Behavioral Health Resources

Free Supports for the Criminal Justice Involved

This page highlights free resources available to individuals involved in the criminal justice system and their families. These services offer behavioral health support, guidance, referrals, crisis intervention, reentry assistance, and information to help people navigate the Massachusetts criminal justice and mental health systems.

Community Support

Many towns now have behavioral health clinicians working alongside local police departments. They help address mental health and substance use needs through crisis intervention, referrals to services, and NARCAN training and distribution.

Contact your local police department to learn more about available behavioral health clinician services.

MA Behavioral Health Helpline: masshelpline.com or 833-773-2445

Call or text 24/7 for urgent care evaluation, connection to clinical services, and mobile crisis response. People concerned about someone who may need support may also call.

Mental Health Specialty Court Sessions

Mental Health Courts help increase access to mental health treatment for court-involved individuals and support their path away from unlawful behavior. Participation is voluntary. Eligible participants must agree to participate and comply with program requirements.

Learn about the referral process and participating court districts at macoe.org.

Contact the Ayer and Concord District Courts’ Mental Health Court Clinician: Margaret Johnston, LMHC, mjohnston4@TeamCenturion.com, or 774-419-2417.

Understanding the Criminal Justice System

Road Map Through the Criminal Justice System:
namimass.org/wp-content/uploads/roadmap2020.pdf

This guide helps people experiencing mental health symptoms, their families, and supporters understand the Massachusetts criminal justice system. Topics include hospitalization for mental health or substance use, entering the criminal justice system, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial processes.

NAMI MA Compass Helpline:
namimass.org/nami-mass-compass-helpline

This information and referral helpline helps people navigate the mental health system and problem solve in difficult circumstances, including criminal justice concerns. Available Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Contact: 617-704-6264, 1-800-370-9085, or compass@namimass.org.

Reentry Services

Coming Home Directory: cominghomedirectory.org

The Crime and Justice Institute offers this directory of reentry services for people returning from incarceration to Greater Boston. It helps returning individuals, families, service providers, and local agencies connect with resources that support stability and success in the community.

Free Supports for the Criminal Justice Involved

This page brings together community-based resources that support individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges who may interact with law enforcement or the criminal justice system. It highlights crisis response options, behavioral health support embedded in local communities, specialty court programs focused on treatment and recovery, guidance for navigating the justice system, and services that assist individuals returning to the community after incarceration.

Community Support

Many towns now have behavioral health clinicians working alongside local police departments. They work to address the mental health and substance use needs of people coming into contact with law enforcement through crisis intervention and referrals to services. They also offer NARCAN training and distribution. Contact your local police department to find out who their behavioral health clinician is.

MA Behavioral Health Helpline: masshelpline.com or 833-773-2445.
Call or text 24/7 for urgent care evaluation, connection to clinical services, and mobile crisis response.

Those concerned about someone who may need support are welcome to call.

Mental Health Specialty Court Sessions

Mental Health Courts are designed to increase access to mental health treatment for court-involved people and assist them in their path away from unlawful behavior. Participation in Mental Health Courts is voluntary, and those who meet eligibility criteria must agree to participate and comply with program requirements. Learn about the referral process and participating court districts on the Massachusetts Center of Excellence for Specialty Courts website at macoe.org.

Contact the Ayer & Concord District Courts’ Mental Health Court Clinician, Margaret Johnston, LMHC, at mjohnston4@TeamCenturion.com or 774-419-2417.

Understanding the Criminal Justice System

“Road Map Through the Criminal Justice System”:
namimass.org/wp-content/uploads/roadmap2020.pdf

This guide is for people dealing with mental health symptoms, their families, and other supporters. It explains the essentials of the Massachusetts criminal justice system and includes information to help people with mental health conditions find a way out or treatment within. Subheadings include Hospitalization for Mental Health or Substance Use, Entering the Criminal Justice System, Pre-Trial, Trial, and Post-Trial.

NAMI MA Compass Helpline: namimass.org/nami-mass-compass-helpline

An information and referral helpline that provides resources and support to help people navigate the mental health system and problem-solve in difficult circumstances, including criminal justice concerns, Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Contact: 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085, or compass@namimass.org.

Re-entry Services

“Coming Home Directory”: cominghomedirectory.org
The Crime and Justice Institute offers this directory of reentry services available to people returning from incarceration to Greater Boston. The goal is to assist returning individuals, their families, service providers, and local agencies in helping people thrive in the community by connecting them to services that help build stability and success.

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