Best Mental Health in Massachusetts — 15 resources

About Mental Health

Mental health services in the US range from free crisis lines and public community mental health centers to private therapy and inpatient care. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline operates 24/7 nationwide and is free and confidential. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) connects callers with local treatment resources for mental health and substance use. Community Mental Health Centers exist in every state and serve people regardless of ability to pay, usually on sliding-scale fees. Medicaid covers mental health care in all states, and the ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health at parity with medical care. Fathers are particularly at risk for undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and substance issues around separation and custody disputes — this directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, support groups specifically for men, and state mental health authorities.

15 Resources

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Massachusetts) — Free

Call or text 988 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis support. Massachusetts calls are routed to local crisis centers staffed by trained counselors who can de-escalate, safety plan, and connect callers to nearby outpatient care, mobile crisis teams, and emergency services. Available to anyone in distress or worried about a loved one, including fathers in custody, divorce, or job-loss crises. Chat also available at 988lifeline.org.

988 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. Crisis Text Line — Free

Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling via text. Trained crisis counselors are available around the clock to help with suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, family crises, and substance use. Texting can feel safer than calling for parents in shared-living situations. Free on most carriers and does not appear on phone bills. Counselors can refer to Massachusetts-specific outpatient and mobile-crisis resources.

Text-based — national · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. NAMI Massachusetts — Free

Statewide mental health advocacy organization offering free peer-led support groups, family education classes (Family-to-Family, NAMI Basics), a helpline for provider referrals, and public-awareness programs. Serves people living with mental illness and their family members, including fathers supporting a child or partner in crisis. Register for groups and classes online or by phone; no diagnosis or insurance required to participate.

617-580-8541 · 529 Main St, Suite 1M14, Charlestown, MA 02129 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. SAMHSA National Helpline — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 national helpline for mental health and substance use disorder referrals. Callers are connected to Massachusetts treatment facilities, community-based organizations, and support groups regardless of insurance. English and Spanish speakers always available; other languages via interpreter. No appointment needed and no insurance required to call. Have your ZIP code and a general sense of preferred treatment type ready.

1-800-662-4357 · National · 24/7 · Visit Website

5. Massachusetts DMH (Department of Mental Health) — Free

State agency overseeing public mental health services across Massachusetts. Coordinates community-based treatment, inpatient psychiatric care, emergency services, Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), and respite programs through regional Area Offices. Individuals can apply for DMH services if they meet clinical and financial eligibility. Contact the nearest DMH Area Office for intake; bring photo ID, insurance info, and any prior treatment records.

617-626-8000 · 25 Staniford St, Boston, MA 02114 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line — Free

Free, confidential 24/7 statewide helpline connecting Massachusetts residents to mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorder services. Clinicians help callers find outpatient therapy, urgent care, mobile crisis, inpatient care, and treatment programs covered by their insurance (MassHealth, commercial, Medicare, uninsured). Live chat available at masshelpline.com. No referral needed; have insurance info and ZIP code ready.

1-833-773-2445 · Statewide phone service · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Riverside Community Care

Major Massachusetts behavioral health provider offering outpatient therapy, medication management, psychiatric services, mobile crisis, and substance use treatment across 25+ locations in the eastern half of the state. Accepts MassHealth, commercial insurance, and Medicare; sliding-fee options may be available for uninsured patients. Call the intake line to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and medication lists.

781-329-0909 · Dedham, MA and 25+ locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; some Saturday hours · Visit Website

8. William James College INTERFACE Referral Service — Free

Free mental health referral service helping Massachusetts residents find therapists matched to their needs, insurance, age, language, and location. Licensed clinicians do the matching and call the caller back with 2-3 referrals that have confirmed openings. Available to member-community residents and also to others on a fee basis. Have insurance info, ZIP code, and a brief description of presenting concerns ready when you call.

888-244-6843 · Phone/web-based referral service · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Samaritans of Boston — Free

Provides free, confidential emotional support and crisis services via phone, text, and chat for people in distress across Massachusetts. Trained volunteers offer non-judgmental listening for loneliness, grief, suicidal thoughts, and life stress. Not a referral service but can connect callers to 988 and local crisis resources when needed. Anonymous; no insurance or registration required. Chat available at samaritanshope.org.

