

Forsyth Institute Dental Hygiene Patient Services
is now located at the Mass College of Pharmacy at 101 Palace Road in Boston .
(617) 278-2700
http://www.colleges-fenway.org/news.shtm
Services include oral health exams, xrays, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments and teeth whitening services. Call spring and fall semesters of academic year.

Harvard Dental Center At The Harvard School of Dental Medicine
188 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02155
(617) 432-1434 x 1 (appt at teaching practice)
(617) 432-1434 x2 (appt at Faculty group practice)
http://www.harvarddentalcenter.harvard.edu/asp-html/
Student dentists, supervised by Harvard faculty, provide comprehensive care to patients in the fields of general dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics (including implant dentistry), endodontics, orthodontics and dental hygiene. The center accepts various dental insurance plans and MassHealth.

Quinsigamond Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic
670 West Boylston Street
Worcester , MA 01606
(508) 854-4306
http://www.qcc.mass.edu/dental/DH/clinic.htm
The clinic is open during the academic year (September - May). Services are provided by dental hygiene students under the supervision of licensed faculty members and a supervising dentist. A nominal fee is charged to defray the cost of supplies.

DISABILITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY :

Disability and SSI, official website of Social Security Administration:

http://www.ssa.gov/d&s1.htm

 

The Social Security Administration has the "Red Book: A Summary Guide to Employment Supports for Individuals with Disabilities " under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of SSDI and SSI programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities . It is available in English and Spanish at the following link:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/

Social Security Office Locator:

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp


Social Security Disability Representation, they get 25% of the retroactive SSDI award limited to $5,300:
http://www.allsup.com/Home.aspx

 

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT and TRAINING :

SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATING SENIORS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES :

The National Center for Learning Disabilities annual awards the Ann Ford Scholarship of $10,000 to an outstanding high school senior with a
learning disability who is committed to completing a college degree. For information,

visit www.ncld.org


Individual Members Planning and Accessing Choices Together" or "IMPACT ". It will be administered through the Statewide Employment Services Department (SES) of the MRC Community Services to provide work incentives planning and assistance services for individuals with disabilities who are interested in working or returning to work:

http://www.mass.gov:80/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Disability+Services&L3=Vocational+Rehabilitation+Services&L4=Statewide+Employment+Services+(SES)&L5=Project+IMPACT&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=mrc_c_vr_ses_impact&csid=Eeohhs2



Pine Street has offered job training and job readiness programs to homeless men and women. These programs provide participants with the skills neede to succeed in the journey back to employment. The Working Program provides housing for men and women who are working on a regular basis and saving their earnings to eventually move to private housing. The Employment assistance and support groups are also offered on site:

http://www.pinestreeinn.org:80/


Community Work Services of Boston makes it possible for the hardest-to-serve populations, including the homeless and severely disabled, to achieve self-sufficiency. We make a difference in their lives through an innovative approach that combines skills assessment, vocational training, placement services and post-placement coaching: http://www.cwsbos.com/


Disability Program Navigator at the One Stop Career Centers:
http://www.massworkforce.org/WorkforcePrograms/DCSPorgramService/DCS/Dpn/iIdex.htm


Pathways to Success by 21, (P21) envisions a youth system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that is efficient and effective in insuring that all youth have the tools and supports necessary to be productive citizens by 21:
http://www.p21.us/p21glance.htm

Job Seekers Page of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, job seekers information including One-Stop Career Centers and Special Programs:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Workers+and+Unions&L2=Job+Seekers&sid=Elwd

 

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, find an area office near you. Benefit programs, Assistive technology, Education and Training for the disabled, etc:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Massachusetts+Rehabilitation+Commission&sid=Eeohhs2

 

Mass. Executive office of Labor and Workforce Development, home page, Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Claims, Apprenticeship programs, etc.(Multilingual):

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdhomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Elwd

 

Job Corps, career technical training, education, and professional skills; to find the center closest to you and if you qualify for the program:

http://www.jobcorps.dol.gov

http://mifuturo.jobcorps.gov (spanish)

 

MSC is a network of SEE providers that operate within MA and provide motivated individuals with a range of “Career-Oriented” services that support their pursuit and realization of education or employment in the community:

http://www.seecoalition.org

 

Resource Partnership, uniting employers, rehabilitation and referral agencies, and people with disabilities:

http://www.resourcepartnership.org/

 

Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Recovery Education Program, Training for the Future and Individual Services in Recovery:

http://www.bu.edu/cpr/services/index.html

 

Jewish Vocational Services, JVS provides job search , employment assistance, education , training , career development , and support to individuals from all backgrounds:

http://www.jvs-boston.org/

 

Work, Inc., Rehabilitation services, Community Based Programs:

http://www.workinc.org/

 

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center ministries in the United States provide an in-residence rehabilitation program with a focus on basic necessities. Each beneficiary (program participant) is provided with a clean and healthy living environment, good food, work therapy, leisure time activities, group and individual counseling, spiritual direction, and resources to assist each person to develop life skills and a personal relationship with God as provided by Jesus Christ :

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/8326D9D2FE6B4C05802573250030A6E1?openDocument

 

Easter Seals, conducts an assessment of a person's interests, skills and knowledge that would be applicable to the workplace.  Secondly, the program offers skills training and the opportunity to receive assistance in career planning.  Finally, Easter Seals offers job seekers assistance to secure employment :

http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_jtehome

 

Heath Resource Center at George Washington University, national clearinghouse of information for individuals with disabilities. The center publishes an annually updated paper on financial resources:

http://www.heath.gwu.edu

 

Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, to assist persons with schizophrenia, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder acquire educational and vocational skills to reintegrate into society and secure employment:

http://www.reintegration.com

 

Mass. Association of 766 Approved Private Schools, dedicated to providing educational programs and services to students with special needs:

http://www.spedschools.com/

 

Massachusetts Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils, Parent's Desk Reference, professionals and services:

http://www.masspac.org/advocacy/pdr.htm

 

Mass. Special Education Parent Advisory Councils on-line:

http://www.concordspedpac.org/Pacs-in-Mass.html

 

 

ELDER SERVICES :

 


The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model is centered around the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. PACE serves individuals who are age 55 or older by their state to need nursing homecare, are able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment, and live in a PACE service area:


http://www.npaonline.org/website/article.asp?id=12

 

ElderLawAnswers provides legal information, not legal advice :

http://www.elderlawanswers.com/



Caregiver Homes provides community based housing options for elders and disabled adults in need of daily care and assistance:

http://www.caregiverhomes.com/

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, links to meals programs, government benefits, long term care facilities, etc. Also includes complete (PDF or Excel) list of Councils of Aging in the Commonwealth:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eldersterminal&L=2&L0=Home&L1=Service+Organizations+and+Advocates&sid=Eelders&b=terminalcontent&f=serviceorgs_coa&csid=Eelders

 

COPE-Community Outreach Programs for Seniors in Metro North area (mental health):

http://www.challiance.org/cope/welcome.shtml

 
The Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association (Mass-ALFA) is a non-profit association devoted to supporting the establishment and operation of quality assisted living residences in Massachusetts that provide appropriate supportive housing and services for individuals with varied needs and income levels:

http://www.massalfa.org/

Resources for Massachusetts Elders, click on the county map:

http://www.800ageinfo.com/map/

 

The Clearinghouse for Home and Community Based Services, promotes the development and expansion of home and community-based services by gathering resources and tools for research, policy making and program development into this one-stop website. By facilitating the sharing of information, we empower professionals to be more effective in supporting real choice and independence for older Americans and people with disabilities:

http://www.hcbs.org:80/

 

The Family Caregiver Handbook – Finding Elder Care Resources in Massachusetts :

http://web.mit.edu/workplacecenter/hndbk/sec5_prt2.html

 

Property Tax Relief for the Elderly:

http://www.mcoaonline.com/content/consumer/index.php

 

Massachusetts Alzheimers Association:

http://www.alzmass.org

 

  FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY SERVICES

 

American Association of Pastoral Counselors , Pastoral Counseling is a unique form of psychotherapy that uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) represents and sets professional standards for over 3,000 Pastoral Counselors and 100 pastoral counseling centers in North America and around the world:

http://www.aapc.org


Christian Recovery International, This coalition of ministries helps people in the Christian community find a safe and helpful place to recover from abuse, addiction, or trauma:

http://www.christianrecovery.com/


Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wisconsin (LCFS), A non-profit, licensed social service agency serving children, individuals, and families throughout the State of Wisconsin. Licensed therapists and psychologists help clients learn to cope with different crises in their lives and can provide Christian counseling , if requested:

http://www.lcfswi.org/


Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee , Inc., Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, Inc. is made up of centers in Tennessee that provide pastoral counseling treatment services for a variety of disorders, most with fees based on ability to pay:

http://www.pastoralcounselingctrs.org/


Pathways to Promise Ministry and Mental Illness, Pathways is an interfaith technical assistance and resource center which offers liturgical and educational materials, program models, and networking information for use with people with mental illness and their families:

http://www.pathways2promise.org/


FEDERAL and MASSACHUSETTS TAX FORMS and INFORMATION :

IRS forms and publications:

http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

 

IRS taxpayer assistance centers in Massachusetts :

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98286,00.html

 

Massachusetts forms and publications:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=dorsubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Individuals+and+Families&L2=Personal+Income+Tax&L3=Forms+%26+Publications&sid=Ador

 

Massachusetts guides, general information about Massachusetts tax laws and Department of Revenue policies and procedures:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=dorsubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Individuals+and+Families&L2=Help+%26+Resources&L3=Tax+Guides&sid=Ador

 

 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT :

United States House of Representatives, official website:

http://www.house.gov/

 

United States Senate, official website:

http://www.senate.gov/

 

The Whitehouse, official website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

 

Official gateway to all government information:

http://www.usa.gov/

 

 

FOOD STAMPS, FOOD PANTRIES and OTHER FOOD RESOURCES :

Project Bread's Food Source Hotline refers callers to food resources in their communities as well as information about food stamps and other nutrition programs. (Multilingual)

http://www.projectbread.org/site/PageServer?pagename=end_foodsourcehotline

 

Project Bread , a non-profit agency in Massachusetts , built this web site to help people in Massachusetts get food stamps (in Spanish also):

http://www.gettingfoodstamps.org/


Comprehensive lists of local resources including: DTA and WIC offices; food pantries, soup kitchens, and low-cost food sources; and information about school meals and summer meals available in several non-English versions. 

http://www.projectbread.org/site/PageServer?pagename=end_foodresourceguides



GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUESTIOINING OR INTERSEX (GLBTQI)


Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, or Intersex (GLBTQI)

National Coalition for LGBT Health :

www.lgbthealth.net

 

