Mental Health

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Section 12 Law - Act to Improve Emergency Access to Mental Health Services

House Bill 4681, an Act to Improve Emergency Access to Mental Health Services (Section 12 Law) was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick. As of November 8, 2010, LICSWs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be authorized to sign a Section 12(a), known as a "pink paper.” A pink paper is the mechanism by which a LICSW moves to hospitalize an individual believed to meet the criteria for civil commitment. A LICSW may order that a mentally ill individual be restrained and taken to a hospital in the belief that failure to hospitalize would create a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness.

Examples of situations where a Section 12 might be appropriate include:

  1. Suicidality
  2. Homicidality
  3. Markedly impaired judgment due to mental illness to such an extent that a person is unable to protect himself/herself.

Mental Health Crisis Resources

South Bay Community Services

South Bay Community Services is a community-based, behavioral health care organization offering a continuum of services including adult behavioral health, substance abuse counseling, children’s behavioral health, day services, autism services and early childhood services.

Working collaboratively, South Bay Community Services helps individuals and families become more self-sufficient and lead fulfilling, productive lives by:

  • Delivering a full range of resources, staff and programs
  • Helping people build meaningful relationships in the community
  • Responding quickly to the needs of individuals and families while working efficiently to create a plan of action
  • Focusing on achieving the best possible results in all aspects of behavioral healthcare, from quality of care to operations and third-party reimbursement
  • Ensuring the growth, stability and well-being of children and families during the early years of development

South Bay Community Services offers a Mental Health Clinic as well as an Early Childhood Clinic.

Lawrence Mental Health Clinic

360 Merrimack Street
Lawrence MA 01843
United States

Phone: 978-688-4830

Lawrence Early Childhood Services

370 Merrimack Street
Lawrence MA 01843
United States

Phone: 978-620-0290


 

Lahey Behavioral Crisis

Lahey Health Behavioral Services has emergency psychiatric services and mobile crisis team are available 24/7, 365 days per year. We see people in their homes, schools, day care centers or other safe locations.
  • 12 Methuen Street, Lawrence MA, 01840
  • 978.620.1250
  • Office Crisis Evaluations
  • Hospital Crisis Evaluations (at LGH)
  • Mobile Crisis Evaluations (at client’s home)
  • On-Site CCS (Community Clinical Stabilization – Short-term Respite)

Samaritan Services (Suicide Prevention)

Family Services’ Samaritans of Merrimack Valley strives to reduce the incidence of suicide in the Merrimack Valley and throughout Massachusetts by providing “befriending” to individuals who are lonely, depressed and contemplating suicide or self-injury. Suicide prevention is one of the primary goals of the Samaritans,
  • 430 North Canal Street Lawrence, MA
  • Local: (978) 327.6607
  • Toll Free: 1(866) 912.4673

Parent Support Groups

Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project

Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project seeks to promote health and wellness in our communities by awareness and the value of community involvement that promotes education, prevention, and treatment for substance abuse.
  • Phil Lahey (978) 886.2949
  • Monday’s 6:30pm at Methuen Police Station

Learn To Cope

Learn to Cope holds weekly meetings run by experienced facilitators who have been there. These meetings offer peer-support, education, resources and HOPE for families dealing with addiction and recovery. They are a safe place for members to share their experiences, ask questions, learn about addiction and listen to GUEST SPEAKERS who are either in long term recovery or professionals in the field. 
  • David Coughlin - 508-404-4153
  • Peer Recovery Specialist - 508-801-3247
  • Overdose education and Narcan training is also available at every meeting.