Mental Health and Recovery Resources
The City of Medford’s Office of Prevention and Outreach is committed to serving the community with mental health and substance use topics.
Below are a compiled list of resources that may be able to help in Medford and beyond.
You can also always call the Multilingual Resource Line at 781-475-5644. Staff will respond in your preferred language (including Medford) to answer any questions and connect you to resources.
General Resources
Multilingual Resource Line
You can always call the Medford Multilingual Resource Line. Anyone can call 781-475-5644 and select a preferred language from the menu to leave a voicemail in their native language.
The Medford Multilingual Resource Line has been established to help answer questions, provide support, and make connections to services. Trained professionals in social work, mental health, and public health will return calls or correspond via email to ensure that residents are receiving answers to questions and connected to support services in their native language, through the use of interpreter services. Our staff can assist with connections to services or resources including but not limited to: SNAP and other food access resources, mental health services and support, housing resources and questions, educational supports, and more.
Hotlines
- The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
- Provides the public with resource information about harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for Substance Use Disorder available in Massachusetts and a warm hand off to these programs when needed. The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via phone call, text, or chat. Phone number: 800-327-5050. Website: helplinema.org.
- 988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Provides free and confidential emotional support to all callers in emotional distress and connects them to services if needed. The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via phone call, text, or chat. Phone Number: 988. Website: 988lifeline.org.
- Behavioral Health Help Line
- Provides the public the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. They provide real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment. The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via call, text or chat. Phone number: 833-773-2445. Website: masshelpline.com.
- BMC Addiction Warmline
- Provides rapid access to medications to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders including buprenorphine (Suboxone), Sublocade, injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol), and other medications for alcohol use disorder and linkage to treatment on demand (including methadone) and referral to long term care. The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via call. Depending on time, may receive call-back after leaving message. Phone number: 617-414-4175.
- SafeSpot
- Provides virtual spotting services to people who use drugs to prevent overdose. An individual using drugs alone calls the line, uses the substance, and stays in verbal communication with the operator until both the caller and the operator have decided that it is safe to disconnect. If there is an emergency, the operator will call the designated responder given by the caller or emergency response services. Phone number: 800-972-0590. Website: safe-spot.me.
- The Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline
- Provides information about the risks and signs of problem gambling, and offers links to treatment and other resources to help you or your loved one start on the path to recovery.The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via phone call, text, or chat. Phone number: 800-327-5050. Website: gamblinghelplinema.org.
- SafeLink
- Provides resources, support, safety planning, to anyone affected by domestic or dating violence.Each call is answered by a trained advocate who provides non-judgmental support, assistance with safety planning, and information on appropriate resources. The line is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via phone call or chat. Phone number: 877-785-2020. Website: casamyrna.org/get-support/safelink/
Emergency Services
- Call 911
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat
- Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chat or text: 8388255
- Disaster Distress Helpline: CALL or TEXT 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).
- The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 – TTY Instructions
Eliot Community Services, 24-hour access number: 1-800-988-1111, https://www.masspartnership.com/pdf/ESPflyerindividualsandfamilies.pdf
Other Resources
Services and Supports
- Food Resources
- Social Service Navigation
- Mass Health
- Substance Use Support Resources
- Grief Support Resources
- Domestic Violence Support Resources
Food Resources
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Medford Farmers Market: Thursdays: 3-7pm, June-Oct; matches EBT/SNAP benefits
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Mystic Community Market: Weekly free bags of food, produce, and dry goods; pre-register or walk-in
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Mystic Valley Elder Services: These services include Meals on Wheels deliveries to eligible older adults, senior dining sites, and Mystic Tea for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults. Click on the link for more details, and call (781) 324-7705 to find out if you are eligible for nutrition services.
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Bread of Life: Medford residents or residents of any community can access services such as the Malden Food Pantry, Family Care Pantry, and evening meals at various locations in Malden.
