RESOURCES

This list is not intended to provide emergent or extensive resources. If this is an emergency, or you are worried about your safety or the safety of someone else. Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

FindTreatment.gov: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) collects information on thousands of state-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders, addiction, and mental illness.

The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: 1-800-327-5050

Mental Health/Crisis hotlines:

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 

  • https://www.crisistextline.org/ Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

• Your Life Your Choice:  Text VOICE to 20121  

  • https://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/ 24-hour teen crisis hotline 1-800-448-3000.

National Hotlines

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

• Stopbullying.gov 

• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 

• Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

NIDA resources for teens: Get the latest on how drugs affect the brain and body. Featuring games, articles, and videos!

My Life, My Quit: Text “Start My Quit” to 855-891-9989. Trained youth coach specialists help young people by phone or text. Call 855-891-9989 for free and confidential help.

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP): Resource guide for addiction and mental health recovery peer support.

Speaking of Hope: A network for young adults to connect with others through shared experiences, resources, and to promote self-discovery and is supported by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. 

Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR): Mission- To organize recovering individuals, families and friends into a collective voice to educate the public about the value of recovery from alcohol and other addictions

NACoA: Focused on the children of parents struggling with alcohol or substance abuse.

Al-Anon / Alateen: Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.  It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.

Marijuana Anonymous: Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana.

InnoPsych: Provides a directory of therapists of color, making it easier for individuals to find therapists who match their preferences.

Project YES: Kids ages 11-17 are invited to take part in Project YES, the Lab for Scalable Mental Health, anonymous, online program evaluation project for youth. Project YES participants can try out three of their online programs for free! (**Note: People of any age are welcome to take part in Project YES and Project EMPOWER. However, the activities in YES were developed with teens and pre-teens in mind, and Project EMPOWER was created with parents of children ages 3-13 in mind.)

FindTreatment.gov: Treatment finder, financial, and educational resources provided by SAMSHA.

NIDA resources for parents: Facts on teen drug use.

Talk. They Hear You: Helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. Provided by SAMSHA.

Learn to Cope: Learn to Cope is a peer organization. They help family members and relatives who have loved ones dealing with substance use disorder issues. They offer resources and support through statewide weekly meetings. Phone: (508) 738-5148  Email: ltc@Learn2cope.org

The Addiction Policy Forum: The Addiction Policy Forum was created by families impacted by this disease.  Helping families in crisis and translating the science around addiction.

Hand Hold: Handhold was created by a team of mental health and child development experts in partnership with parents who have gone through what you are going through. The goal is to guide you in caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being.

Allies in Recovery: Based on the Community Resources and Family Training (CRAFT) method which provides training on how to communicate, intervene and guide family members and friends towards recovery.

The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: 1-800-327-5050

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP)

Allies in Recovery: The Invitation to Change Approach© (ITC) is a holistic helping framework based in science and kindness, designed for the families and loved ones of people struggling with substance use.

The Parent Resource Program: Dedicated to the prevention of the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs to equip young people, educators, youth workers, and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.

Parents and Educators: Find the latest science-based information about drug use, health, and the developing brain.

Parenting for Prevention (Tip Sheets): Decisions at Every Turn educational series for parents and other caring adults to increase awareness and knowledge about important issues and to encourage dialogue about making healthy choices.

Project EMPOWER: Parents of children ages 3-13 are invited to take part in Project EMPOWER, an online program for caregivers. Project EMPOWER is a free, science-backed, 1-session online program for parents, teaching skills to build bravery and reduce anxiety in children and pre-teens.

Inclusive Communication Principles

The CDC’s Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication emphasizes the important of addressing all people inclusively and respectfully.

Learning About Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression: This video, created by the Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity (CoE LGBTQ+ BHE), reviews basic terminology that is important to know when working with people who have diverse sexual orientations or gender identities.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Glossary: This terminology includes sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

A Gender Agenda: A Gender Agenda (AGA) works with the intersex, trans and gender diverse community. This includes intersex people, transgender people, gender diverse and non-binary people and other gender non-conforming people. This links to a guide for gender free terms.

Youth.Gov: Federal Resources for substance use/misuse

Addictionary: A guide made by the Recovery Research Institute on language around addiction and how to discuss these heavily stigmatized topics.

Recovery Research Institute: The Recovery Research Institute is a leading nonprofit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery.

American Psychiatric Association: Patients and Families: List of different mental health topics intended to help patients and families learn more about symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

Partnership for Drug Free Kids: Organization that mobilizes families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America: The CADCA coalition model emphasizes the power of community coalitions to prevent substance misuse through collaborative community efforts.

Youth SBIRT: Youth Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (YSBIRT) is an evidence-based practice to prevent and reduce risky substance use among adolescents ages 12 to 18.

National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences.

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: This guide was designed to help health care professionals quickly identify youth at risk for alcohol-related problems. NIAAA developed the Guide and accompanying Pocket Guide in collaboration with a team of underage drinking researchers and clinical specialists and practicing health care professionals. It is also available in Spanish.