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Information, advocacy and support.
Phone: (866) 427-3524 :

www.pflag.org

GLBT Help Line : (for all ages, lines open 6pm-11pm EST)

(888) 340-4528

LGBT Suicide Prevention Hotline :

(800) 850-8078

www.TheTrevorProject.org

GLBTQI Mental Health: Recommendations for Policies and Services

an advocacy companion to this publication is available at:

www.nami.org/glbt

The Rainbow Heights Club , Brooklyn, NY :

www.rainbowheights.org

Hearts & Ears, Inc. , Baltimore, MD :

www..heartsandears.org

LGBT Youth Peer Listening Line : (lines open 5pm-11pm EST)

(800) 399-PEER (7337)

Handbook of LGBT Issues in Community Mental Health ,

Ed. Ronald E. Hellman, M.D., and Jack Drescher, M.D., Haworth Press, 2005

 

 

HEALTH INSURANCE :

Health Care For All, healthcare resources, public and private programs (Multilingual):

http://www.hcfama.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=770&grandparentID=496&parentID=767

 

Massachusetts Commonwealth Connector, it's mission it to help you find the right health plan and avoid tax penalties:

http://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector/

 

Mass Health, official government site to apply for Medicaid, prescription drugs list and other information:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&sid=Eeohhs2&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=MassHealth

 

Medicare, Medicare and you booklet (current year), eligibility, Prescription Drug Plans (current year), and other information:

http://www.medicare.gov/

 

Extra help for Medicare (Part D) beneficiaries: help with lowered premiums and co-pays if you have limited income and resources, find out if you are eligible and apply online, in English and Spanish:

http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/

 

Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) provides health insurance counseling services to the elderly and disabled adults. SHINE counselors are trained to handle complex questions:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eldersterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Health+Care&L2=Serving+the+Health+Information+Needs+of+Elders+(SHINE)&sid=Eelders&b=terminalcontent&f=shine_overview&csid=Eelders

 

Health Law Advocates, for assistance to appeal denials of coverage by private health insurance plans and government programs, actions to reduce large medical bills.

http://www.hla-inc.org

 

Mass. Dept. of Public Health, Office of Patient Protection, Managed Care Protections and Grievances (Consumer Guide, Frequently Asked Questions also in many languages, Internal and External Review Process, etc.):

http://www.state.ma.us/dph/opp :

 

HEALTHY CHOICES :


Small Step Adult and Teen, get the facts, eat better, get active, learn more:

smallsteps.gov


Canned Food, the easy way to eat right:

mealtime.org


The Daily Plate, helping you eat smarter, the easy free way to track what your eating each day:

thedailyplate.com


So you wannna get a cheap home workout?:

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/homeworkout/homeworkout.html

 

HOTLINES/HELPLINES :

Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery, Services and Resources:

http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?node_id=9808


National Suicide hotline : 1-800-784-2433


The Trauma Center at JRI, help individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by trauma and adversity to re-establish a sense of safety and predictability in the world, and to provide them with therapeutic care as they reclaim, rebuild and renew their lives:

http://www.traumacenter.org/
 

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, Local Crisis Centers in Mass:

http://centers.rainn.org/

 

Jane Doe Inc., Mass Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Massachusetts Rape Crisis Center :

http://www.janedoe.org/safety.htm

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

http://www.ndvh.org/help/index.html

 

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, confidential 24 hour hotline is available for women who have questions, are confused, or are in emergency situations looking for a safe place to stay:

http://www.atask.org./

 

The Child-Help USA 1-800-422-4453 crisis line assists both child and adult survivors of abuse, including sexual abuse. The hotline, staffed by mental health professionals, also provides treatment referrals .

http://www.childhelp.org/

 

Gay, Lesbian, BiSexual & Transgender National Help Center :

http://www.glnh.org/hotline/index.html

 

Parents Stress Line: 800-632-8188

 

Disabled Person's Protection Hotline, Adults (Ages 18-59) can report physical abuse or neglect by their caretakers: 617-727-6469 or 800-426-9009

 

Baby Safe Haven:

http://www.babysafehaven.com/

 

Child-At-Risk Hotline, report child abuse: 1-800-792-5200

 

Su Familia" National Hispanic Family Health Helpline: 866-783-2645

 

 

HOUSING RESOURCES :


Know Your Rights! Get a Rent Freeze When You Go To Work (click here)

Rent Freeze Basics for Public and Subsidized Housing Tenants Who Go To Work (click here)

 

Renters in Foreclosure Toolkit: the following are documents that can help you spread the word about the new law The Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act is Title VII of Public Law 111-22:

http://www.nlihc.org/template/page.cfm?id=227

 

MASSCAP: fuel and food assistance, early education and care and Head Start , adult basic education and job training, affordable housing , financial education and asset development, and more:

http://www.masscap.org/agencies.html




The Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) offers free pick-up and delivery of furniture for the homeless through their Donations Clearinghouse. DCH provides donated items of furniture and household goods to families and individuals moving out of shelter to permanent housing, victims of fire, or those fleeing domestic violence, DSS reunification and elders at risk. Household items are distributed to them free of charge.  A referral from a case-worker is required in order to access services, 508-791-7265, extension 22.

http://www.cmhaonline.org/


Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, l ocated at 15 Bubier Street in Lynn. This organization accepts larger items such as beds and couches as well as smaller furniture items such as tables, nightstands and chairs. These donations are then given to individuals who are struggling with poverty or who were recently homeless. Furniture Donation 781.595.7570 x13,  Request Furniture or Client Referral 781.595.7570 x11

http://www.mahomeless.org/programs/donationassistance.html


Mission of Deeds gives donated furniture to families in need throughout Middlesex and Essex counties. Social service agencies refer clients to Mission of Deeds for assistance. Many of the 650 plus clients we help each year have been referred by the staff at shelters for homeless or battered women and their children. Other referring agencies include those that specialize in helping the elderly who have no family support or those that assist parents who are not financially able to provide beds and other necessities for their children. Learn more about the application process and get the form used to apply, by downloading and printing out a copy of the MOD Information and Application Packet on MOD website. Contact Mission of Deeds at (781) 944-9797 or via email at info@missionofdeeds.org .

http://www.missionofdeeds.org/index.html


My Brother's Keeper. This organization picks up furniture donations in several towns throughout Massachusetts at no cost to you. Your donations are then given to families in need throughout the state. My Brother's Keeper only accepts personal furniture donations, such as beds, kitchen tables and lamps. (508) 238-7512. Service area:  Abington, Avon, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Dedham,  East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Mansfield, Milton, Norton, Norwood, Pembrook, Quincy, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, Taunton, West Bridgewater, Westwood, Weymouth, Whitman 

http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org/furniture.htm


Saint Vincent De Paul Furniture & Donations “Due to the Massachusetts Board of Health laws we are unable to accept mattresses and/or boxsprings.

http://www.svdpboston.com/mod.php?mod=faq&op=ShowFaq&myfaq=yes&id_cat=9&categories =

Thrift Store Locations

http://www.svdpboston.com/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=21

Salvation Thrift Store Locations

http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use_mas.nsf/



Rent Freeze Basics for Public and Subsidized Housing Tenants Who Go to Work: A Guide for Mass . Community Service Providers

http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=195&type=audience&id=11


Massachusetts Public and Subsidized Housing Tenants: Know Your Rights ! Get a Rent Freeze When You Go to Work

http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=194&type=audience&id=11


Household Goods Recycling Ministry, provides recycled household goods to the needy individuals and families of our surrounding communities at no charge, through the use of volunteers, and in cooperation with religious organizations of all faiths and denominations, human service agencies, service organizations, and commercial businesses:

http://www.hgrm.org/




Tenant's Rights: What Tenants in Forclosed Properties Need to Know:

http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/foreclosure/tenantpamph.pdf



Cascap is dedicated to providing individuals with differing needs the opportunity to live, learn, and grow with dignity in the communities of Somerville and Cambridge:

http://www.cascap.org/REO/management/housing/opportunities.htm



Mass Access, the accessible housing registry is a free program that helps people with disabilities find rental housing in Massachusetts, primarily accessible and barrier-free housing :

www.massaccesshousingregistry.org

 

MassHousing finances the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing throughout Massachusetts . Use this link for housing lists which you can view or print out and then contact the site office or management company to inquire about unit availability and the application process: https://www.masshousing.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=422&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=3&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership, tenant programs:

http://www.mbhp.org/pages.asp?p=79&c=22

 

Massachusetts Sober Housing Corp., provides sober housing for individuals in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction :

http://www.soberhousing.com/

 

Rental Assistance Programs administrative plans, applications and documentation:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedsubtopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Housing+Development&L2=Rental+Assistance+Management&sid=Ehed

 

Section 8 Made Simple , publication written in clear language about Section 8:

http://www.tacinc.org/Pubs/housingpubs.htm

 

Massachusetts Dept. of Housing and Community Development: how to obtain housing assistance, foreclosure assistance listing by town and other resources:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedagencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Economic+Analysis&L2=Executive+Office+of+Housing+and+Economic+Development&L3=Department+of+Housing+and+Community+Development&sid=Ehed

 

Berkshire Housing Development Corp. and Housing Services Inc., rental assistance programs:

http://www.berkshirehousing.com/bh/leasing_sales.html

 

Community Teamwork, Inc. Division of Housing and Homeless Services ( Merrimack Valley ):

http://www.comteam.org/div_housing_homeless.htm

 

Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, rental assistance programs:

http://www.fchra.org/

 

HAP, Inc., rental assistance programs for Hampshire and Hampden counties:

http://www.hhhp.org/programs

 

Housing Assistance Corp,, rental assistance and shelters for all of Cape Cod :

http://www.haconcapecod.org/ViewPage.asp?PageID=2

 

Resources for Communities and People (RCAP), housing assistance and client resources (Worcester and Gardner offices):

http://www.rcapsolutions.org/supportive_services.htm

 

South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), rental assistance programs:

http://www.smoc.org/index.asp?pgid=26

 

South Shore Housing,

http://www.southshorehousing.org/tenants.html

 

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, shelter lists:

http://www.mahomeless.org/Resources/shelter/Individualshelters/expindshelter.html

 

Shelter Resource Listing :

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedterminal&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Economic+Analysis&L2=Executive+Office+of+Housing+and+Economic+Development&L3=Department+of+Housing+and+Community+Development&L4=Contact+Listings&sid=Ehed&b=terminalcontent&f=dhcd_contacts_shelterlist&csid=Ehed

 

Tenancy Against Homelessness: 617-854-1089

 

Housing Works is committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness, Housing Works operates 143 units of supportive housing, and take special pride in the appearance and quality of each. They are the homes that serve as the foundation for empowering our clients .