877-870-4673 · Boston, MA (phone/text-based) · 24/7 · Visit Website

10. McLean Hospital (Belmont)

Harvard-affiliated psychiatric hospital offering comprehensive mental health treatment including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and outpatient programs for adults, adolescents, and children. Specialty programs for depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, substance use, and borderline personality disorder. Accepts commercial insurance and Medicare; MassHealth acceptance varies by program. Call Admissions 24/7 for intake; bring photo ID and insurance cards.

617-855-2000 · 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478 · Admissions 24/7; outpatient Mon-Fri · Visit Website

11. Brockton Area Multi-Services (BAMSI)

Provides mental health counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric care, and behavioral health services across southeastern Massachusetts including Brockton, Norwood, Taunton, and New Bedford. Serves children, adolescents, and adults with MassHealth, commercial insurance, and sliding-fee options for uninsured. Call intake to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and any prior psychiatric or medication records.

508-580-8300 · One Edgewater Dr, Suite 203, Norwood, MA 02062 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

12. ServiceNet (Western MA)

Western Massachusetts behavioral health provider offering outpatient counseling, medication management, psychiatric care, and mobile crisis services in Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties. Serves adults, children, and adolescents with MassHealth, commercial insurance, and sliding-fee options. Call intake to schedule; bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication lists, and any prior treatment records. 24/7 crisis line available.

413-585-1300 · 129 King St, Northampton, MA 01060 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; crisis 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Eliot Community Human Services

Provides outpatient mental health services, family counseling, psychiatric care, and community-based behavioral health at locations across eastern Massachusetts including Lexington, Lynn, Everett, and Framingham. Serves children, adolescents, and adults with MassHealth, commercial insurance, and sliding-scale options. Call the intake line to schedule a first appointment; bring photo ID, insurance cards, and a list of current medications.

781-861-0890 · Lexington, MA and multiple eastern MA locations · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm · Visit Website

0-$80 per session) with licensed Massachusetts therapists who volunteer to see Open Path members. Users pay a one-time lifetime membership fee and search the directory by MA city, specialty, and insurance. No income verification required, but intended for people without easy access to affordable mental health care. Contact therapists directly to book.

Online directory — search by MA location · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

15. Postpartum Support International - MA Chapter — Free

Support for fathers and mothers experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including postpartum depression, anxiety, and paternal postpartum depression. Offers a 24/7 national helpline, online and in-person support groups (including a dads group), and a Massachusetts provider directory of specialized perinatal mental health clinicians. Free to participate; providers bill insurance separately. Text HELP to 800-944-4773.

1-800-944-4773 · National with MA support group listings · Helpline 24/7 · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many mental health resources are in Massachusetts?
Men's Corner tracks 15 mental health resources for men and fathers in Massachusetts.
Are mental health resources in Massachusetts free?
9 of the 15 listed mental health resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have mental health resources?
Listings span cities including Charlestown, Boston, Dedham, Belmont, Norwood, Northampton.
What are some examples of mental health resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Massachusetts), Crisis Text Line, NAMI Massachusetts, SAMHSA National Helpline, Massachusetts DMH (Department of Mental Health).
Do these listings include phone numbers?
13 of 15 Massachusetts mental health listings include phone numbers.
I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7 nationwide. Veterans press 1. For non-crisis mental health support, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers (every state has them) charge on sliding-scale based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all states. Private insurance must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Psychology Today's therapist finder lets you filter by insurance. Open Path Collective offers 0–$80 sessions.
Can therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost always no — judges view voluntarily-sought mental health treatment as responsible parenting. Therapists must keep sessions confidential (with narrow exceptions: child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). Court-ordered evaluations are different from voluntary therapy.
Is there support specifically for men?
Yes. Face It Foundation, HeadsUpGuys, Men's Sheds, and Man Therapy run men-focused programs. Many community mental health centers run men-only groups. Fatherhood programs often include peer support as part of their model.