Massachusetts Expands Access to Behavioral Health Care

Long before COVID-19, many people in Massachusetts struggled to get mental health care. Since the pandemic began, it has become even harder to access treatment, especially for people in crisis.

In January, the state launched several programs to make it easier for children, teens, and adults to get help for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Everyone in Massachusetts now has access to a free 24-hour behavioral health hotline (833-773-2445) and a state-funded network of 25 Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) that serve every community in the Commonwealth. These programs were created as part of the state’s Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform plan.

Cambridge residents can access services locally through the Community Behavioral Health Center at Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). Services include:

• Free 24-hour CHA Access and Crisis Line: 833-222-2030.
  Trained staff support people in crisis and connect them to behavioral health care.
• Behavioral Health Urgent Care
  Walk-in evaluation and treatment services are available on the first floor of Cambridge. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Closed major holidays.)
• 24-hour Mobile Crisis Services
  At any time of day, CHA behavioral health clinicians talk to people by phone, or meet them in their homes, schools or other community locations, including the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center at Cambridge Hospital. Typical response time for mobile crisis services is one hour. This service is available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of insurance plan or ability to pay.

Once people are evaluated by the CHA Community Behavioral Health Center, they will be connected to care based on their needs. Learn more about the CHA Community Behavioral Health Center.

For questions about Massachusetts CBHC services and health insurance coverage, call 833-222-2030 (Cambridge) or 833-773-2445 (statewide).