http://www.housingworks.org/new/housing.html

 

 

IDENTITY THEFT :

Federal Trade Commission, on this site consumer can learn how to avoid identity theft – and learn what to do if their identity is stolen:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

 

Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, this is similar to the FTC's website and the AG offers a Guide to ID Theft for Victims and Consumers:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagosubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer+Protection&L2=Scams+and+Identity+Theft&L3=Identity+Theft&sid=Cago

 

Equifax, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.equifax.com

 

Experian, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.experian.com

 

TransUnion, one of three credit bureaus:

http://www.transunion.com

 

Annual Credit Report, site set up by the big three credit reporting agencies in the United States, to furnish free annual credit reports, as required by federal law:

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

 

 

INSURANCE:

The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial futures. The main topics addressed in their educational efforts are life, disability, long-term care and health insurance. LIFE does not endorse any product, company or insurance advisor.

http://www.lifehappens.org/

 

Mass. Division of Insurance, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Information for Consumers – consumer guides about various types of insurance policies:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ocatopic&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Insurance&sid=Eoca

InsureMASS Insurance Premium Comparison Website, Auto Insurance Rate Comparison Tool. This site produces sample insurance premiums for typical drivers with various backgrounds and levels of experience. Your actual premium may differ significantly from the sample based on specific information that you will provide to a company when you apply for insurance.

http://www.autoratecompare.doi.state.ma.us/ircsearch1.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

KIDS AND TEENS :

 

Going to College, A resource for teens with disabilities:

http://www.going-to-college.org/

 

Transitional Age Youth at Parent Information Network (TAYatPIN) is a program that provides educational and support services for parents and caregivers of youth, ages 14 to 25 years. Services and outreach to parents are provided through the facilitation of focus groups, parent support groups , and one-on-one support:

http://www.tayatpin.org/



As the nation's leading organization working to reduce emotional distress
and prevent suicide among college students , The Jed Foundation is
protecting the mental health of students across the country:

http://www.jedfoundation.org

 

American Social Health Association , learn about STD's :

http://www.ashastd.org/



MPower:Musicians for Mental Health:

http://www.mpoweryouth.org/411ReadStory.htm


Mental Illness:What a Difference a Friend makes:

http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/


Half of Us:through Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation want to
initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of
mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate
resources to get help:

http://www.halfofus.com/


Ulifeline, your online resource for college mental health:

http://www.ulifeline.org/main/Home.html

NIDA for teens, The Science Behind Drug Abuse :

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php

Facts on Tap

http://www.factsontap.org/factsontap/students.htm

National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse of the National Institute
of Health :

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/


The Higher Education Support Toolkit, developed by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation , provides disability service staff and health care staff with a simple way to work with students who are experiencing challenges arising from their psychiatric disability. The toolkit is available as a free download at the Center's website at:

http://www.bu.edu/cpr/resources/supportstudents/ .


Bridge Over Troubled Waters' mission is to enable high-risk, runaway and homeless youth to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood through prevention, intervention, and education services. Serving youth ages 14 – 24 each year, Bridge offers a comprehensive range of health, educational, career and housing services. Bridge is the only agency in the Boston area to provide a continuum of age-appropriate services.

http://www.bridgeotw.org/index.html



Depressedteens.com , an educational site dedicated to helping teenagers and their parents and educators understand the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and provide
resources for those ready to reach out and get the help they need:

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index


Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/Childrens%20Books%20by%20topic1.pdf


b) Under Mental Health and Substance Abuse Publications : Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/Childrens%20Books%20by%20topic1.pdf


Adult Books for Parents and Professionals in the Family Resource Center Behavioral Health Library NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital by title and author:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/documents/Adult%20booklist%20BHL.pdf


NAMI Child & Adolescent Center :

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Child_and_Teen_Support&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=72&ContentID=54313


Friendships Count


Friendships Count is the second anti-stigma public service campaign aimed at teens. Check out the Web site: www.friendshipscount.com
Watch the video: www.youtube.com/friendshipscount2
To find local resources, check out links offered by the Mental Heath Connection of Tarrant County www.mentalhealthconnection.org/local_resources.php



Active Minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses, find a chapter at a college campus you're attending or going to attend:

www.activeminds.org




Hip Hop Mental Health is doing innovative work around mental health from social justice and cultural perspectives. A video excerpt of their hip hop theater piece "LOW", news about what they have been doing lately and their mission :

www.hiphopmentalhealth.org


Young Adult Services at South Shore Mental Health:

http://www.ssmh.org/YoungAdultServices.html


Copecaredeal.org, a mental health site for teens, focuses on coping skills and healthy living:

http://www.copecaredeal.org/

 

KidsHealth has separate areas for kids , teens , and parents — each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are literally thousands of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources — all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens:

http://www.kidshealth.org/

 

Girlshealth.gov, this website focuses on health topics that girls are concerned about and helps motivate them to choose healthy behaviors by using positive, supportive, and non-threatening messages:

http://www.girlshealth.gov/

 

MedlinePlus:Teen Mental Health:

http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=teen+mental+health

 

Itsallright is an Australian website where you can read the diaries of four fictional teenagers touched by mental illness. It also has useful factsheets on mental illness including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders;

http://www.itsallright.org/

 

Depressed Teens: an educational site dedicated to helping teenagers and their parents and educators understand the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and provide resources for those ready to reach out and get the help they need :

http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index

 

 

LEGAL RESOURCES :

Mass. Housing Courts by County: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/housingcourt/index.html#county Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the Mass. Housing Court for Tenant/Landlord Disputes including Mediation as an option:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/housingcourt/housingquestions.html#19



The Lawyers Clearinghouse provides pro bono legal services to nonprofit organizations,  groups seeking nonprofit status, and guests of area homeless shelters . We offer lawyers meaningful and rewarding pro bono opportunities. We also provide educational programs for nonprofit organizations and lawyers:

http://www.lawyersclearinghouse.org/index.php



2008 edition of Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts . This handbook provides practical information about tenants' rights in private housing—housing that is owned by an individual or a privately owned company. In each chapter, reference is made to sample letters and court forms. To get these forms see the list below or go to Self Help Forms where these same forms are organized by topic. If you live in public housing , go to the Public Housing section. You may also purchase Legal Tactics from Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education by calling 1-800-966-6253 :

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/legal-tactics1




"Student Mental Health and the Law ", a new document from the JED Foundation, is a comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health.  This guide provides clarification of FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ), disability law, and other legal issues colleges face, and includes guidelines for addressing campus mental health and working with students in distress:

http://www.jedfoundation.org/assets/TJFLegalResource.pdf




Campus Mental Health: Know Your Rights!

A guide for students who want to seek help for mental illness or emotional distress. Produced by the Leadership21 Committee of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Chapters include: You are Not Alone, Seeking Help, Privacy, Academic Accomaodations, Discipline, Involuntary Leave of Absence, Going to a Psychiatric Hospital, Forced Medication, Resources:

http://www.bazelon.org/l21/rightsguide.htm

 

Parenting & Child Custody Issues Toolkit for People with Behavioral Health Problems

The UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration has developed a free tool kit for parents with serious mental illnesses. Research indicates that mothers with serious mental illnesses are almost three times more likely than mothers without such illnesses to have been involved in the child welfare system or to have lost custody of their children. The tool kit helps parents who have lost custody or are at risk of losing custody of their children, helps parents in recovery from mental illnesses with parenting issues, and offers guidance for professionals as well. The tool
kit, "Helping Behavioral Health Clients with Parenting & Child Custody Issues," may be downloaded at:

http://www.upennrrtc.org/resources/view.php?tool_id=185






Mass. Trial Court Law Libraries, Forms etc. for granparent visitation, healthcare proxy, etc.

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/formsf-l.html


Dial-A-Lawyer, free legal advice is available on the first Wednesday of each month. Attorneys volunteer at the MBA's Boston headquarters by providing free, basic legal information by phone to callers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. , to assist anyone and everyone, but particularly those who are not eligible for free legal services or cannot afford to hire a lawyer.


To use Dial-A-Lawyer, call (617) 338-0610:


Legal aid services throughout the state.

http://www.masslegalservices.org/perl/services.cgi

 

Know your rights, various brochures from the Mental Health Legal Advisory Committee (tenant rights, patient rights, DMH complaint process, etc.):

http://www.mass.gov/mhlac/guide.htm

 

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination:

http://www.mass.gov/mcad/

 

Disability Law Center of Massachusetts . DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities:

http://www.dlc-ma.org/

 

Center for Public Representation, dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities

http://www.centerforpublicrep.org/

 

Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: 

http://www.massbar.org/public-and-community-services/need-a-lawyer

 

Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services, t he office focuses on four issues: health and mental health care, guard-on-prisoner violence, physical conditions of confinement, and segregation and isolation, (they do not provide criminal defense services):

http://www.mcls.net/

 

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Hotline in English and Spanish M-F 1:30-4:30pm , HIV related protections, Gay/Straight Alliances, transgender issues and helps with harassment:

http://glad.org

 

Volunteer Lawyers Project, handles cases in the Metro Boston area, mainly housing (including foreclosure or bankruptcy), family (divorce), consumer related, public benefits (primarily SSI), and wills and probate for the elderly:

http://www.vlpnet.org

 

Law library online, reference library which provides some resources for legal help with mental health issues:

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/mentalhealth.html

 

American Bar Association, Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Massachusetts :

http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/lris/directory/main.cfm?id=MA

 

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

 

Committee for Public Counsel (CPC), Mental Health Litigation Unit, provide trial and appellate representation to indigent persons against whom are filed petitions seeking commitment to public or private psychiatric facilities or judicial authorization to administer or terminate certain types of treatment (e.g., antipsychotic medication, aversive behavior modification, life-support mechanisms). The CPC also trains, and is available to assist, criminal defense attorneys in respect to mental health issues that arise in the criminal justice context (e.g., competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility).

http://www.publiccounsel.net/Practice_Areas/Mental_Health/civil_mental_health_index.html

 

Committee for Public Counsel (CPC), Children and Family Law (CAFL) Program provides legal representation to children and indigent parents in child welfare matters, including care and protection proceedings, children in need of services cases (CHINS), actions to terminate parental rights, state agency-sponsored guardianships, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Social Services (DSS) is a party or where the court is considering granting custody to DSS.  In Massachusetts , both children and indigent parents have a right to representation by counsel in child welfare cases:

http://www.publiccounsel.net/Practice_Areas/cafl_pages/civil_cafl_index.html

 