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Get Help Directory | Project Bread: Project Bread connects people in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food. Use this directory for food resources and assistance, and call the food source hotline at (800) 645-8333 for assistance in 180 languages.
Social Service Navigation
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Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program: Provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge for low-income parents and children up to age 5. Visit the North Suburban Main Clinic at 239 Commercial Street, Malden, or call (781) 338-7578.
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Medford Housing Authority: Administers state and federally aided affordable housing programs for low income households. Also offers community resources to residents.
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Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA): Assists and empowers low-income individuals and families. Visit the Malden DTA Office at 245 Commercial Street, Malden, or call (781) 338-7300.
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Medford Family Network: A no-cost parenting education and family support organization at Medford High School.
Mass Health
- MassHealth Overview
- Health Connector: state’s marketplace for health and dental insurance
Substance Use Support Resources
- Arbour Counseling Services: Provides counseling services for behavioral health and substance use at multiple locations.
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Cambridge and Somerville Programs for Addiction Recovery (CASPAR): Offers multiple services including gender-specific transitional and recovery housing, crisis stabilization, community supports, treatment, and outreach. CASPAR also serves children and adults with developmental delays or disabling conditions.
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MA Helpline: Public resource for finding licensed and approved substance use treatment and recovery services.
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Institute for Health and Recovery: Supports a continuum of care for families and individuals affected by drug use, trauma, and mental health challenges. The Institute for Health and Recovery offers outpatient behavioral health care and other resources.
The Board of Health’s Office of Prevention and Outreach, Recovery Coach Program offers free recovery coaching, overdose prevention training, and naloxone to residents of Medford. Recovery coaching includes one on one sessions with individuals with varying levels of interest in recovery from substance use. Each participant develops a self-motivated recovery wellness plan with measurable outcomes in the areas of connectivity to the recovery community, physical health, emotional health, spiritual health, living accommodations, career development, and personal daily living management.
The Recovery Coach Program also offers a weekly drop in night and peer recovery group. The peer recovery group is every Wednesday 4:30pm – 5:30pm in Medford City Hall Room 201.
- Virtual Resources for Recovery (via Malden Overcoming Addiction)
- Staying Cyber – AA Meetings on the WW
- Never Alone Club – Online NA meeting everyday
- Virtual NA, NA meetings online and by phone
- http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php
- State substance use & prevention resources: www.mass.gov/topics/substance-use-prevention
- AA meetings in Massachusetts: https://sober.com/aa-meetings/massachusetts/
Grief Support Resources
Resources for children and families
Children's Room
Children's Traumatic Stress Network
Comfort Zone Camp
Resources for Healthcare Providers
Good Grief
Self-Help
Visit the Medford Public Library for books and other resources.
The resources below were gathered by the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition to provide help and support when dealing with loss and overwhelming feelings of sadness.
Learn 2 Cope (substance misuse challenges)
4 Court St. Suite 110
Taunton, MA
(508) 738-5148
Peer Recovery Specialist:
(508) 801-3247
http://learn2cope.org/grief-resources
Mount Auburn Bereavement Support Groups
Contact Director of Pastoral Care (617) 575-8606
National Alliance for Grieving Children
(866) 432-1542
http://childrengrive.org
Hello Grief
http://hellogrief.org
*provides resources about support groups around MA for both children and families
The Compassionate Friends of Boston
1st Tuesday of each month 6-7:30pm Trinity Church of Boston
206 Clarendon Dr.
Boston, MA
617-539-6424
http://Compassionatefriends.org
The Dougy Center: National Center for Grieving Children and Families
http://dougy.org
Support After a Death by Overdose
https://sadod.org/
Suicide Loss
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Support Groups
Domestic Violence Support Resources
- Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, 800-841-8371
- State links & resources for survivors: www.mass.gov/service-details/domestic-violence-programs-for-survivors
- National crisis hotlines (24/7)
- SafeLink: 877-785-2020
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
- Portal to Hope
- PTH Victim Advocate - Marni Gallagher: (857) 500-2850, PTH Main Line (24hr): (781) 338-7678
Prevention
Educational Resources
Check out our handbook, Navigating Teen Years: A Caregiver's Guide to Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
Substances
General drug resources:
For parents:
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Mayo Clinic: Teen drug abuse: Help your teen avoid drugs
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Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration: Talking with Teens About Alcohol and Other Drugs
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The University of Melbourne: The value of strength-based parenting
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National Institute on Drug Abuse: Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health
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Monitoring the Future: Drug Prevalence
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DrugFree: My child is experimenting with drugs. What should I do?
