If you or a family member are experiencing mental health challenges, you are not alone.
Experiencing mental health challenges is very common.
Help is available from agencies here in the local area and via confidential hotlines.
This post includes a few key organizations that provide mental health counseling and other support.
- Most of the services listed include support for substance use concerns.
- Friends and family members concerned about loved ones can also reach out.
- This is not an exhaustive list of everything available, but there is plenty here to get started.
- If you are a provider and would like to be listed here, please get in touch.
There are many special terms used for mental health issues and programs. You can call and ask a staff person to explain what they offer. A phone call like that can give you information about the programs and about whether a particular agency feels right for you and your family.
Local Resources Database
LOOK4HELP is Community Action Pioneer Valley’s online searchable database of resources, including mental health resources. You can also find information on resources for many other issues, including food access, housing, substance use treatment and recovery, and much more!
Want to talk with someone right now? Hotlines and other Crisis Support
Crisis Services at Clinical and Support Options (CSO). Mental health assessment, intervention and stabilization for youth, families and adults 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. Available to everyone, with or without insurance.
Crisis Services – Greenfield/Franklin County: (413) 774-5411
Crisis Services – Athol/N. Quabbin: (978) 249-3141
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides “24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.” You can also chat online through the link above.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s National Helpline is “a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.”
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. Visit their website for more info about the crisis text line or the data they collect.
Local Support Agencies
Clinical and Support Options (CSO) (main number in Greenfield: 413-774-1000) provides many types of mental health and behavioral health support to families throughout Franklin County, the North Quabbin region, and across Western Mass. Same-day, walk-in visits are often available. Visit their website for more information and contact numbers for specific programs, or call their main number above.
CHD’s Greenfield Clinic (New Client Phone Number: 1-844-CHD-HELP) is located at 102 Main Street. CHD specializes in mental health services for children, teens, and adults and are located in the same building as the Community Health Center of Franklin County.
ServiceNet (413-772-2935) has a broad range of mental health services in Greenfield and across Western Mass and Early intervention for 0 – 3 year-olds (REACH); Services for people on the autism spectrum; Shelter and housing services for people experiencing homelessness and housing challenges; and more.
The Wildflower Alliance (413-539-5941 for general info), formerly the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community) offers Peer to Peer Support including a peer respite house, Trainings, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Free Alternative Healing, Employment Support to “people who have been impacted by psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, extreme states, homelessness, problems with substances and other life-interrupting challenges.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Western Mass office – (413-786-9139). They offer various support and educational programs across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. NAMI has programs in Greenfield at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers of Youth and Children with Mental Health Challenges
Families for Depression Awareness – This Massachusetts-based organization focuses on guidance and support for family members and friends of those who are depressed. Their website includes videos, articles, screening tools, and free webinars, and the staff describe themselves as “marketing, business, and medical experts who have been touched by depression in their family or profession.”
To start exploring what they have to offer, we suggest going to these pages:
https://www.familyaware.org/education/role-of-a-family-caregiver/
http://familyaware.org/new-resources/
The Support Network – This organization serves families in Western Massachusetts who are raising youth with social, emotional or mental health needs. Their Family Support Specialists are parents or caregivers of children with mental health difficulties who have experience navigating the many child-serving systems throughout our region. They provide free peer support in English and Spanish, both individually and through support groups, training opportunities, and referrals to community resources.The Balanced Mind Parent Network (BMPN) is an online support community for parents and caregivers who are raising children living with mood disorders. Their focus is on providing reliable information about mood disorders, treatment, school accommodations, research, and more. The discussion boards are moderated by volunteers who are parents and caregivers themselves and understand the realities of raising a child living with a mood disorder diagnosis. There is a membership fee of $5/month or $60/year. (If you are interested in checking out this resource but cost is a barrier, contact us!) More information here. The BMPN is a program of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which offers a wide array of resources as well.
BBBS of Franklin County’s Resource Pages on youth self-harm and thoughts about suicide
– Common Questions about Self Harm for Parents/Caregivers of Youth
– Common Questions about Suicide for Parents/Caregivers of Youth
Relevant Resources and Support Services Designed for Youth and Teens
- Community Action Youth Programs (413) 774-7028 – a variety of free, local youth development programs focus on leadership development, community service, employment readiness, and diversity support. This is not specifically a mental health program but offers many services that are supportive to young people’s mental health.
- DIAL/SELF (413)774-7054 – a local non-profit in Western Mass that helps young people housing, employment, and other services to support independence. They have programs in Greenfield, Turners Falls and other locations in the area.
- National Teen Line 1-800-TLC-TEEN/1-800-852-8336 or Text “TEEN” to 839863. Peer counselors are available from 9PM – 1AM Eastern time for calling and 9PM – midnight Eastern time for texting. Based in Southern California, Teen Line is a confidential hotline for teenagers answered by trained, teen volunteers and also offers message boards, resources, and information. “No problem is too small, too large, or too shocking for the Teen Line volunteers.”
- LGBT National Youth Talkline 800-246-7743 – Free and Confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger. Hours: Mon to Fri, 4 pm – midnight & Sat noon – 5 pm.
- National Runaway Safeline for teens and youth 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929. Their mission is “to help keep America’s runaway and homeless youth safe and off the streets.” For teens thinking of running from home, friends of someone who has run away and looking for help, or runaways ready to go home through their Home Free program. Their 24-hour crisis line is anonymous and confidential.