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston , non-profit organization soley focused on ending illegal housing discrimination in the greater Boston area, serving the communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk , Plymouth , and Suffolk counties :

http://www.bostonfairhousing.org/


Find a lawyer in your area


http://lawyers.findlaw.com/?DCMP=KWC-GOOGLAWYER0804;KWC-GOOGLAWYER0804&DNAid=19827,8,84207,28315503,243009809,1213310535,,0,0


FindLaw for the Public, thousands of articles and resources in scores of categories to help the public with a wide range of legal issues, from bankruptcy to landlord/tenant law to selecting a lawyer:

http://public.findlaw.com/

 

The Youth Advocacy Project offers legal representation and advocacy to children under 17 years old who are charged as delinquents or youthful offenders. The Youth Advocacy Project provides these services at a number of stages. The Youth Advocacy Project can offer advice and consultation on general delinquency issues.

http://www.youthadvocacyproject.org/about/model.htm

 

Minority Law Resources:

http://www.aalam.org/resources.shtml

 

The CORI Reader, (38 page PDF prepared by Mass. Law Reform Institute):

http://www.masslegalservices.org/docs/3d_Ed-2d_Rev.pdf

 

Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI):

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopssubtopic&L=4&sid=Eeops&L0=Home&L1=Crime+Prevention+%26+Personal+Safety&L2=Background+Check&L3=Criminal+Offender+Record+Information+(CORI)

 

Mass. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Find a Lawyer:

http://www.macdl.com/findLawyer.php


Tenant's Rights: What Tenants in Forclosed Properties Need to Know:

http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/foreclosure/tenantpamph.pdf

 

LEGAL SERVICES to DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN :

 

Children's Law Center of Massachusetts, providing direct representation to low income children in Eastern Massachusetts, and technical assistance and training to lay and professional communities throughout New England on issues affecting children's education, civil rights, custody, health and welfare.:

http://www.clcm.org/

 

Massachusetts Advocates for Children, non-profit organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities

http://www.massadvocates.org/home

 

 

MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNMENT :

Commonwealth of Massachusetts – legislators, legislation, laws, committees, etc.:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/

 

To find your election information, who are your state and federal legislators, how to register to vote, etc.:

http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts , the official website:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2homepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=massgov2

 

 

MEDICAL SERVICES :

Massachusetts Community Health Centers (by town):

http://www.massleague.org/HealthCenters-ByCityTown.htm

 

Massachusetts Hospitals:

http://www.mhalink.org/public/mahospitals/

 

Directory of Massachusetts Hospitals and Medical Centers :

http://www.masshome.com/med.html

 

Massachusetts Board of Registration; Physicians Profiles, Complaint Process, Tips for choosing a doctor, How to Obtain Vital Records, etc:

http://www.massmedboard.org/consumer/

 

Find a Doctor, American Medical Association:

http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html

 

Find a Doctor, Dentist, or Hospital in Massachusetts :

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/care-providers/

 

 

MEDICATIONS :


CVS is offering generic drugs at a discounted price, see details in link.
It is not an insurance plan.  The program does require a ten dollar
membership fee.  It may be useful for people with very limited insurance
coverage and people who are uninsured for various reasons.


http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1046


NeedyMeds.org has information on medicine and healthcare assistance programs. They do not run a patient assistance program , and they do not supply medicine or financial assistance :


http://www.needymeds.org/




Walgreens Prescription Savings Club:

https://webapp.walgreens.com/MYWCARDWeb/servlet/walgreens.wcard.proxy.WCardInternetProxy/RxSavingsRH


Walmart $4 Prescriptions Program:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?adid=1500000000000006955330&cat=546834&dest=120741


The Target $4 Generic Drug Program:

http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/generic_drugs.jsp?sort=alpha



Hannaford Healthy Saver Plus:

http://www.hannaford.com/Contents/Our_Stores/In_Store




MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/


MassMedLine is a free, confidential service available to all Massachusetts residents who are seeking information regarding their medications. Whether you are having difficulties affording your medications or want to know
what the side effects are to your prescriptions, MassMedLine can help, 866-633-1617:

http://www.massmedline.com/for_patients/index.html

 

General information about medications, at the NAMI website:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=About_Medications

 

Ask the Pharmacist, questions pharmacists are often asked and answered are periodically placed at the NAMI website:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Ask_the_Pharmacist&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=61&ContentID=28925

 

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs, http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Index to Drug-Specific Information:

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/DrugSafety/DrugIndex.htm

 

 

MENTAL HEALTH and SUBSTANCE ABUSE PUBLICATIONS:

FEDERAL GUIDE TO HELP PARENTS MAKE SAFE CHOICES WHEN CHOOSING A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THEIR CHILDREN
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released the first-ever federal consumer guide to assist parents in choosing a safe residential treatment program for their children. The guide was issued as part of FTC's investigation into the deceptive marketing practices of some residential treatment programs, which was requested by
Rep. George Miller (D-CA):

http://www.ftc. gov/bcp/edu/ pubs/consumer/ products/ pro27.pdf




Family Guide:Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free:

http://www.family.samhsa.gov/




Healthyplace.com is the largest consumer mental health site on the net. We provide authoritative information and support to people with mental health concerns, along with their family members and other loved ones:

http://www.healthyplace.com/



Family Guide:Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free:

http://www.family.samhsa.gov/

Drug & alcohol abuse , treatment & prevention:

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/

The American Council for Drug Education is a substance abuse prevention
and education agency that develops programs and materials based on the
most current scientific research on drug use and its impact on society:
http://www.acde.org

Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/Childrens%20Books%20by%20topic1.pdf


Adult Books for Parents and Professionals in the Family Resource Center Behavioral Health Library NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital by title and author:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/documents/Adult%20booklist%20BHL.pdf




New Harbinger Publications , research-based, user-friendly self-help books:

http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NAMI_Store/New_Harbinger_Publishers/New_Harbinger_Publications.htm

National Institute on Drug Abuse , publications in English and Spanish

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/driving.html

Chinese Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=MIO&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=13569

Portuguese Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=MIO&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=14548

Spanish Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Recursos_en_espa%F1ol&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15200

Chosing the Right Treatment - What Families Need to Know about Evidence-Based Practices (In Spanish):

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/CAAC/Recursos_en_Espa%F1ol.htm

National Institute of Mental Health, Publications:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/index.shtml

Federal Citizen Information Center, free government health publications, most available in Spanish:


http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id=16&startat=1&--woSECTIONdatarq=16--SECTIONSword=ww
 

Selection of books, brochures, posters and other items at the NAMI store:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Nami_Store

 

Two guides designed to help patients, families, and physicians make informed decisions about obtaining and administering the most appropriate care for a child with ADHD or depression:

http://www.parentsmedguide.org/

 

SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is the Nation's one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment :

http://csat.samhsa.gov/publications.aspx

 

SAMHSA's fact sheets and other materials for Children and Families about Children's and Adolescent Mental Health (most available in Spanish):

http://nmhicstore.samhsa.gov/cmhs/ChildrensCampaign/pubs.aspx

 

The Parents' How-To Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in Massachusetts, The Boston Bar Association, with support from Children's Hospital Boston, has developed the guide to Services in Massachusetts, which answers all of these questions and more. It takes you through the mental health system step by step, from deciding if your child needs care to getting specific services:

http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site1936/mainpageS1936P18sublevel16.html

 

NAMI NH Guidebook for Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disorders (downloadable for free or purchase a hardcopy):

http://naminh.org/support-child-caregiver-guidebook.php

 

National Association of School Psychologists, information for families (many in multiple languages:

http://www.nasponline.org/families/index.aspx

 

Health brochures and booklets sent directly to you, (most available in Spanish):

http://www.healthpublications.com/

 

Patient-Family Guides that can be downloaded (PDF files):

http://www.psychguides.com/pfg

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Print Publications:

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/catalog/alpha.html

 

FEMA for Kids: After the Disaster: A Children's Mental Health Checklist: http://www.fema.gov/kids/tch_mntl.htm

 

MENTAL HEALTH MAGAZINES :


Esperanza - How to cope with anxiety and depression: http://www.hopetocope.com/Item.aspx?id=480


Anchor: "Conquering Depression", magazine offers: motivating personal stories about people living with and overcoming depression; information-packed features about medication and treatment options; news and research developments; recommendations for healthy living; and strategies for coping with depressive disordersmagazine:

http://www.anchormag.com/e107_plugins/szproducts/product_details.php?product_id=57

SZ, Schizophrenia Magazine, ensures you have access to the latest news and information about schizophrenia, as well as inspirational stories about people affected by the disorder:

http://www.schizophreniadigest.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.14

bp is their magazine-filled with hope, inspiration, newsfeatures, and educational information on building a healthy lifestyle,including: stress reduction, exercise and sleep, treatments,relationships, and employment:

http://www.bphope.com/

Moods magazine is a publication provides educational information in layperson terms to the general public, educational institutions, and to the workplace. Moods emphasizes prevention through education, and supplies those living with a mood disorder (and illnesses that may be simultaneously present, such as addictions, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, etc.) with easy-to-read, useful information, while also diminishing the stigma attached to mental illness:

http://www.moodsmag.com/

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES :

FEDERAL GUIDE TO HELP PARENTS MAKE SAFE CHOICES WHEN CHOOSING A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THEIR CHILDREN
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released the first-ever federal consumer guide to assist parents in choosing a safe residential treatment program for their children. The guide was issued as part of FTC's investigation into the deceptive marketing practices of some residential treatment programs, which was requested by
Rep. George Miller (D-CA):

http://www.ftc. gov/bcp/edu/ pubs/consumer/ products/ pro27.pdf


American Residential Treatment Association, Member organizations of ARTA offer a variety of services and are able to respond to a wide range of needs. Members will be talk with you about their programs and how they might address your specific set of circumstances:

http://www.artausa.org/



Massachusetts Board of Registration; Physicians Profiles, Complaint Process, Tips for choosing a doctor, How to Obtain Vital Records, etc:

http://www.massmedboard.org/consumer/


COPA Directory: a directory of consumer-operated programs and activities in Massachusetts :

http:// www.buzz.freeshell.org/ngbcan/pdf/copa.pdf

Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Mental+Health&sid=Eeohhs2


MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES' NEW ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL RESILIENCY AND RECOVERY

Free Resource Available to Families, Mental Health Consumers and Providers. The e-Learning Center is a free resource that currently hosts 10 interactive "e-courses" in English and in Spanish, offering in-depth strategies and techniques for promoting resiliency and recovery. The e-courses include testimonials of personal experiences that provide motivation and each can be completed in 30- 45 minutes:

www.magellanhealth.com/training

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) has a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services (includes find a provider, list of emergency service providers):

http://www.masspartnership.com/index.aspx

BMC Healthnet Behavioral Health Services :

http://www.bmchp.org/pages/home_our_locations.aspx



Fallon Community Health Plan, Find a doctor (behavioral health):

http://www.fchp.org/FindPhysician/


Independent Living Centers of Massachusetts, Information and Referral, Skills Training and Peer Mentoring are the backbone of Direct Services:

http://www.masilc.org/docs/addresses.html

 

