Mental Health Services for Youth in Massachusetts

By Andy Healey

Massachusetts offers extensive mental health support for teens, using both state and federal supported programs. These services seek to promote early intervention, offer care that is readily accessible, and provide community and clinical programs.

MassHealth and Behavioral Health Screening

MassHealth  integrates behavioral health screenings as part of annual well-child visits up to age twenty. This enables timely intervention by checking for mental health concerns at a young age. Preventative action can be undergone in order to assist youth with any pre-existing mental health conditions found through the screenings. Pediatricians conduct these screenings and may offer youth to any further care if necessary.

Youth Access and Resource Centers

Massachusetts has youth-focused mental health centers offering safe spaces to those in need. TEMPO in Framingham offers support to those aged seventeen to twenty-four setting goals and personal planning. Zia Access Center in Worcester provides free services without requiring any outside referrals, helping youth through support groups and connections with other resources. This also allows youth to experiment with mental healthcare without any other arduous processes. YouForward centers in Lawrence and Haverhill assists teens facing mental health or substance abuse.

Peer-Led Support and Advocacy

Programs like Youth M.O.V.E. Massachusetts emphasizes youth voices and offers peer groups that help teens navigate the mental health system, fostering a sense of empowerment and connection.

Crisis Support Services

Twenty-four hour crisis hotlines and chat services guarantee on-the-spot aid for teens feeling significantly distressed. More catered resources like LGBTQ+ youth support services are also there for teens facing unique experiences relating to their identity.

Comprehensive Recovery and Community Programs

Recovery Learning Communities (RLC) across Massachusetts have been providing a suite of peer-led self-help and support services as part of shifting a culture toward holistic notions of health by placing less emphasis on medical symptoms for recovery. Such initiatives, like TRACS (Transition Resources and Community Supports), help youth with some of the often-neglected areas, such as relationships and self-care.

Massachusetts' mental health services for youth reflect a commitment to comprehensive, equitable care, emphasizing early prevention and focus on holistic recovery. Further information can be accessed through official state resources and the websites of community centers. With a state like Massachusetts so dedicated towards mental healthcare, it is encouraged that all youth experiencing crisis to reach out to the resources offered to them.

Sources:

MassHealth Behavioral Health Services. NAMI Massachusetts. Retrieved from NAMI Massachusetts.

Youth M.O.V.E. Massachusetts and Additional Resources. Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Retrieved from Mass.gov.

Youth Access Centers (TEMPO, Zia, YouForward). Department of Mental Health Transition Guide. Retrieved from Massachusetts DMH.