Whether you are a Massachusetts resident in crisis, a family member seeking help for a loved one, or a provider looking for referral options, this directory compiles the most critical mental health crisis resources available in the Commonwealth. All phone numbers and links have been verified against official government and organizational sources.
Important: Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health is an outpatient telepsychiatry practice and is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. The resources below are designed for crisis intervention and immediate support.
Immediate Crisis — Call Now
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, these resources provide immediate, 24/7 support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Available 24/7/365. Free, confidential support for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Live chat available at 988lifeline.org. Formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255, which still works).
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)
Available 24/7/365. Free, confidential — no insurance required. Real-time interpretation in 200+ languages. Connects you to the full range of mental health and substance use treatment services in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call, text, or visit masshelpline.com.
911 — For Imminent Danger: If someone is actively harming themselves or others, or if there is an immediate threat to life, call 911. When calling, let the dispatcher know it is a psychiatric emergency so that a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)-trained officer can respond when available.
Samaritans of Boston
Call or text, 24/7. A Massachusetts-based suicide prevention organization providing free, confidential, nonjudgmental support from trained volunteers. Part of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline network. Visit samaritanshope.org.
Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams (CBHC Network)
Massachusetts operates a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) that provide 24/7 mobile crisis intervention services. These teams can come to you — whether you are at home, school, or another community setting.
Key advantage: Mobile crisis teams are often faster and less restrictive than an emergency department visit for non-imminent crises. They provide on-site assessment, de-escalation, safety planning, and connection to ongoing care.
- How to access: Call the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 and request mobile crisis services, or call your local CBHC directly.
- Find your local CBHC: Use the Mass.gov CBHC Finder to search by city, town, county, or zip code.
- Who qualifies: Anyone in Massachusetts experiencing a mental health crisis, regardless of insurance status.
- Services include: In-person crisis assessment, short-term stabilization, safety planning, referral to outpatient or inpatient care, and follow-up coordination.
Learn more about CBHC crisis care at mass.gov/cbhc-crisis-care.
Hospital Emergency Departments with Psychiatric Capacity
For psychiatric emergencies that require immediate medical evaluation or involuntary commitment, Massachusetts has several major hospitals with dedicated psychiatric emergency services. Below are some of the most recognized facilities:
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) — Boston. Level I trauma center with a dedicated psychiatric emergency service.
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) — Boston. Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation in the ED.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) — Boston. Psychiatric consultation and crisis stabilization.
- Boston Children’s Hospital — Boston. Pediatric and adolescent psychiatric emergencies.
- McLean Hospital — Belmont. Harvard-affiliated psychiatric specialty hospital with admissions through the evaluation process.
- Arbour Hospital / Arbour-HRI Hospital — Jamaica Plain / Brookline. Private psychiatric hospitals offering acute inpatient care.
- Bournewood Health Systems — Brookline. Acute psychiatric and substance use inpatient treatment.
- Westwood Lodge Hospital — Westwood. Private psychiatric hospital with acute care and stabilization services.
About ED wait times: Psychiatric boarding in Massachusetts emergency departments remains a significant challenge. Wait times for an inpatient psychiatric bed can range from hours to days. For non-imminent crises, consider contacting a mobile crisis team (CBHC) first — they can often provide faster intervention and may help avoid an unnecessary ED visit. If you are already in a provider relationship, contact your therapist or psychiatrist as a first step when safe to do so.
Substance Use Crisis Resources
Substance use emergencies — including overdose, severe withdrawal, or relapse — require specialized support. The following helplines provide confidential referrals, treatment placement, and harm reduction information.
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
Available 24/7. Free, confidential. Call or text “HOPE” to 800-327-5050. Staffed by certified Screening & Information Specialists with access to a database of over 2,000 state-approved prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Visit helplinema.org.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Available 24/7/365. Free, confidential treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. Operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Visit samhsa.gov.
Specialty Crisis Resources
Certain populations face unique challenges that are best addressed by specialized crisis services. The following lines are staffed by counselors with training specific to each community.
Veterans Crisis Line
Text 838255 or chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Available 24/7 for Veterans and their loved ones. Responders are trained in crisis intervention and military culture. No VA enrollment required. See also our guide on PTSD treatment approaches.
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
Available 24/7. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people under 25. Text START to 678-678 or chat at thetrevorproject.org.
Trans Lifeline
A peer support hotline run by and for trans and questioning people. No crisis required to call — you can reach out even if you just need someone to talk to. Visit translifeline.org.
SafeLink (Domestic Violence)
Massachusetts’s statewide domestic violence hotline, operated by Casa Myrna. Provides 24/7 confidential support, safety planning, shelter referrals, and information about restraining orders. Available in English and Spanish with interpreter services.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Available 24/7. Confidential support from trained staff members. Also available via online chat at rainn.org. Connects callers with a local RAINN affiliate organization.
When to Go Where: A Decision Guide
In a crisis, knowing where to turn can be overwhelming. Use this guide to match the situation to the most appropriate resource.
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Active suicidal thoughts with a plan or means | Call 988 immediately, or call 911 if there is imminent danger. Go to the nearest emergency department. |
| Self-harm or suicide attempt in progress | Call 911. Stay with the person if it is safe to do so. |
| Loved one in crisis but not in imminent danger | Call the MA Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 and request a mobile crisis team (CBHC). They can assess the person on-site. |
| Severe anxiety, panic attack, or emotional overwhelm | Call 988 or the Samaritans at 877-870-4673 for immediate support. If symptoms persist, call the BHHL at 833-773-2445 for a care referral. |
| Substance use emergency (overdose, severe withdrawal) | Call 911 for overdose. For non-emergency substance use support, call the MA Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050. |
| Non-emergency mental health concern | Contact your existing provider, or call the BHHL at 833-773-2445 for referrals to outpatient care. See our PHQ-9 & GAD-7 Score Interpreter to assess symptom severity. |
| Need for ongoing psychiatric care | Schedule a psychiatric evaluation. Review our guide on when to consider psychiatric medication or our ADHD medication comparison for specific concerns. |
About Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health
Luminous Vitality Behavioral Health is an outpatient telepsychiatry practice serving adults aged 18–55 throughout Massachusetts. Dr. Ronald Lee is a board-certified, Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, and insomnia.
We are not an emergency service. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please use the resources listed above. Existing LVBH patients in crisis should call 911 or go to their nearest emergency department.
For non-emergency psychiatric evaluations and ongoing care: Private pay / out-of-network. Many patients receive 60–80% reimbursement through PPO/EPO plans.
Phone: 617-841-3620 | Email: director@luminousvitalitybh.com | luminousvitalitybh.com
Learn more: Telepsychiatry vs. In-Person Visits | PHQ-9 & GAD-7 Score Interpreter | ADHD Medication Comparison Chart
Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. In an emergency, always call 911. Resource availability, phone numbers, and services may change. We recommend verifying details directly with each organization.
Last reviewed: April 16, 2026. Resources verified against mass.gov, 988lifeline.org, samhsa.gov, and official provider websites.
