Cyber Café @ Malden Square Community Resource List

Organizations Led by People in Recovery

2011-11-26T13:17:00.000-05:00

Organizations Led by People in Recovery

NAMI
Greater Boston Consumer Advocacy/Affiliate Network, is a grassroots organization primarily consisting of mental health consumers

Transformation Center
Peers in all stages of recovering our mental health wellness and freedom from addictions and trauma

Independent Living Centers of Massachusetts

Information and Referral
Skills Training
Peer Mentoring

Mental Health America , (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association)
Nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives

National Empowerment Center
Recovery is real and this website is filled with practical information that will help you recover if you have been labeled with a mental illness

Consumer Quality Initiatives (CQI)
A mental health consumer operated research, evaluation and quality improvement organization based in Massachusetts. A primary activity of CQI is to conduct personal interviews and focus groups with people with disabilities and/or their family members using semi-structured surveys and interview guides, leading to in-depth data-driven reports

Online Support for People with Mental Illness

2011-11-26T12:58:00.001-05:00

Online Social Communities
True Acceptance
An online social community that provides opportunities for adults over the age of 18 to meet other adults with mental illness

No Longer Lonely
An online dating designed exclusively for adults with serious mental illness. Membership is reserved solely for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, personality disorder, post-traumatic disorder, or disassociative disorder, or eating disorder

Online Support Groups
An Online Support Group is the place to share your experiences, your feelings and wisdom and a comfort zone for people dealing with the same health challenges.

MDJunction.com
People helping people

Daily Strength
Free anonymous support from people like you

Find the Light
Focusing on Mood Disorders, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse

GriefNet.org
an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss

Forums at Psych Central

Google Directory, Support Groups - Mental Health

Missing Persons

2011-11-26T12:30:00.001-05:00

Missing Persons Support
Resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for missing loved ones with mental illness.

National Center for Missing Adults
Let's Bring them Home: resources for courses, protocols, and investigative strategies for missing persons

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
National resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children

Salvation Army USA, Missing Person Service
Provides help to families wishing to reunite

Veterans, Troops, & Families Resources

2011-11-26T11:48:00.005-05:00

Veterans' Administration
The Veterans' Administration offers a Special Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown. This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

National Center for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp

Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer

The Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA) provides a monthly Veterans Dial-A-Lawyer program at no charge as a public service of the MBA.

Veterans Resources at the NAMI website

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Veterans_Resources&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53587&lstid=879

Massachusetts Dept. of Veterans Services

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=veteranshomepage&L=1&sid=Eveterans&L0=Home

Veterans Outreach and Counseling in Massachusetts

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetoutr.htm

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hotline

Staffed 24/7 with Mental Health professionals who can refer callers to one of more than 120 VA crisis centers closest to them.
Their goal is to get the veteran the best immediate help needed
800-273-8255
Spanish speaking line is 888-628-9454

VA New England Healthcare System

http://www.newengland.va.gov/

Giveanhour.org

http://www.giveanhour.org/skins/gah/home.aspx

nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and their families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan :

Vet-to-Vet (Women's Veteran's self-help support group)

meets Thursdays from 1-2pm at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Hospital , Fourth Flr Rm C-12,
Contact Darlene Saunders 857-364-6396

Veterans as Employees

http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/

Designed by U.S. Department of Labor for employers and the workforce development system , the America' s Heroes at Work website is a link to information and tools to help returning service members succeed in the workplace.

2-page Flyer on Resources for Veterans

http://download.ncadi.samhsa.gov/ken/Veterans_Resource_Guide_Flyer.pdf

A variety of resources to treatment providers, veterans, and their family members by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Web Portal Focus on Post Deployment

https://www.afterdeployment.org/index2.php?cid=s000_5005

The Department of Defense launched a web portal that allows service members to seek mental health treatments focused on post-deployment problems

Suicide Prevention Tools from US Army
http://www.armyg1.army.mil/HR/suicide/default.asp
To support and empower soldiers, civilians, families and veterans in minimizing suicide behavior by providing tools for human resource personnel and commanders

Reports on Suicide Prevention , Depression and Treatment among Veterans

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.pdf

This issue of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report examines data from veterans aged 21 to 39 who have experienced Major Depressive Disorder .