QPR Institute: QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a suicide prevention training for participants to be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide and question, persuade, and refer people at risk for suicide for help.

Embrace, Encourage, & Engage: Family & Caregiver Access to Child & Youth Mental Health Resources: Virtual discussion with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), and parent, youth, and community leaders designed to provide parents and caregivers with tools and skills they need to support their children’s mental health.

Parenting and Mental Health

Care Solace: Care Solace works alongside school districts to connect students, school staff, and their families to quality mental health and substance use treatment providers matched to their needs.

Help Prevent Suicide: Suicide takes precious lives. It can affect anyone, anywhere at any time, devastating families and even entire communities. But it is not inevitable. Help prevent suicide and offer support to those in crisis by sharing and airing these resources.

Know the Risks of Marijuana: Learn about marijuana risks

Mental Illness and Substance Use in Young

Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: Every family is unique, but all families share a bond that can be used to support one another during trying times.

Talk. They Hear You. Brochures: It’s never too early to talk with your children about the risks of underage drinking and other drug use. Research suggests that one of the most influential factors in healthy childhood development is a strong, open relationship with a parent. Though it may not seem like it, children really hear your concerns, and it’s important that you discuss the risks of using alcohol and other drugs with them.

Beyond the Bell: Uplifting Children’s Mental Health Through School Based Programs and Services: Schools are facing complex challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nationwide attendance rates struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels, ensuring school safety, and meeting the increasing mental health needs of young people, among others. However, amidst these challenges, schools are transforming into multifaceted community centers, embracing evidence-based practices and community-informed solutions to ensure the holistic well-being of students and families. This digital digest delves into transformative practices and community-centered solutions aimed at overcoming these hurdles. Whether you seek innovative approaches or personal narratives, this newsletter provides valuable perspectives for those dedicated to improving children's mental health through school-based initiatives.

If you are currently offering a training or educational opportunity for the public and would like it listed on this site, please contact us at iDECIDE@mgh.harvard.edu.

Massachusetts Tobacco Legislation: Learn about the latest state laws governing tobacco

Project AMP: Project Amp is an extended brief mentorship intervention that utilizes the power of young adult peer mentors to implement a youth-focused, strengths-based, and non-punitive prevention and early intervention resource.

SBIRT in Schools | Massachusetts Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (MASBIRT): Massachusetts Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Training & Technical Assistance (MASBIRT TTA) provides training, coaching, and implementation and systems change consultation for healthcare, behavioral health, human service, public health and education professionals statewide.

Prevention Technology Transfer Center: The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, administered by AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc., provides training and technical assistance services to the professional and volunteer prevention workforce within the New England states.

Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: The core mission of the New England MHTTC is to use evidence-based means to disseminate evidence-based mental health practices across the region. 

New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center (NAATTC): Trainings for those working to address the needs of people with substance use or other behavioral health disorders.

Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma: This is a joint project between the Office of the Child Advocate and UMass Chan Medical School! The center offers: Information about adverse and positive childhood experiences, best practices for becoming trauma-informed and responsive, trainings, toolkits, and other resources.

SUBSTANCE USE

General 

• Bureau of Substance Addiction Services

• The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: 1 800-327-5050

• Massachusetts Recovery High Schools

• Massachusetts General Hospital ARMS

• The Institute for Health & Recovery

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Resources by level of care and agencies with availability in regions throughout Massachusetts

• Jonny’s Ambassadors: Educates parents and teens about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. 

• Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program (ASAP) at Boston Children’s Hospital

• William James College INTERFACE Referral Service

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership

Youth Detoxification and Stabilization Unit

• Motivating Youth Recovery (MYR): serves adolescent boys and girls, ages 13 - 17 years of age with a substance use disorder in Worcester. Some 18-year-olds may qualify with prior approval.

  • 508-860-1244

Youth and Young Adult Residential Programs

• Goodwin House: 13-17 y/o male-identifying clients in Chicopee

  • 413-316-1642

• Cushing House: 16-20 y/o male and female programs in South Boston

  • 857-496-7359 or 857-496-7361

• Cornerstone Recovery Program: 18-25y/o female-identifying clients in Ware

  • 413-758-4050

• Pegasus House: 18-25y/o female-identifying clients in Lawrence

  • 978-687-4257

• Megan’s House: 18-26 y/o female-identifying clients in Lowell

  • 978-455-6973

• GRIT House (Enhanced Co-occurring residential): 18+ y/o male-identifying clients in Springfield and 18+ y/o LGBTQ+ clients in Holyoke

  • To reach GRIT directly, call 844-642-9355 or email

    GRIT@mhainc.org

  • For the GRIT Holyoke location, contact Christine Palmieri at 413-233-5326 or

    cpalmieri@mhainc.org

Smoking/Vaping

• Quit the Hit: Get added to an Instagram group DM with 10-15 others who also want to quit, supported by a real guide. Each day, your guide will share proven quit strategies. The group will quit and get through cravings together.