State Mental Health Resources for Massachusetts , Searchable Databases at the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the U. S. (SAMHSA):

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/kdata.aspx?state=MA

 

Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, a “clubhouse” is a place where people who have mental illness come to rebuild and/or regain control of their social and economic lives:

http://www.massclubs.org/

 

Social Worker Therapy Referral Service (a service of the Massachusetts Association of Social Workers), one-on-one and group therapy:

http://www.therapymatcher.org/index.html

 

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Social Worker:

http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaCity.asp?profession=Social_Worker

 

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder

 

Find a Psychologist, American Psychologist Association:

http://locator.apa.org/

 

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Psychologist:

http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaCity.asp?profession=Psychologist

 

Find a Psychiatrist and other resources, American Psychiatric Association:

http://www.healthyminds.org/locateapsychiatrist.cfm

 

Find a Doctor, American Medical Association:

http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html

 

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Mental Health Counselor:

http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaCity.asp?profession=Mental_Health_Counselor

 

Find a counselor, American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC):

http://www.aapc.org/directory.cfm

 

Find a Therapist, on-line and phone counseling for anyone (individual, child, etc):

http://www.find-a-therapist.com/

 

Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, use drop down menus to narrow search:

http://www.nacbt.org/searchfortherapists.asp

 

Find a Dialectic Behavioral Therapist, click on the state:

http://www.bpdcentral.com/resources/therapist/main.php

 

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Directory for Spanish-speaking and Culturally-informed Private Practice Referrals for Mental Health:

http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?node_id=2177

 

Association of Black Psychologists, Psychologists listing for Massachusetts :

http://www.abpsi.org/listing.htm#Anchor-MASSACUHUSETT-56416

 

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, the Office of Minority Health, Information and referral offers customized responses to telephone, e-mail and mail inquiries:

http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=61

 

Muslim Mental Health Professionals in the US & Canada, page down for the state:

http://www.crescentlife.com/psychexperts/directory_of_muslim_mental_health_professionals.htm

 

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), people with mental health issues have can have hope, control over their lives, develop self-directed wellness plans, and recover, working toward meeting their own life dreams and goals:

http://www.mentalhealthrecovery.com/

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS :


UMASS Pension Action Center, providing assistance to individuals having trouble understanding or obtaining their pension benefits:
http://www.pensionaction.org

Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry:

https://www.madonotcall.govconnect.com/Welcome.asp

 

Federal Do Not Call Registry:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

 

Catalog Choice, eliminate unwanted catalogs you receive in the mail:

http://www.catalogchoice.org/

 

Federal Trade Commission, Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go to “Just Say No”:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm

 

 

MISSING PERSONS ASSISTANCE :

Missing Persons Support; resources for people searching for loved ones with mental illness who are missing persons:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Missing_Persons&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=47397&lstid=839

 

National Center for Missing Adults:

http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/index.php

 

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

http://www.missingkids.com/

 

Salvation Army USA, Missing Persons – guidelines and procedures, etc.:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/5D969AF479D05F78852574410045EEB5?openDocument

 

 

MULTICULTURAL :

NAMI Multicultural Action Center ,

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Multicultural_Support&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=56&ContentID=42137

 
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has created a Spanish-language website to help Spanish-speaking individuals with depression and bipolar disorder and their caregivers. The website fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information:

www.dbsalianza.org

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, The Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC) is the nation's largest repository of information on health issues specific to African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.

http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=61

 

Healthfinder.gov, Encuentre aquí en el healthfinder.gov español las últimas informaciones y respuestas a las preguntas hechas con más frecuencia. Selecione una letra de la lista alfabética inferior para empezar a hojear los temas de salud:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/espanol/

 

Regional Office for Minority Health:

http://www.omhrc.gov/images/mappings2.cfm?region=1

 

Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, their mission is to generate innovative mental health services research that helps shape policy, practice and service delivery to reduce disparities and improve the well-being of multicultural populations:

http://www.multiculturalmentalhealth.org/

 

Center for Multicultural Mental Health, Behavioral Health Disaster Response Training Program:

http://www.cmmh-cmtp.com/services-bhdrtp.php

 

SAMHSA's Culturally Specific Mental Health Resources:

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cre/resource5.asp

 

National Alliance for Hispanic Health, their goal is to improve health for all by using the Hispanic experience as a way to design a better system for health prevention and care. Activities: consumer and provider education, community programs, technology resources, help lines, teen theatre, policy development, advocacy, and research.

http://www.hispanichealth.org/

 

La Alianza Hispana, Inc., a hub of social service delivery, advocacy, and education in the Dudley Square area:

http://www.laalianza.org/docs/Alianza%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

 

Sociedad Latina, viene trabajando con los jóvenes latinos como una manera de contribuir al desarrollo de la nueva generación de líderes:

http://spanish.sociedadlatina.org/

 

Su Familia" National Hispanic Family Health Helpline: 866-783-2645

 

Health brochures and booklets sent directly to you, (most available in Spanish):

http://www.healthpublications.com/

 

Association canadienne pour la santé mentale, Le contenu de ce site est basé sur les commentaires de parents qui ont vécu cette situation et sur l'expertise de professionnels de la santé mentale et du domaine de l'éducation :

http://www.acsm.ca/ecolesecondaire/

 

Los grupos enumerados en el directorio de las organizaciones de las inhabilidades y de los grupos de la información son una fuente de información inestimable:

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yellowpagesforkids.com&lp=en_es&fr=avbbf-us

 

 

ONLINE SOCIAL COMMUNITIES:



True Acceptance, a online social community that provides opportunities for adults over the age of 18 to meet other adults with mental illness:

http://www.trueacceptance.com/

No Longer Lonely, online dating designed exclusively for adults with serious mental illness. Membership is reserved solely for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia , + schizoaffective disorder ,
bipolar disorder , depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder , anxiety, personality disorder , post-traumatic disorder, or disassociative disorder , or eating disorder:

http://www.nolongerlonely.com/




ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS:



An Online Support Group is the place to share your experiences, your feelings and wisdom.
A comfort zone for people dealing with the same health challenges.

MDJunction.com
, people helping people:
http://www.mdjunction.com/support-groups/alphabetically/

Daily Strength, Free anonymous support from people like you:
http://dailystrength.org/support-groups

Find the Light, Focusing on Mood Disorders , Anxiety, and Substance Abuse
http://www.findthelight.net/

GriefNet.org
is an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss
http://griefnet.org/

Forums at Psych Central:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/


Google Directory, Support Groups - Mental Health:
http://www.google.com/Top/Health/Support_Groups/Mental_Health/



  ORGANIZATIONS LED by PEOPLE IN RECOVERY :

NAMI Greater Boston Consumer Advocacy/Affiliate Network, is a grassroots organization primarily consisting of mental health consumers:

http://ngbcan.googlepages.com/


Transformation Center: We are peers in all stages of recovering our mental health wellness and freedom from addictions and trauma:

http://www.transformation-center.org/index.html

 

M-Power, an organization of mental health consumers and current and former psychiatric patients. They advocate for political and social change within the mental health system:

http://www.m-power.org/resources

 

Independent Living Centers of Massachusetts, Information and Referral, Skills Training and Peer Mentoring are the backbone of Direct Services:

http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/massachusetts.html

 

Mental Health America , (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is a nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives:

http://www.nmha.org/

 

National Empowerment Center , Recovery is real and this website is filled with practical information that will help you recover if you have been labeled with a mental illness:

http://www.power2u.org/

 

Consumer Quality Initiatives (CQI) is a mental health consumer operated research, evaluation and quality improvement organization based in Massachusetts . A primary activity of CQI is to conduct personal interviews and focus groups with people with disabilities and/or their family members using semi-structured surveys and interview guides, leading to in-depth data-driven reports :

http://www.cqi-mass.org/

 

Active Minds, is a peer-to-peer organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health among college students. The organization serves as the young adult voice in mental health advocacy on over one hundred college campuses nationwide:

http://www.activemindsoncampus.org/

 

 

ORGANIZING SERVICES :

 

Professional Organizers Web Ring, group of several organizers in Massachusetts :
http://www.organizerswebring.com/members/UnitedStates/Massachusetts_Organizers.asp

 

New England Association of Professional Organizers :
http://www.napo-newengland.com/mass.htm


Christian Professional Organizers in Massachusetts :
http://www.faithfulorganizers.com/Professional_Organizers_Massachusetts.htm

 

 

OTHER DISABILITIES SERVICES :

Deaf, Late-Deafened, and Hard of Hearing services:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=5&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Disability+Services&L3=Services+by+Type+of+Disability&L4=Deaf%2c+Late-Deafened%2c+and+Hard+of+Hearing&sid=Eeohhs2

 

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&sid=Eeohhs2&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Massachusetts+Commission+for+the+Blind

 

Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Retardation, DMR offices, housing, etc:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2agencylanding&L=4&sid=Eeohhs2&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Mental+Retardation

 

 

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:



Institute for Community Inclusion, ICI, offers training, clinical, and employment services, conducts research, and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work, and community activities:

http://www.communityinclusion.org/



National Center for Learning Disabilities :

http://www.ncld.org/


Lawyers with Depression:

http://www.lawyerswithdepression.com/



Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law:

http://www.bazelon.org/index.html

 

Parent/Professional Advocacy League, (PAL) advocates for supports, treatments and policies that enable families to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect:

http://ppal.net/default/Home/tabid/68/Default.aspx

 

National Federation for Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH), a national family-run organization dedicated exclusively to helping children with mental health needs and their families achieve a better quality of life:

http://www.ffcmh.org/

 

Families for Depression Awareness, helps families recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides:

http://familyaware.org/index.php

 

The Council for Exceptional Children, the voice and vision of special education:

http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

 

National Organizations and Information Groups are an invaluable source of information:

http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/dis.orgs.htm:Directory:Disabilities

Los grupos enumerados en el directorio de las organizaciones de las inhabilidades y de los grupos de la información son una fuente de información inestimable:

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yellowpagesforkids.com&lp=en_es&fr=avbbf-us

 

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities :

http://www.nichcy.org/index.html

 

National Organization on Disability, it's ability not disability that counts:

http://www.nod.org/

 

SAMHSA's Guide to Evidenced-Based Practices (EPB) on the Web:

http://www.samhsa.gov/ebpwebguide/index.asp

 

SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote A cceptance, D ignity and S ocial Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center):

http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov

 

Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Mental Health Work Group:

http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

http://www.fda.gov/

 

