How is Your Child's Mental Health?

You may notice that your child or adolescent:

• Often seems unhappy, angry, or withdrawn, and nothing seems to help
• Seems distracted and restless and can't sit still as long as other children of the same age
• Is falling behind in school work or has problems in the classroom
• Puts him or herself down and seems to feel worthless
• Has few friends and doesn’t get along with family members
• Seems to be upset and highly stressed about family problems
• Shows signs of using drugs or alcohol
• Is making comments about suicide

When a mental illness is suspected and a severe crisis in behavior occurs, school staff most importantly wants you as the parent to be aware we are concerned for your child’s welfare and suggest you utilize the following resources:

Community resources to support your child’s mental health:

REFERRAL FOR SERVICES:

William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from their extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller.

Speak with your child’s primary care physician for support with mental health concerns.

24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE SERVICES: (800) 977-5555

This hotline can provide support for the student and family 24/7, 365 days of the year. Youth can also call themselves for support. You may also call and place your child “on alert” and let them know that you are concerned for your child’s mental health status.

MOBILE CRISIS INTERVENTION (MCI):

Call (800)977-5555 for MassHealth-enrolled youth up to 21, this service mobilizes to the home or other site where a youth is located (School). Service is provided 24/7/365 at all locations. Request a mobile crisis team to come to your location and evaluate the child.

EMERGENCY SERVICES PROGRAMS (ESP):

Community-based emergency services are available to help individuals having a mental health and/or substance abuse crisis. They are the alternative to hospital emergency departments.

• Community HealthLink, Inc.
  40 Spruce Street
  Leominster, MA 01453
  (978) 534-6116
• Community HealthLink, Inc.
  10 Parker Street
  Gardner, MA 01440

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS (ER/ED):

• Health Alliance Hospital – Leominster, MA
  60 Hospital Rd, Leominster, MA 01453
  (978) 466-2000
• Nashoba Valley Medical Center – Ayer, MA
  200 Groton Rd, Ayer, MA 01432
  (978) 784-9000
• Lowell General Hospital (On-Sight Youth Psychiatric Unit)
  295 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA 01854
  (978) 937-6000
• Emerson Hospital (On-Sight Youth Psychiatric Unit)
  133 Old Road Nine Acre Corner, Concord MA 01742
  (978)369-1400

Online resources to support your child’s mental health:

National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts - www.namimass.org