• Smokescreen: The play2PREVENT (p2P) Lab at the Yale Center for Health & Learning Games developed a smoking/vaping prevention game for teens.

• SMOKEFREE Teens: Get help with the unique challenges that teens have when quitting smoking or vaping. Find information and tools designed to help you stop for good.

• This is Quitting: A free and confidential texting program for young people who vape. They can text “VapeFreeMass” to 88709 to get started. Program hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

• The 84: Mostly school-based chapters program which addresses tobacco use among youth.

• The Massachusetts campaign to help people quit tobacco products.

• Facts. No Filters: The MA Department of Public Health Campaign addressing youth vaping.

• MY LIFE, MY QUIT: Youth & young adult cessation programs through the MA Quitline. Youth smoking and vaping program (for youth 12 - 17 years old).  Includes counseling and a variety of ways to access the quitline services 24/7 - Talk, text. or online chat. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 or enroll online.

• MA Anti-Vaping Curriculum Resource Guide: In 2019, the Massachusetts Action Coalition received an award from the National Campaign for Action to create a statewide, evidenced-based, adaptable, developmentally appropriate curriculum guide on the impact of vaping on student health and wellness for grades 6-12. The guide focuses on curricula which included lessons and activities intended for classroom use.

GRIEF

• ---

  The Children’s Room: Offers hope and healing to children and teens ages 3½ to 18 who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. 

• The Good Grief: The Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center provides support to children and families at a time when they may feel most vulnerable: this may include loss, death, divorce, or separation.

LGBTQIA+

• ---

  The Trevor Project: If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386 .  TrevorText is a confidential and secure resource that provides live help for LGBTQ youth with a trained specialist, over text messages. Text START to 678-678.

• The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (BAGLY): A youth-led, adult-supported organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs, policies and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community.

  • 617-227-4313.

• AGLY Network: Network — Massachusetts locations Please refer to listing directly above for current “virtual” programming.

• OUT MetroWest: Free programming that connects LGBTQ+ youth with supportive peers and LGBTQ+ adult role models

OTHER

• Findhelp.org (formerly known as Aunt Bertha): Free search tool to connect all people in need to the programs that serve them

• Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Boston (DBSA-Boston): Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.

  • 617-855-2795 

• Easterseals Massachusetts: Easterseals Massachusetts is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for young people with disabilities to live, learn, work, & play in their communities.

REGIONAL RESOURCES

Northeast

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Search for resources by level of care and agencies with availability regionally.

• Northshore Recovery High School in Beverly.

• The Psychological Center

• Treatment 14 (T14): Team Fourteen is a group of clinicians and case managers who serve adolescents and their families with emerging substance use concerns in Essex County.

Metrowest

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Search for resources by level of care and agencies with availability regionally.

• William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School

• Youth MOVE MA: Youth Motivating Others through Voices of Experience (MOVE) is a youth led organization devoted to improving the mental health system, advocating for youth rights, and empowering youth as equal partners in the process of change. Youth MOVE hosts peer-run support groups. We are a statewide organization of lived experience youth and young people that support others. 

• Tempo Young Adult Resource Center: Tempo Young Adult Resource Center offers services for individuals ages 16-25, with no referrals needed. The Center provides a wide range of services and assistance with accessing outside services and supports including housing, counseling, food stamps, and other benefits in Framingham.

Central

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Search for resources by level of care and agencies with availability regionally.

• Rockdale Recovery High School

• Zia Young Adult Access Center in Worcester: Zia supports young adults ages 16-22 who express and self-identify with different human experiences (societal and/or social class impacts like trauma, mental health, and substance use). The two Zia Young Adult Access Center locations offer youth-held and peer-run community spaces, groups, and events as well as self-determined resource connections (education, employment, family support, and more). 

West

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Search for resources by level of care and agencies with availability regionally.

• Gándara Center: The Mission of the Gándara Center is to promote the well-being of Hispanics, African-Americans and other culturally diverse populations through innovative, culturally competent behavioral health, prevention and educational services.

• Liberty Prep Academy Recovery High School

• The Brien Center

Southeast

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA): Search for resources by level of care and agencies with availability regionally.

• Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative: The Collaborative educates young people with accurate information and tools to cope with life’s challenges, and to help them understand the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. (Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Raynham, Rockland and Whitman)

• Independence Academy Recovery High School

• Recovery Build (Cape Cod)

The iDECIDE Development and Evaluation Team would like to acknowledge, with gratitude and humility, that the entirety of this program takes place on Indigenous land. We acknowledge that the systems in which we work were founded upon the exclusion and erasure of many Indigenous communities. We make the commitment to continue to work to understand the historical and current experiences of Native peoples—through collaborative partnerships, enrollment and retention efforts, community service, and more—to help inform the work we do and advance the creation of more inclusive spaces for all.

Email: iDECIDE@mgh.harvard.edu

Phone: 617-643-1771