Mental Health
A Collection of Resources Promoting Mental Wellness and Resilience During Challenging Times
- Resources
- Mental Health
Key Resources on Mental Health
- For Natick, Westborough, Walpole, and many other MA residents in participating communities, the William James INTERFACE Referral Service is a mental health and wellness referral Helpline available Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). The William James Resource Hub also has a collection of helpful links across a range of important topics that is available to everyone.
- The Metrowest Referral Line from Behavioral Health Partners has care coordinators who are available by phone at 1-844-528-6800 Monday through Friday to speak about mental health and social service concerns that you may have for yourself, a loved one, or a person in your care and help make referrals to health care and other service providers.
- Call2Talk is a mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program run by Mass211. It operates 24/7 and provides confidential, compassionate listening to assist people, including those who may be despondent or considering suicide, during stressful times. Call2Talk can be reached 24/7 at (508) 532-2255 or by texting C2T to 741741. The Massachusetts Statewide number for suicide prevention is now the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK.
- Mass211 is also open 24/7 - 365 days a year and can provide info on social (including mental health) services.
- Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s The Resilience Project is an innovative school and community based initiative designed to promote the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents and improve access to mental health treatment resources. To learn more about their free services for schools, parents/caregivers and community organizations, and their upcoming events and resources, visit their website HERE, email NWHResilienceProject@partners.org or call 617-243-5497.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a HelpLine that is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. E.T. at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
"Being mentally healthy is not about feeling good, calm, relaxed, or happy (though those are all wonderful emotions!). Instead, mental health is about two things: having feelings that fit the situation and managing those emotions well."
— Dr. Lisa Damour
- The Trevor Project offers the TrevorLifeline 24/7 with trained counselors available for young people who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or need a safe and judgement-free place to talk at 1-866-488-7386.
- The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy at 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS). This resource is available for new moms and those supporting them. Call for real-time support, information, and resources.
- Network of Care Massachusetts. - A new, searchable database of mental health and substance use related programs made possible by MetroWest Health Foundation. and Blue Cross Blue Shield MA and the CF Adams Charitable Trust.
- INTERFACE is a mental health referral service that is free to all Natick, Westborough and Walpole residents as well as residents in 50+ communities across MA. Go here for info or call at 888-244-6843. (hours are M-F, 9 to 5)
- For Emergencies- Call 911 - For mental health emergencies. For other urgent mental health matters, you can call Emergency Service Program - for Natick and MetroWest Boston call Advocates 24-hour access number: 1-800-640-5432. Go here HERE for contact info in other areas.
- For Veterans - Learn more about mental health resources for veterans HERE. If you’re a veteran in crisis or concerned about one, there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255. Learn more about the veterans crisis line HERE.
Articles about How to Support Kids/Teens
- 10 Tips for Raising Resilient Kids - PsychCentral
- The Clay Center for Young and Healthy Minds (Mass General)
- Newton Wellesley Resilience Project
- Confident Parents, Confident Kids
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Recommended Resources for Anxiety and Depression
- Cleveland Clinic - Depression in Children
- Erika’s Lighthouse - Parent Handbook on Teen Depression
- Erika’s Lighthouse - Teen Toolbox
- Signs Your Child Might be Struggling with Anxiety and What to Do About it
- Tips for Coping with Stress of Current Affairs - Psychology Today
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Recommended Resources for Trauma
- National Child Trauma Stress Network
- Emotional Well Being and Coping During Covid (with trauma resources + webinar)
- A Therapist’s Guide to Trauma Therapy (The Mighty)
- How to Keep Children’s Stress from Turning Into Trauma (The NYT)
- Child Trauma Academy
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Recommended Resources on Grief
- Heart Play brochure on grief resources for teens
- Heart Play brochure with free programs
- Good Grief: Website with resources on all aspects of grief for young people and families
- Good Grief: Resources on Grief
- Good Grief: Communicating with Grieving Kids
- Good Grief: Supporting Grieving Kids
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Recommended Resources on Substance Use Disorders
- Natick 180 Website
- For Parents and Caring Adults
- Tip Sheet on Talking to Young People of Every Age
- Substance Use and Mental Health Services
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Racial Justice + Mental Health
- Resources for Parents + Guardian of Youth of Color
- Antiracism Resources for Social Workers + Therapists
- EmbraceRace
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Books:
- Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents by Lynn Lyons
- Self Compassion by Dr. Kristen Neff
- UnderPressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Dr. Lisa Damour
- Keys to Unlocking Depression by Michael Yapko PhD
- What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner
- Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid’s Guide to Addressing Anxiety by Dawn Huebne