This second report, prepared by the Congressional Research Service , discusses data and risk and protective factors for suicide in the general population and among veterans.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34471_20080505.pdf

Online Directory of Resources for Wounded Veterans and their Families
www.nationalresourcedirectory.org

This web site, developed jointly by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, provides over ten thousand services and resources available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

Operation Healthy Reunions, Information for troops and their families
http://www.nmha.org/reunions/

Warmlines

The Warmline is a call in service that provides the community with a place to turn if they need someone to talk to.

The Warmline Staff are Mental Health Consumers.
All staff have received the training and education needed to provide Warmline services to the community.
All calls are kept confidential. What you say is kept between you and the Warmline staff.
The only exception is when the call is considered a crisis. In this case the call will be referred to the crisis service.

List of known Warmline URLs
http://buzz.freeshell.org/wlines

MetroBoston

MetroBoston Recovery Learning Community
Phone: 877-733-7563 (877-PEER LNE)

Hours: Mon. Thurs. & Sat. 4-8 pm

Center Club Warmline
Phone: (617) 675-3873
Hours: Mon-Sun 2-5 pm

Casa Primavera Warmline
Phone: (617) 445-8017
Hours: M-F 8-9 AM & 5-11 PM, Sat & Sun 9AM - 5 PM

Metro Surburban Area

C.A.S.T.L.E.
Phone: (617) 610-7907
Hours: Su-F 7-11 pm

The Peer Line
Phone: (508) 312-5139
Hours: M-F 5:30-10 pm

Consumer Warmline
Phone: (800) 243-5836
Hours: Mon-Fri 5-10 pm, Sat & Sun 1-10pm

Edinburg Center

Phone: 781-862-3600 or 781-860-0570

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5pm-10pm, Sat & Sun. 1pm – 10pm

Central MA Area

Cross Connections
Phone: (978) 629-8485
Hours: M-F 4-7 pm & 10-12 pm

Tradewind Warmline
Phone: (508) 864-0270
Hours: Fri 4-10 pm, Sat & Sun 10am-10 pm

The Central Mass Recovery Learning Community
Phone: 508-468-9740

Hours: Mon-Sun 6-8 pm

Westwinds Warmline
Phone: (508) 426-1660
Hours: Mon-Sun 6-9 pm

Northeast Area

Project Rap
Phone: (978) 922-0000
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:00 pm

Western MA

Pioneer Valley Warmline
Phone: (413) 747-8658
Hours: Thurs-Sun 5pm-1am

Important Law-related Telephone Numbers

2011-11-26T11:22:00.001-05:00

Massachusetts Bar Association Public Service Programs

Lawyer Referral Service- (617) 654-0400 or (800) 392-6164 - telephone referral to a lawyer for anyone seeking legal advice and representation, pro bono (free) and reduced rate telephone referral for those needing legal services and unable to afford them

Tel-Law- (617) 542-9069 - telephone hotline playing recorded messages about basic legal questions

Fee Arbitration Board - (617) 338-0552 - resolves fee disputes between clients and lawyers through voluntary arbitration

Attorney General's Office - (617) 727-8400 - civil rights, consumer issues and violent crime information and assistance

Board of Bar Overseers - (617) 720-0700 (complaints), (617) 720-0708 (registration) - attorney complaints and registration

Citizen's Information Services - (617) 727-7030 - information on state government and agencies; legislative issues

Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts - (617) 426-3170 - constitutional rights, civil rights and liberties advocacy and representation

Clearinghouse for Affordable Housing and Homelessness -
(617) 742-0615 - legal assistance for non-profit groups planning or maintaining affordable housing

Consumer Credit Counseling - (617) 426-6644 - counseling on family budgets, debt management and housing finance

Consumer Information Office - (617) 727-7780 - clearinghouse for all consumer issues

Department of Elder Affairs - (617) 727-7272/7750 - counseling for the elderly

Department of Social Services - (617) 727-0900 - information on a variety of social service programs

Disability Law Center - (617) 723-8455 - information on legal rights of the disabled

Division of Insurance- (617) 727-3333 - consumer service section, information on insurance problems

Divorce and Mediation Center- (617) 492-3533 - counseling, support groups and mediation

Internal Revenue Service - (617) 523-1040 - taxpayer information

International Institute - (617) 536-1081 - information on immigration, naturalization and social services

Legal Advocacy and Resource Center - (617) 742-9179 - information and referrals on legal problems

Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination - (617) 727-3990 - complaints of discrimination in credit, housing, public accommodations and employment

Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services - (617) 482-2773, incarcerated clients call collect (617) 482-4124 - legal advice for indigent inmates regarding incarceration

Massachusetts Department of Revenue - (617) 727-4545 - taxpayer assistance

Child Support Enforcement Division - (617) 621-4444 - parents seeking child support

Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board - (617) 727-4900 - industrial accident information and referrals

Massachusetts Lemon Law Arbitration Program - (617) 727-4061 - disputes between car buyers and manufacturers

National Lawyers Guild and Referral - Spanish - (617) 227-7008 - low and moderate income clients with working class, women's or minority rights issues

Small Claims Advisory Service - (617) 497-5690 - student-staffed small claims information

Legal/Law Publications

2011-11-26T11:18:00.001-05:00

Black's Law Dictionary
The unabridged law dictionary, Black's is the dictionary used by the legal profession. Most definitions are understandable by the layperson. Available in hardbound or paperbound, Black's can be found in large bookstores, many public libraries and in all law school bookstores. Or, contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.

The First Amendment Handbook
More of a booklet than a book, The First Amendment Handbook is, in the words of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, "a first line of defense in the battle to protect the news media's right to gather and disseminate the news." The handbook covers basic law dealing with problems of libel, invasion of privacy, court access and access to news in language understandable to non-lawyers. Price is $4. The Reporters Committee has a number of other excellent publications and services for journalists. Contact the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press, Suite 504, 1735 Eye Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

General Laws of Massachusetts
Published by the Massachusetts Legislature, the General Laws of Massachusetts is the official compilation of all Massachusetts statutes. It is the only listing of statutes published with the assistance of the Massachusetts Legislature and is more accurate than other compilations. As the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court requires that all citations in legal matters be drawn from the GLM, the books form an excellent resource for journalists. Unlike other compilations of Massachusetts statutes, which are hardcover and cost thousands of dollars, the GLM is in paperback, is easily portable and the 15-volume set is under $400. Included in the price are monthly updates and the entire set is revised every other year. The GLM is a superb reference for any newsroom. Contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.

A Journalist's Primer on Locating Legal Documents
A Journalist's Primer on Locating Legal Documents, is a 50 page booklet written to help journalists locate and access public documents that will provide them with valuable information. It is divided into sections on individual's backgrounds , court records , government agency records, property records and political records. There is a resources section listing address of agencies that maintain records a reporter might find useful. Copies are $2 each, $1.75 each for 50 or more. Handling fee is $1 for orders under $5, $2.95 for orders over $5. Order publication PC # 468-0017 from The American Bar Association, Commission on Public Understanding About the Law , 750 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611.

The Lawyer's Almanac
The publisher, Prentice Hall Law & Business, refers to The Lawyer's Almanac as "a complete reference to vital facts and figures about the legal profession." The book contains over 1,000 pages of data on the practice of law. Examples of material included: the 500 largest law firms, billing rates of major firms, survey of corporate lawyer salaries, legal education and bar admission statistics, ranges of verdict awards and federal litigation statistics. Contact Prentice Hall Law & Business, 910 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.

Law Dictionary
This dictionary, published by Barron's, is not as huge as Black's Law Dictionary but is still quite comprehensive. It's also much more portable than Black's. $9.95 at bookstores or contact Barron's Educational Series Inc., 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788

Law Pamphlets
As a public service, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Foundation publish pamphlets for consumers on different aspects of the law. Titles include How to Protect Your Privacy; Your Rights if Arrested; A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance; You, Your Marriage and the Law; Buying and Selling a House; Why Probate?, and a number of others. Single copies are available free of charge although the public is requested to send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope for every two titles requested. Contact the Massachusetts Bar Association, 20 West St., Boston, MA 02111-1204, (617)-0500.

The Maps
This spiral-bound book contains maps and written directions to the locations of all the courts in Massachusetts. Published by Lawyers Weekly Publications, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) (617) 451-7300.

Massachusetts Lawyers Diary and Manual
The Lawyers Diary and Manual includes phone numbers and addresses for every lawyer admitted to the bar in Massachusetts, phone numbers and addresses of state and federal judges, names and locations of all courts and court-related agencies, bar association contacts, a Massachusetts municipal directory, and lots more information. Issued annually. To order, write Massachusetts Lawyers Diary and Manual, PO Box 1232, Newark, NJ 07101-1232 or call (800) 444-4041.