Homelessness Resource Center (SAMHSA), sharing knowledge to prevent and end homelessness:

http://homeless.samhsa.gov/Default.aspx

 

National Alliance to End Homelessness, they work collaboratively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, leading to stronger programs and policies that help homeless individuals and families make positive changes in their lives. They provide data and research to policymakers and elected officials in order to inform policy debates and educate the public and opinion leaders nationwide:

http://www.endhomelessness.org/

 

United Jewish Communties (UJC), u nifying North American Jewry UJC represents and serves 155 Jewish federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America :

http://www.ujc.org/

 

National Council of Churches USA, The NCC's member faith groups — from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches :

http://ncccusa.org/

 

Catholic Directory and Resources:

http://www.catholicweb.com/welcome_page.cfm

 

RECOVERY LEARNING COMMUNITIES :


The Metro Suburban Recovery Learning Community is one of six regional Recovery Learning Communities funded by the Department of Mental Health. We collaborate with current peer run organizations and providers to create activities facilitated by people with mental health conditions :

http://www.metrosubrlc.org



The Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community (RLC) supports individuals in finding their own paths to mental health recovery within the communities of their choice by offering trauma-sensitive peer supports and through the development of a regional peer network. The Western Mass RLC is entirely peer-run and is active in all four counties - Hampshire, Hampden, Berkshire, and Franklin - of Western Massachusetts :

http://www.westernmassrlc.org/



The Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community (RLC) is an entirely peer-run organization which aims to connect individuals in recovery with existing peer-run organizations and individuals and to help create new opportunities for support whenever possible:

http://www.metrobostonrlc.org/




REFUGEE HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS :

 

Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, serves survivors of torture and related trauma, the BCRHHR firmly recognizes the importance of providing care to the whole person,  ethnic community support groups and accept people with and without insurance:

http://www.bcrhhr.org

International Institute of Boston , provides newcomers with direct and practical assistance in the form of English & literacy courses, Refugee Resettlement services, Citizenship Education , Economic Development, Employment Training & Placement, Legal Aid and Social Services (e.g. crisis intervention, mental health counseling, human trafficking prevention) through the Institute's three sites in Manchester NH, Lowell MA and Boston MA. 

http://www.iiboston.org/

The Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT) is a multi-disciplinary program that has been pioneering the health and mental health care of traumatized refugees and civilians in areas of conflict/post-conflict and natural disasters for over two decades.

http://www.hprt-cambridge.org/

 

RESEARCH :

NARSAD, supports scientific research to find better treatments and ultimately prevent severe mental illnesses:

http://www.narsad.org/

 

National Institute of Mental Health , reducing the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain and behavior:

http://nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/index.shtml

 

Institute for Mental Health Research, offering Help and Hope to individuals and families living with mental health disorders:

http://www.imhr.org/

 

 

SEARCHABLE WEB-BASED DATABASES :

 

DisabilityInfo.org is maintained by New England INDEX. Contained within this site is a wealth of information for people with disabilities, their friends, families and the people who serve them. Information within this site focuses on Massachusetts:
http://www.disabilityinfo.org/

 

The Mental Health Information Network (MHIN) is provided as an educational service. Links to external websites are provided for educational purposes:

http://mhin.bu.edu/index.cfm

 

Healthfinder.gov has carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,500 health-related organizations:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/

 

Disability and other resources in Massachusetts :

http://www.masslegalhelp.org/disability/

 

Mass Resources, a free online resource for Massachusetts residents in need of housing, food, health care, and other basic services:

http://www.massresources.org/

 

SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMS


Visit the link below for information on an exciting new consumer run program called C.H.O.I.C.E.S (consumers helping others improve their condition by ending smoking)

http://www.njchoices.org/

The following link details "real life" stories of folks who have overcome their addiction to nicotine.

http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/ourstories/a/mystory.htm

Smoking Cessation Program for Veterans  1-800-Try-to- Stop ( 800-879-8678 ) 

www.makesmokinghistory.org/veterans

http://www.smokefree.org http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/

 

SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES


Massachusetts Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities,

Find educational consultants, psychologists, educational diagnosticians, health care providers, academic therapists, tutors, speech language therapists, occupational therapists, coaches, advocates, and attorneys for children with disabilities on the Yellow Pages for Kids for your state. You will also find special education schools, learning centers, treatment programs, parent groups, respite care, community centers, grassroots organizations, and government programs for children with disabilities :

http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ma.htm



The Higher Education Support Toolkit, developed by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, provides disability service staff and health care staff with a simple way to work with students who are experiencing challenges arising from their psychiatric disability. The toolkit is available as a free download at the Center's website at:

http://www.bu.edu/cpr/resources/supportstudents/



Going to College, A resource for teens with disabilities:

http://www.going-to-college.org/



SPED Child and Teen offers valuable information on Massachusetts Area
Special Needs workshops, seminars and more regarding financial help, legal help, and free or low cost family and support programs:

http://www.spedchildmass.org

 

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

 

10 Tips to End the School Year, other tips and parent resources:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/howey/10tips.end.sch.yr.htm

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS and

THIRD PARTY SPECIAL NEEDS POOLED TRUSTS :

NAMI's Special Needs Estate Planning Guidance System:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Special_Needs_Estate_Planning&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8837

The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national, not for profit organization of attorneys dedicated to the practice of disability and public benefits law:

http://www.specialneedsalliance.com/about-sna.aspx

ElderLawAnswers supports seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals by providing the following services: The best information on the Internet about crucial legal issues facing seniors; A network of highly qualified elder law attorneys nationwide; Online practice tools for elder law attorneys:

http://www.elderlawanswers.com/

National Elder Law Foundation, Find a Certified Elder Law Attorney:

http://www.nelf.org/findcela.asp


PLAN (Planned Lifetime Assistance Network):

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Legal_Support&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=25569

 

PLAN of Massachusetts :

http://planofma.org/

 

Combined Jewish Philanthropies Disabilities Trust:

http://www.jfcsboston.org/disability/special_needs_trusts.cfm

 

Massachusetts Pooled Trust:

http://www.sntcenter.org/Download_Page_Massachusetts.htm

 

Berkshire County ARC Master Special Needs Pooled Trust:

http://www.bcarc.org/programs.asp

 STRESS REDUCTION PROGRAMS :


The Stress Reduction Program at UMASS Boston

The course schedule consists of eight weekly classes and one day-long class on a Saturday or Sunday. Morning or evening courses are available. This highly participatory, practical course includes: Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices; Gentle stretching and mindful yoga ; Group dialogue and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in everyday life; Individually tailored instruction; Daily home assignments; Four home practice CDs and a home practice manual; The course is challenging and life-affirming:

http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx?id=41254

Stress Reduction Program, the program consists of eight 2-hour classes and a half-day workshop held at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA,  body scan meditation (a directed tour of attention through the body), gentle stretching and hatha yoga , and sitting medication, instruction in informal mindulness meditation:

http://valleystressreduction.com/index.htm

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a stress reduction technique that uses the mind's ability to be aware. The course consists of weekly group classes. Participants will be introduced to and will practice guided mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques , gentle yoga stretches and self-inquiry exercises. It is beneficial for anyone who wants to cope with stress in a healthy manner, classes in Boston and Medford:

http://genabean.com/stress.html

This course is modeled after the internationally recognized Stress Reduction Program established by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at UMass Medical School in Worcester, MA. The course consists of weekly group classes. Participants will be introduced to and will practice guided mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, gentle yoga stretches and self-inquiry exercises.

Classes in Concord: http://www.stressresources.com/


 SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMS :


Samaritans of Boston goal is to reduce the risk of suicide and increase awareness about suicide prevention throughout Greater Boston and MetroWest. Samaritan's accomplish this through five suicide prevention programs: Befriending Service - 24 Hour Helpline; Samariteens; Grief Support Services; Community Outreach; and Lifeline - Suicide Prevention & Intervention:

http://www.samaritansofboston.org/services.html

 

As the nation's leading organization working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among college students , The Jed Foundation is protecting the mental health of students across the country:

http://www.jedfoundation.org


The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention, mission is to support and develop effective suicide prevention initiatives by providing leadership and advocacy, promoting collaborations among organizations, developing and recommending policy and promoting research and development. Website also has lots of resources and useful links:

http://www.masspreventssuicide.org/

Question, Persuade, and Refer -- 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer to someone to help. QPR can be learned in as little as an one hour:

www.qprinstitute.com

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES :

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education:

http://www.helpline-online.com/HelplineSearch.aspx?pl=helpline

 

SAMHSA Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator:

http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/PrxInput.aspx?STATE=Massachusetts

 

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Treatment Centers:

http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/massachusetts/facilities.php

 

Recovery Community Organizations in Massachusetts :

http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/regions/result.php?state=MA

 

 

SUPPORT GROUPS :


Dual Recovery: Weekly Tuesdays, beginning February 3rd from 12-1PM.   Location: Baystate Community Services Building, Blue Chair Room-2nd Floor.  13 Temple St., Quincy MA .



Overeaters Anonymous : https://www.oa.org/


A NEW TEEN SIBLING SUPPORT GROUP (ages 13-16) is forming in conjunction with Andover Youth Services and "Baskets". The group will be meeting monthly, on Sundays from 4-6PM.
For more information, email Beth@fcbcsupport.org .

 

DBSA group meets in Lowell contact Alicia Page at  dbsamerrimackvalley@yahoo.com for more info.

Support group for parents who suffer from depression, anxiety and/or mental illness meets at McLean Hospital , DeMarneffe Cafeteria, 115 Mill St. , Belmont , Thursdays 6:30- 7:30pm.
*Childcare will be provided at the meeting.
Please contact Kathleen MacDonald kathleen@gomanagement.net to RSVP if you are going to be bringing your children.

Recovery is REAL JP Chapter
-Tuesdays 3:30 to 5 pm at 284 Amory Street Jamaica Plain 02130 Near Stony Brook T Stop
-Group directed and Peer Facilitated Support Group


Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community/ Peer Education Resource Center (PERC)
129 Portland Street Boston, MA 02114 - near North Station T Stop,  Call 617-788-1034 before you come. Coffee House
-Saturday 2-5:30 pm - a Peer meeting where people can come to get together on a Saturday 
-Meet others, sit down, drink coffee and share your problems
-Make use of the computers and the resource center


DBSA support group meeting, every Wednesday 6:30-8:00pm, Valley Human Services, 95 South St., Ware, 01082 .
Contact dbsouthbridge@yahoo.com

Parent Support Group
Thursdays, 10am - 11:30am (Or anytime in between) YOU, Inc., 205 School Street , Gardner
www.youinc.org
Parents, Do you have a child with emotional or behavioral health care needs?  Are the holidays too busy?  Take a few minutes to relax and have a nice warm coffee or tea, sprinkled with Understanding, Support, and Resources.
No RSVP necessary, come when you can.... On site Childcare Provided, Refreshments will be served
For more information, please contact Kathy Hamelin at (978)632-2321 x49

Parent Support Groups (with children addicted to substance abuse ):
http://www.neaar.org/moar/pdf/MOARguide07ParentSupp.pdf


2009 Expressive Arts Sibling Groups
Winter and Spring series for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities , chronic mental illnesses and/or severe medical problems. Weekly and monthly offerings for children 5 to 15 years old. Space is limited.
These are offered in Watertown by Cecil Reve, LMHC-ET.
Visit http://artrelief-groups.webs.com/siblinggroups.htm  for more information.


