Updated Annually – last update October, 2021.
If you or a family member are experiencing mental health challenges, you are not alone.
Experiencing mental health challenges is very common. About 1 in 5 people in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental illness and many others live with mental health disorders without having a diagnosis. The term “disorder” means that there is a pattern of behavior or thinking that causes distress or makes it hard to function the way you want, such as when anxiety or depression persistently get in the way of going to school, working, being close to other people, or making important decisions.
Help is available here in the local area and via confidential hotlines.
Here are a few key resources in the area for mental health services. 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. A lot of people don’t know what they mean, and it is completely OK if you don’t either. Agency websites explain many of the terms and describe services, but if it’s still confusing, 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!
National Hotlines
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. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.”
The National Suicide Prevention 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.” Call 1-800-273-TALK to talk in English. Llama al 1-888-628-9454 para hablar en español. You can also chat online through the link above.
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 and Services
Clinical and Support Options (CSO) provides many types of mental health and behavioral health support. CSO’s Franklin County offices are mostly in Greenfield, and they provide services to families throughout Franklin County, the North Quabbin region, and across Western Mass. Greenfield phone numbers listed below. Visit their website for more information and contact numbers for other locations.
- CSO Outpatient Services, (413.774.1000) including Individual Therapy and Psychiatry for children, adolescents, and adults, Behavioral Health, Addiction Services, Testing and Evaluation, Group Therapy, Sexual abuse and trauma treatment for survivors and their families, Treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD and general adjustment disorders, and more. Walk-ins welcome at all outpatient locations, including One Arch Place in Greenfield.
- CSO Community-Based Programs that have Greenfield locations include All Stars Afterschool program, The Greenfield Livingroom, Center for Community Resilience after Trauma (CCRT), and the Community Support Program (CSP). Descriptions of each are available via the link to Community-Based Programs. Phone numbers vary by program.
- CSO Family Support Services (413.774.1000) are part of the Massachusetts Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI). They are available at a CSO office, at home, or another location of your choice. These services include Intensive Care Coordination (ICC) for youth, In-Home Therapy (IHT) for youth, Family Support & Training (FS&T), Therapeutic Mentoring for children and youth, In-Home Behavioral Services (IHBS) for youth, and more.
CHD’s Greenfield Clinic (New Client Phone Number: 1-844-CHD-HELP) is located at 102 Main Street. CHD specializes in mental health services and are located in the same building as the Community Health Center of Franklin County.
From their website: “CHD offers professionally trained counselors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and clinical nurse specialists to help individuals & families overcome emotional & mental health challenges…Whether you’re worried about how your child is feeling or doing at home or in school, your own feelings of depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug use, marital problems or any of the other issues people face on a daily basis, we can help.”
ServiceNet (413) 772-2935) has a broad range of mental health and support services in Greenfield and across Western Mass.
ServiceNet services include Counseling and psychiatry services for individuals and families, Early intervention for 0 – 3 year-olds (REACH), After school programs for children and adolescents who have emotional and mental health challenges, Intensive programs for young people coping with serious mental health issues, Addiction and recovery support, 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. From their website: Based in Agawam, they are “dedicated to spreading mental health awareness and various support and educational programs across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties…a resource center for those affected by mental health issues and their family and friends.” NAMI has programs in Greenfield at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Call for more info!
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.
Online support group schedule 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.
Mental health resources and support services specifically for youth and teens
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.