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Lawyers Weekly is the trade journal read by most practicing Massachusetts lawyers. Each issue contains timely articles on developments in the practice of law, legislation, activities of the various bar associations, the past week's opinions of the courts and human interest stories. Many journalists who cover law find Lawyers Weekly to be an excellent source of information on the legal profession. To subscribe, contact Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 451-7300.

Massachusetts Rules of Court -- State and Federal
As the title suggests this softcover book covers all the rules and procedures of the various Massachusetts state courts and the federal courts. While not written in lay terms. The book provides some insight into the mysteries and vagaries of the court system. Contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.

The Rules
A compilation of all rules for Massachusetts courts and local rules for federal courts. While this information is the same as that in West Publishing's Massachusetts Rules of Court -- State and Federal, this version is bound in a three-ring binder and is periodically updated. Published by Lawyers Weekly Publications, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 227-6034.

Federal Courts

2011-11-26T11:16:00.002-05:00

Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Supreme Court Building
1 First St. NE
Washington, D.C. 20543
(202) 479-3000
public information office: (202) 479-3017

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
John W. McCormack Building and Post Office
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-9057

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
John W. McCormack Building and Post Office
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-9152
(for central Massachusetts)

Federal Building and Courthouse
595 Main St., 5th Floor
Worcester, MA 01601
(508) 793-0552
(for western Massachusetts)

Federal Building and Courthouse
1550 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 785-0214

Office of the Circuit Executive
Judicial Council of the 1st Circuit
John W. McCormack Building and Post Office
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-9049

U.S. Bankruptcy Court
1101 O'Neil Federal Office Building
10 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02222-1074
(617) 565-6050
10 Mechanic St.
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 793-0543

U.S. Tax Court
O'Neil Federal Office Building
10 Causeway St.
Boston, MA 02222
(617) 376-2700

U.S. Attorney's Office
John W. McCormack Building and Post Office
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-9400

U.S. Marshal
John W. McCormack Building and Post Office
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-9726

U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Kennedy Building
Government Center, Boston 02203
(617) 565-3879

Federal Public Defender
195 State St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 565-8335

Massachusetts State Courts

2011-11-26T11:15:00.003-05:00

Public Information Office: (617) 557-1113
This is a good starting place for general administrative information on all the courts.

Supreme Judicial Court
New Court House
Pemberton Square, Boston 02108
(617) 725-8055

Appeals Court
New Court House
Pemberton Square, Boston 02108
(617) 725-8000

Administrative Office of the Trial Court
2 Center Plaza, Suite 540
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-8575

Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place
Room 405
Boston, MA 02108

Superior Court
New Courthouse
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 725-8000

Land Court
Old Courthouse
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-7470

Probate and Family Court
3 Center Plaza
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-9743

Housing Court
1000 New Court House
Boston, MA 02108
Clerk magistrate (Boston Division) : (617) 725-8485

Housing Court - Hampden Division
37 Elm St.,
Springfield, MA 01103
Clerk magistrate: (413) 781-8100

Housing Court - Worcester Division
2 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01608
Clerk magistrate: (508) 792-0800

Trial Court Department
Administrative Office
Holyoke Building
Holyoke Square, Salem, MA 01970
(508) 745-9010

Boston Municipal Court
Old Court House
Boston, MA 02108
Clerk magistrate, Civil: (617) 725-8404
Clerk magistrate, Criminal: (617) 725-8460

Juvenile Court Department
Old Court House
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 725-8558

Massachusetts District Attorneys

2011-11-26T11:14:00.003-05:00

Barnstable: (includes islands) 3231 Main St., Barnstable, MA 02630; (508) 362-8113

Berkshire: 42 West St. Box 1969, Pittsfield, MA 01202; (413) 443-5951

Bristol: 88 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740; (508) 997-0711

Dukes: see Barnstable

Essex: Museum Place, 1 India Sq., Salem, MA 01970; (508) 745-6610

Franklin: 1 Court Square, Northampton, MA 01060; (413) 586-9225

Hampden: Hall of Justice, 50 State St., Springfield, MA 01103; (413) 781-8100

Hampshire: see Franklin

Middlesex: Superior Courthouse, 40 Thorndike St., Cambridge, MA 02141; (617) 494-4050