A new Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges (FCBC) support group is forming in the Wrentham area .
Contact Beth Edelstein at Beth@fcbcsupport.org for more details!


The West Suburban Site Parent Peer Support group has relocated to: Metro West Supported Housing, 340 Maple Street - 4th Floor,Marlborough MA .  Time remains from 10:00-11:30.  
Call Chip Wilder, Director of Family Options to register at 508-485-5051, x240 . This group meets weekly on Wednesday's.


Peer Support Group Thursdays 3-4pm (ASL Interpreter Provided)
Dual Recovery Peer Support Group , Thursdays 7-8pm (ASL Interpreter Provided)
Parent Peer Support Group , Thursdays 10-11am St. Chrysostom's Church (Davidson Room) 1 Linden St (corner of Hancock & Linden),
North Quincy Mental Health Peer Support Group, Saturdays 10:30-11:30am Emmanual Parish Church, 519 Washington St., Braintree Peer Support Group, 2nd Thursday/month Neponset River House, 595 Pleasant St., Norwood

Winchester Hospital, support groups http://www.winchesterhospital.org/community/search/searchDefault.asp Newton Wellesley Hospital, support groups

http://www.nwh.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=24&itemID=17364

Lowell General Hospital, support groups

http://www.lowellgeneral.org/go/services-and-specialties/the-birthplace/parent-and-family-education/support-groups/support-groups


Emerson Hospital, support groups

http://www.emersonhospital.org/support/


DBSA-Boston offers a variety of support groups for both people with affective disorders and their friends and families:

http://www.dbsaboston.org/Groups.html


NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital, Family Support Programs:

http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/documents/Programs%20FlyerMERdoc.pdf


Freedom Center Support Group, Northampton :

http://www.freedom-center.org/weekly-drop-support-group-thursdays


Hearing Voices Group

Every Tuesday, 4:30 to 6 PM at the Recovery Learning Center , 187 High St., Suite 303 , Holyoke MA



DBT Peer Support Group:
Join Melanie for this new peer support group based in learning about distress tolerance skills taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
~ Melanie will guide individuals to explore how to better tolerate distress and difficult emotions using these skills.
~ No prior experience with DBT required!
When: Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. (Cancelled on 11/27)
Where: Holyoke RCC, 187 High St., Suite 303, Holyoke


Social Anxiety Support Group:
Join Sera and others from the community in this group intended for individuals who have difficulty with anxiety and being around others, particularly in groups.
~ For the safety of the group, number of participants is limited to 6 and no one will be
able to join the group more than five minutes after the designated start time.
~ Groups will be held in a closed-door setting before regular open hours, and participants
can stay after the group for open hours or leave prior to the arrival of other individuals.
~ Groups will start with a quiet moment, followed by check-ins and the introduction of
topics or open talk time. Light snacks will be provided.
When: Fridays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Holyoke RCC, 187 High St., Suite 303, Holyoke
***Sign-up is encouraged due to the limited space.
Call 413-539-5941, x203 with questions or to sign up

 



Advocates, Inc., Peer Support Group, Fridays 5-6 pm,  675 Main St., Waltham, MA.

Advocates, Inc., WRAP Support Group, every Wednesday 6:30-8:00 pm,  675 Main St., Waltham, MA.
 
Peer Support Group, every Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 pm, Waltham Clinic of the Edinburg Center, 169 Elm St. Waltham, MA, second floor conference room

 

The Children's Room helps grieving children, teens and families in our community to go on living fully. We serve families from over 75 cities and towns in Massachusetts. We are also part of a Massachusetts-wide network of programs helping grieving children, teens and families. Contact us to learn about programs serving your area or how you can help grieving children, teens and families:

http://childrensroom.org/

NAMI's online communities for all family members:

http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=communities

 

My Invisible Disabilities Community, t his network is for people living with chronic illness, pain, injuries and/or disabilities, as well as their friends and family:

http://www.myida.org/myinvisibledisabilitiescommunity.htm

 

Before attending a support group it's advisable to call/email and confirm the meeting location, date and time since meeting information may not be up-to-date. It's also advisable to attend more than one group so you can find one where you feel comfortable sharing. A support group is a safe, confidential place to share amongst peers.

 

NAMI Massachusetts, supports groups for people in recovery and support groups for family members and caregivers:

http://www.namimass.org/newaffiliates.htm

 

Vet-to-Vet (Women's Veteran's self-help support group), meets Thursdays from 1-2pm at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Hospital , Fourth Flr Rm C-12, Contact Darlene Saunders 857-364-6396

 

Samaritans, Grief Support Services and Helplines (Greater Boston & MetroWest areas):

http://www.samaritansofboston.org/survivor.html

 

Samaritans of Fall River & New Bedford Areas, Services and Helplines:

http://www.samaritans-fallriver.org/

 

American Association of Suicidology, support groups for those who have lost a loved one:

http://www.suicidology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=79

 

Massachusetts Suicide Support Groups:

http://www.suicide.org/support-groups/massachusetts-suicide-support-groups.html

 

Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Parent Support Group listing for viewing or printing out:

http://ppal.net/default/Resources/ParentSupportGroupNetwork/tabid/74/Default.aspx

 

Asperger's Association of New England, various support groups:

http://www.aane.org/aane_services/support_social_groups_adults.html

 

Autism Society of America , Massachusetts Chapter:

http://209.200.89.252/search_site/chapter_detail.cfm?program_id=834

 

Attention Deficit Disorder Association, support groups in Mass:

http://www.add.org/help/ma.html

 

Children and Adults with AD/HD, Mass chapter:

http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Chapter_Search_Display1&state=ma

 

Tourettes Syndrome Association, Inc., Massachusetts Chapter:

http://www.tsa-usa.org/TSANatlLocal/Chapters/usachapters.html#massachusetts

 

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders Support Groups:

http://www.anad.org/5106/22322.html

 

Multiservice Eating Disorders Association, supports groups in Mass:

http://www.medainc.org/help/support_groups.asp

 

Anxiety Support groups in Massachusetts :

http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/SupportGroupsResult.asp?state=MA

 

Massachusetts Anxiety Support Groups:

http://www.anxietypanic.com/massachusetts.htm

 

Emotions Anonymous, meetings in Mass:

http://allone.com/12/ea/

 

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, support groups in Mass:

http://www.ocfoundation.org/quick_list_groups.html?select_city=0&select_state=MA&and_or_State=2&select_country=0&and_or_Country=2&Submit=Submit

 

Abraham Low Self-Help Systems (formerly Recovery Inc.), meetings in Massachusetts:

http://www.lowselfhelpsystems.org/meetings/meetings-per-city.asp

 

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance , support groups in Mass:

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_findsupport

 

Manic-Depressive Depressive Association of Boston , supports groups in New England :

http://www.mddaboston.org/HTML/regional.html

 

Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, parent support groups in Mass:

http://www.bpkids.org/site/Dir/100333857?pg=rslts

 

Foundation for Children with Behavioral Challenges, parent support groups:

http://www.explosivekids.org/resources/support_groups.html

 

Co-Dependents Anonymous, locate a meeting :

http://www.coda.org/ajax_control.php?action=load_translation&language=1

 

Postpartum Support International, support groups and other resources in Mass:

http://www.postpartum.net/massachusetts.html

 

Dual Recovery Anonymous, meetings in Mass:

http://www.draonline.org/meetings_dra/usa/massachusetts.html

 

Dual Recovery meetings at Mass. Clubhouses:

http://www.massclubs.org/DRMeetingList.pdf

 

Narcotics Anonymous, meeting locator:

http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/

 

Alcoholics Anonymous, meeting locator:

http://www.aa.org/US_CtrOffice/ma.html

 

Massachusetts Al-Anon/Alateen meetings:

http://www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org/new.html

 

Debtors Anonymous, meeting locator:

http://www.danewengland.org/

 

Gamblers Anonymous, meeting listing in Mass:

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/mtgdirMA.html

 

Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts , Survivor and Family Support:

http://www.biama.org/whatdoes/survivor.html

 

PTSD Support group in Mass:

http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/groups.html#ma

 

Sidran Institute, (Traumatic Stress Education & Advocacy). Extensive information and resources on PTSD, dissociative disorder, trauma, and self injury; Help desk:

http://www.sidran.org/sub.cfm?sectionID=5

 

Trichotillomania Learning Center , support groups in Mass:

http://www.trich.org/reaching_out/support_groups.asp#ma

 

Parents helping parents support groups, confidential and anonymous Parents Support Group s meet weekly at many locations in Massachusetts .  At these group meetings, parents can talk to other parents about how to improve their relationships with their children:

http://parentshelpingparents.org/group.html

 

Epilspsy Foundation of Mass. & Rhode Island, adults, ages 18 and over, living with epilepsy an opportunity to share common experiences through a supportive group, also provide families the opportunity to share common experiences, network and support one another through Parent and Family Support Network (PFSN) Group gatherings:

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/local/massri/groups.cfm

 

Christian Support Groups in Mass:

http://www.nacronline.com/dox/gethelp/christia.shtml#DENOM

Caregiver Alliance of Suffolk County , support groups:

http://www.caregiveralliance.org/supportgroups/groups.htm

 

Alzheimers Association, Massachusetts Chapter, support groups for caregivers:

http://www.alz.org/ma/in_my_community_support.asp

 

The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns. Find a Sibhop near you:

http://www.siblingsupport.org/

 

American Tinnitus Association, ATA support network:

http://www.ata.org/resources/pdf/self_help_groups/ct_ma_me_nh_ri_vt_shg.pdf

 

Mentalhelp.net website, American self-help support groups, you may be able to find other support groups using this site:

http://www.mentalhelp.net/common/tools/externalpage/extpage.php?url=/selfhelp

 

McLean Hospital , Child and Adolescent Program, Current Outpatient Support Group Offerings:

http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/patient/child/cag.php

 

Mass. General Hospital support group list:

http://www.mghsocialwork.org/support-groups.html




Metro Suburban Recovery Learning Community:


http://www.metrosubrlc.org/peersupport.html

 