For teens:
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KidsHealth: Dealing With Addiction (for Teens)
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Mental Health Recovery: Tips for Teens
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KidsHealth: How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem? (for Teens)
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Cannabis
- Opioids
- Prescriptions
- Stimulants
- Over-the-Counter
- Huffing and Hallucinogens
Alcohol
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University of Minnesota: But you and dad drink: Talking to teens about alcohol | UMN Extension
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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Get the Facts About Underage Drinking:
- McLean Hospital: Just How Does Drinking Affect the Teenage Brain?
Nicotine
- Surgeon General: Know the Risks
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Department of Health and Human Services: How to Spot Stealth and Disposable E-Cigarettes
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Truth Initiative: Vaping Lingo Dictionary
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American Lung Association: Vaping Conversation Guide
- Truth Initiative: What is Zyn and what are oral nicotine pouches?
Cannabis
- Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration: Talking With Your Child About Marijuana: Keeping Your Kids Safe Brochure
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City of Boston: Marijuana legalization and the City of Boston
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National Institute on Drug Abuse: MARIJUANA: FACTS
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Drug Enforcement Administration: Vaping & Marijuana Concentrates
- CDC: Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products
Opioids
- Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration:: Talking with your Teen about Opioids
- New Jersey Department of Education: Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet
Prescriptions
- CDC: International Overdose Awareness Day
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University of Rochester Medical Center International Overdose Awareness Day: Teens and Prescription Drugs - Health Encyclopedia
- Contemporary Pediatrics: The adolescent and the medicine cabinet
Stimulants
- Stanford Medicine: Abuse of Prescription ADHD Medicines Rising on College Campuses
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County: Stimulant Abuse in Teens
Over-the-Counter
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Cough Medicine Abuse by Teens - Health Encyclopedia
- KidsHealth: Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse (for Parents)
Huffing and Hallucinogens
- Poison Control: Parents: Know about Inhalant Abuse
- KidsHealth: What are "Magic" Mushroooms?
Bullying
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology: Bullying Resource Center
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Bullying Resource Center: most resources in Spanish
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UNICEF Parenting: Bullying: What is it and how to stop it
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Child Mind Institute: My Child Is a Bully: What Should I Do?
- StopBullying.gov: What Teens Can Do
Discrimination
- American Psychological Association: Discrimination: What it is and how to cope
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American Psychological Association: Talking to kids about discrimination
- CDC: Parents’ influence on lesbian, gay, or bisexual teens
Violence
- CDC: Risk and Protective Factors
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Child Development Institute: How To Talk To Kids About Tragedies In The Media
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VictimConnect: National Hotlines - Victim Connect Resource Center
- National Association of School Psychologists: School Violence Prevention: Tips for Parents & Educators
Healthy Relationships
- University of Minnesota: Divorce and other family transitions
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University of Rochester Medical Center: Close Bond With Your Teen Can Keep Them Physically Healthy, Too: Study - Health Encyclopedia
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: What You Can Do if You Think Your Teen Is in an Abusive Relationship
Mental Health
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KidsHealth: Healthy Eating (for Parents)
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Weill Cornell Medicine: Helping Your Kids Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food
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Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery: Self-injury & Recovery Resources
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UCLA Health: How much sleep do teens need? And how to help them get enough
- Canadian Pediatric Society: Teens and sleep: Why you need it and how to get enough