Nantucket: see Barnstable

Norfolk: 360 Washington St., Box 309, Dedham, MA 02026; (617) 329-5440

Plymouth: 32 Belmont St., Box 1665, Brockton, MA 02403; (508) 584-8120

Suffolk: New Courthouse, Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108; (617) 725-8600

Worcester: Courthouse, Worcester, MA 01608; (508) 798-7700

Massachusetts Law Schools

2011-11-26T11:13:00.001-05:00

Law schools are good sources of commentary on legal topics, particularly on constitutional law and interpretation, and legal ethics.

Boston College Law School
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02159
communications office: (617) 552-3350

Boston University School of Law
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
communications office: (617) 353-2240

Harvard Law School
Baker House
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
main number: (617) 495-3100

Massachusetts School of Law
500 Federal Street
Andover, MA 01810
main number: (508) 470-3070

New England School of Law
154 Stuart Street
Boston, MA 02116
communications office: (617) 451-0010, Ext. 201

Northeastern University School of Law
400 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
communications office: (617) 437-5426

Southern New England School of Law
74 Purchase St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
main number: (508) 999-0400

Suffolk University Law School
8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
communications office: (617) 573-8236

Western New England College School of Law
1215 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
communications office: (413) 782-1325

Do Not Call Registries & Telemarketing Issues

2011-11-26T10:30:00.006-05:00

Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry
https://www.madonotcall.govconnect.com/Welcome.asp

Federal Do Not Call Registry
https://www.donotcall.gov/

Catalog Choice
http://www.catalogchoice.org/
eliminate unwanted catalogs you receive in the mail

Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm
Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go to “Just Say No”

Secrets of the Job Hunt

2011-07-23T07:34:00.000-04:00

Here's a site that has several bloggers with advice for job seekers.

Career Overview

2010-11-04T06:49:00.000-04:00

Making informed career decisions can be a daunting and difficult task. For nearly 5 years CareerOverview.com has been helping aspiring career professionals, job seekers and students make better, more informed career choices by providing them with relevant, reliable and up-to-date career and job information. With many thousands of daily visitors CareerOverview.com is now one of the premier career websites on the Internet.
We are constantly adding to the information and resources on this site. Please check back frequently for updates.

Recruiter Musings

2010-09-20T07:59:00.000-04:00

The tagline describes what's in this site: "advice for job seekers in the real world."

We Are Visible

2010-09-14T08:02:00.000-04:00

We Are Visible is a social media literacy website to help homeless people learn how to use the Internet to tell their stories, build community, and connect with support services.

On the main page is a video to learn more about this social networking site and 4 short tutorials; how to use:

Facebook
Gmail
Twitter
whether or not to blog

The site is a way to learn how to connect online and a means by which to connect.

The Career Guide

2010-07-17T08:45:00.001-04:00

The Career Guide will help you evaluate your reactions to work and decide what to do next. You can use it to decipher your creative potential and find out more about who you are, what you want to do, and how to navigate yourself toward satisfying work. Are you miserable enough to risk a career change?

Mental Health Services

2009-07-27T12:25:00.005-04:00

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

FEDERAL GUIDE TO HELP PARENTS MAKE SAFE CHOICES WHEN CHOOSING A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THEIR CHILDREN
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released the first-ever federal consumer guide to assist parents in choosing a safe residential treatment program for their children. The guide was issued as part of FTC's investigation into the deceptive marketing practices of some residential treatment programs, which was requested by
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)

DBT Resources: Clinical Resource Directory:

National Respite Locator Service Search Results Page The following locations in Massachusetts are listed

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation:

Find a Geratric Psychiatrist

Therapycounseling.com offers a wide range of different counseling services over the phone. Register as a user, choose your counselor, and get your free 5 min. consultation.

