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Free Psychological Help for Low-Income People in Massachusetts

Low-income people in Massachusetts can access free psychological help at a number of venues, including nonprofit organizations and private mental health agencies. Massachusetts statute requires the Department of Mental Health, the state's mental health authority, to assume leadership in all mental health issues affecting the state's residents. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health makes a broad range of psychological services available to low-income people.

  1. Department of Mental Health

    • The Department of Mental Health, or DMH, is an agency of the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services. DMH provides state-funded mental health services through its many partnerships with state agencies, nonprofit organizations and private mental health agencies. DMH works to integrate private and public psychological resources to increase the community-based care available to children, adolescents and adults. MassHealth, formerly the Division of Medical Assistance, partners with DMH to provide services through the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership. DMH or its contracted vendors provide long-term inpatient services and community-based care.

    Nonprofit Organizations

    • Some Massachusetts nonprofit organizations offer psychological help for low-income people outside of the services provided by DMH. For instance, the Community Legal Services and Counseling Center's fees for mental health services, including psychotherapy, to low-income people range from $0 to $55. The center does not accept insurance and does not turn away people who cannot pay.

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

    • The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, website provides a mental health services locator that provides listings by state. The Massachusetts listing contains 30 pages of mental health service providers, some of which provide services to low-income people. Often, a provider in your area can share information on which agencies or resources are available to help low-income clients.

    Massachusetts Association for Mental Health

    • The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, or MAMH, is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the needs and rights of people with mental illness. MAMH focuses on making sure services exist for the mentally ill. MAMH helps Massachusetts residents locate resources and psychological services for the mentally ill and their families. The MAMH website provides an online request for help form you can complete to have someone contact you or you can call the organization to request help. MAMH maintains contacts throughout the state with providers and other organizations and can help low-income people identify free or affordable mental health services.

    Tips

    • Contact one of the Department of Mental Health service sites for information about how to apply for mental health services. The process requires completion of an application and submission of documentation. Massachusetts 211 provides an online search you can use to find mental health services for low-income people in your area.

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