Faulkner Hospital , Addiction Recovery Groups and Self-Help Groups:

http://www.faulknerhospital.org/community_selfhelp.html

 

Cambridge Health Alliance , Outpatient Groups:

http://www.challiance.org/psychiatry/addictions_out_pt.shtml

 

AdCare Hospital, Outpatient Groups, click on location for details:

http://www.adcare.com/outpatient/services.php

 

Jordan Hospital , Depression after Delivery support group:

http://www.jordanhospital.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=14&action=detail&ref=563

 

Newton-Wellesley Hospital , Adult outpatient support groups:

http://www.nwh.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=24&itemID=17364

 

North Shore Medical Center, outpatient support groups:

http://nsmc.partners.org/web/support/pediatrics_resource_center

 

Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center , outpatient support groups:

http://www.umassmemorial.org/WingIP.cfm?id=2021


Grandparents responsible for their grandchildren living with them:

http://www.grandfactsheets.org/doc/Massachusetts%2008.pdf

A free group for siblings (ages 5-12) of children/adolescents with behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges :

http://waysidepp.org/SibClub.aspx


Parent Partnership Program, building strength, hope & resiliency

http://waysidepp.org/SupportGroups.aspx


A  free support group for Parents who's adolescent or your adult is struggling with substance abuse

http://www.massgeneral.org/allpsych/ARMS/Parent%20Group%20Flyer.doc

 

 

TRANSPORTATION :

MBTA Reduced Fare Program, Application for MBTA Transportation Access Pass :

http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/documents/ACCESS_PASS.pdf


Charity Cars, Inc., national charity that provides donated vehicles free of charge to struggling families willing to work and become self-sufficient, tax-paying members of the community, how to apply for a vehicle:

http://www.800charitycars.org/whocanapply.htm

Good News Garage is working hard to find good donated cars in Massachsetts to help qualified low-income families:

http://www.goodnewsgarage.org/apply/massachusetts/


Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, The Ride and ADA Paratransit service available to the disabled in 62 communities via 4 subcontractors. Call for more information and to apply or download the application:

http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/accessible_services/?id=7108

 

Brockton Area Transit Authority , dial-a-bat serves the elderly and disabled. Call and apply for an ADA pass to use this service:

http://www.ridebat.com/dial_a_bat.asp

 

Cape Ann Transportation Authority, Elderly and handicapped service, call for more information and to apply:

http://www.canntran.com/information.html

 

Franklin Regional Transit Authority, Paratransit service available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.frta.org/

 

Greenfield-Montague Transportation Area

http://www.gmta-transit.org/

 

Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, dial-a-ride serves the elderly and disabled. Call for more information about this and the ADA pass:

http://www.gatra.org/dar.html

 

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, ADA Paratransit service available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.capecodtransit.org/

 

Lowell Regional Transit Authority, Roadrunner ADA Paratransit services are available to persons with disabilities. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.lrta.com/para.html

 

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, Paratransit service is available for seniors and disabled riders. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.pvta.com/senior-disabled-riders

 

Merrimack Valley Regional Transportation Authority, ADA and Non-ADA EZ Trans service is available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.mvrta.com/SpecialServices/OSSHOMEPAGE.html

 

Southeast Regional Transit Authority, Demand Response services for the disabled. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.srtabus.com/DRSchedu.htm

 

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, ADA, Dial-a-Mart and other services are available for seniors and the disabled. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.montachusettrta.org/Councils_on_Aging.html

 

Worcester Regional Transit Authority, Paratransit service is available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.therta.com/paratransit.html

 

Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority, Paratransit service is available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.vineyardtransit.com/Pages/VTA_WebDocs/Fares

 

Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, Paratransit service is available. Call for more information and to apply:

http://www.shuttlenantucket.com/guide/handicap.html

 

128 Business Council, lists various shuttles in various communities along Route 128. Also links to some rideshares organizations:

http://www.128bc.org/

 

Massachusetts Transportation Options, listing of known public transportation options by county and some towns:

http://www.apta.com/gasprices/ma.htm#A11

TRUST AND GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES :

Massachusetts Bar Association, Client Service Pamphlets: What is a Guardian and a Conservator? Living Wills and Health Care Proxies? and more:

http://www.massbar.org/for-attorneys/resources--services/client-service-pamphlets


The Handbook on Guardianship and the Alternatives
, (a PDF file, 109 pgs) an explanation in simple terms of guardianship, conservatorship and other options.
Copyright 2007 by Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee:


http://www.mass.gov/mhlac/GuardianshipHandbkDec07.pdf


ElderLawAnswers, the combination of an informed consumer and a qualified attorney produces the best legal results for the clients.
ElderLawAnswers supports seniors, their families and their attorneys in achieving their goals (find an attorney, etc.):


http://www.elderlawanswers.com/index.asp



Find a lawyer in your area of Massachusetts whose practice includes Guardianships and Conservatorships:


http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/practicestate/Guardianships-&-Conservatorships/Massachusetts



UTILITY PROGRAMS :

Low Income Energy (Gas, Oil, and Electric) Programs in Massachusetts :

http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Mass.htm


SafeLink Wireless is a government support program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers:

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/Home.aspx

 

The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program was created for people who are struggling to pay their heating bills in Massachusetts :

http://www.citizensenergy.com/english/pages/13/individual-households

 

MassSAVE, in addition to in-home programs and incentives, Massachusetts homeowners can take advantage of other energy-saving programs including rebates towards the installation of energy-saving equipment and products:

http://www.masssave.com/customers/

 

Lifeline is a government program that offers qualified low income households a discount on their monthly local telephone bill and Link Up helps households reduce the cost of initiating telephone service:

http://www.universalservice.org/li/low-income/lifelinesupport/browser/Default.aspx

 

 

VETERANS RESOURCES :


The Veterans' Administration offers a Special Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown.  This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits.  It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity.  Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.


http://www.veteranaid.org/


National Center for PTSD

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp



The Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) has announced a supplement to its monthly Dial-A-Lawyer programs: a session dedicated solely to veterans' legal questions. The free program will run on Thursday, October 16 from 5:30-7:30pm. Volunteer lawyers will field phone calls and answer questions an any legal issue, including those related to state and federal benefits. Lawyers will be available by phone from 5:30-7:30pm. This free program is open to Massachusetts residents who are veterans of the armed services. The Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer program is provided at no charge as a public service of the MBA.

The Dial-A-Lawyer phone number is 617-338-0610.


Veterans Resources at the NAMI website:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Veterans_Resources&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53587&lstid=879

 

Massachusetts Dept. of Veterans Services:

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteranshomepage&L=1&sid=Eveterans&L0=Home

 

Veterans Outreach and Counseling in Massachusetts :

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetoutr.htm

 

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hotline, Staffed 24/7 with Mental Health professionals who can refer callers to one of more than 120 VA crisis centers closest to them. Their goal is to get the veteran the best immediate help needed: 800-273-8255. Spanish speaking line is 888-628-9454.

 

VA New England Healthcare System:

http://www.newengland.va.gov/

 

Giveanhour.org, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and their families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan :

http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

 

Vet-to-Vet (Women's Veteran's self-help support group), meets Thursdays from 1-2pm at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Hospital , Fourth Flr Rm C-12, Contact Darlene Saunders 857-364-6396

Veterans as Employees

Designed by U.S. Department of Labor for employers and the workforce development system , the America' s Heroes at Work website is a link to information and tools to help returning service members succeed in the workplace.

http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/


2-page Flyer on Resources for Veterans

A variety of resources to treatment providers, veterans, and their family members by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/ken/Veterans_Resource_Guide_Flyer.pdf


Web Portal focus on Post Deployment

The Department of Defense launched a web portal that allows service members to seek mental health treatments focused on post-deployment problems

https://www.afterdeployment.org/index2.php?cid=s000_5005

Suicide Prevention Tools from US Army

To support and empower soldiers, civilians, families and veterans in minimizing suicide behavior by providing tools for human resource personnel and commanders

http://www.armyg1.army.mil/HR/suicide/default.asp

Reports on Suicide Prevention , Depression and Treatment among Veterans

This issue of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report examines data from veterans aged 21 to 39 who have experienced Major Depressive Disorder . http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.pdf

This second report, prepared by the Congressional Research Service , discusses data and risk and protective factors for suicide in the general population and among veterans.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34471_20080505.pdf

Online Directory of Resources for Wounded Veterans and their Families:

The National Resource Directory ( www.nationalresourcedirectory.org ) is a web site, developed jointly by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, that provides over ten thousand services and resources available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.


Operation Healthy Reunions, Information for troops and their families:

http://www.nmha.org/reunions/

 

 

WARMLINES :

The Warmline is a call in service that provides the community with a place to turn if they need someone to talk to. The Warmline Staff are Mental Health Consumers.  All staff have received the training and education needed to provide Warmline services to the community. All calls are kept confidential. What you say is kept between you and the Warmline staff.  The only exception is when the call is considered a crisis.  In this case the call will be referred to the crisis service.

MetroBoston

MetroBoston Recovery Learning Community
Phone: 877-733-7563 (877-PEER LNE)

Hours: Mon. Thurs. & Sat. 4-8 pm

Center Club Warmline
Phone: (617) 675-3873
Hours: Mon-Sun 2-5 pm

Casa Primavera Warmline
Phone: (617) 445-8017
Hours: M-F 8-9 am, 5-11pm, Sat & Sun 9am-5pm

 

Metro Surburban Area

C.A.S.T.L.E.
Phone: (617) 610-7907
Hours: Su-F 7-11 pm

The Peer Line
Phone: (508) 312-5139
Hours: M-F 5:30-10 pm

Consumer Warmline
Phone: (800) 243-5836
Hours: Mon-Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun 1-10pm

 

Edinburg Center

Phone: 781-862-3600 or 781-860-0570

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5pm-10pm, Sat & Sun. 1pm – 10pm

 

Central MA Area

Cross Connections
Phone: (978) 629-8485
Hours: M-F 4-7 pm & 10-12 pm

Tradewind Warmline
Phone: (508) 864-0270
Hours: Fri 4-10 pm, Sat & Sun 10am-10 pm

The Central Mass Recovery Learning Community
Phone: 508-468-9740

Hours: Mon-Sun 6-8 pm

Westwinds Warmline
Phone: (508) 426-1660
Hours: Mon-Sun 6-9 pm

 

Northeast Area

Project Rap
Phone: (978) 922-0000
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:00 pm

 

Western MA

Pioneer Valley Warmline
Phone: (413) 747-8658
Hours: Thurs-Sun 5pm-1am

 

List of known Warmlines:
http://buzz.freeshell.org/wlines