American Residential Treatment Association, Member organizations of ARTA offer a variety of services and are able to respond to a wide range of needs. Members will be talk with you about their programs and how they might address your specific set of circumstances

Massachusetts Board of Registration; Physicians Profiles, Complaint Process, Tips for choosing a doctor, How to Obtain Vital Records, etc

COPA Directory: a directory of consumer-operated programs and activities in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health

MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES' NEW ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL RESILIENCY AND RECOVERY

Free Resource Available to Families, Mental Health Consumers and Providers. The e-Learning Center is a free resource that currently hosts 10 interactive "e-courses" in English and in Spanish, offering in-depth strategies and techniques for promoting resiliency and recovery. The e-courses include testimonials of personal experiences that provide motivation and each can be completed in 30- 45 minutes

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) has a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services (includes find a provider, list of emergency service providers)

BMC Healthnet Behavioral Health Services

Fallon Community Health Plan, Find a doctor (behavioral health)

Independent Living Centers of Massachusetts, Information and Referral, Skills Training and Peer Mentoring are the backbone of Direct Services

State Mental Health Resources for Massachusetts , Searchable Databases at the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the

U. S.

(SAMHSA)

Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, a “clubhouse” is a place where people who have mental illness come to rebuild and/or regain control of their social and economic lives

Social Worker Therapy Referral Service (a service of the Massachusetts Association of Social Workers), one-on-one and group therapy

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Social Worker

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Find a Psychologist, American Psychologist Association

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Psychologist:

Find a Psychiatrist and other resources, American Psychiatric Association

Find a Doctor, American Medical Association

Mass. Division of Professional Licensure, Search for a Licensed Professional, Mental Health Counselor

Find a counselor, American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)

Find a Therapist, on-line and phone counseling for anyone (individual, child, etc)

Find a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, use drop down menus to narrow search

Find a Dialectic Behavioral Therapist, click on the state

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Directory for Spanish-speaking and Culturally-informed Private Practice Referrals for Mental Health

Association of Black Psychologists, Psychologists listing for Massachusetts

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, the Office of Minority Health, Information and referral offers customized responses to telephone, e-mail and mail inquiries

Muslim Mental Health Professionals in the US & Canada, page down for the state:

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), people with mental health issues have can have hope, control over their lives, develop self-directed wellness plans, and recover, working toward meeting their own life dreams and goals:

Mental Health Magazines

2009-07-27T12:24:00.005-04:00

Esperanza - How to cope with anxiety and depression

Anchor: "Conquering Depression", magazine offers: motivating personal stories about people living with and overcoming depression; information-packed features about medication and treatment options; news and research developments; recommendations for healthy living; and strategies for coping with depressive disordersmagazine

SZ, Schizophrenia Magazine, ensures you have access to the latest news and information about schizophrenia, as well as inspirational stories about people affected by the disorder

bp is their magazine-filled with hope, inspiration, newsfeatures, and educational information on building a healthy lifestyle,including: stress reduction, exercise and sleep, treatments,relationships, and employment

Moods magazine is a publication provides educational information in layperson terms to the general public, educational institutions, and to the workplace. Moods emphasizes prevention through education, and supplies those living with a mood disorder (and illnesses that may be simultaneously present, such as addictions, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, etc.) with easy-to-read, useful information, while also diminishing the stigma attached to mental illness

Medications

2009-07-27T12:24:00.004-04:00

CVS is offering generic drugs at a discounted price, see details in link.
It is not an insurance plan. The program does require a ten dollar
membership fee. It may be useful for people with very limited insurance
coverage and people who are uninsured for various reasons.

NeedyMeds.org has information on medicine and healthcare assistance programs. They do not run a patient assistance program , and they do not supply medicine or financial assistance

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club:

Walmart $4 Prescriptions Program

The Target $4 Generic Drug Program

Hannaford Healthy Saver Plus

MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations

MassMedLine is a free, confidential service available to all Massachusetts residents who are seeking information regarding their medications. Whether you are having difficulties affording your medications or want to know
what the side effects are to your prescriptions, MassMedLine can help, 866-633-1617

General information about medications, at the NAMI website

Ask the Pharmacist, questions pharmacists are often asked and answered are periodically placed at the NAMI website

Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Index to Drug-Specific Information

MENTAL HEALTH and SUBSTANCE ABUSE PUBLICATIONS

FEDERAL GUIDE TO HELP PARENTS MAKE SAFE CHOICES WHEN CHOOSING A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THEIR CHILDREN
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released the first-ever federal consumer guide to assist parents in choosing a safe residential treatment program for their children. The guide was issued as part of FTC's investigation into the deceptive marketing practices of some residential treatment programs, which was requested by
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)

Rethink's Mental Health Shop, an online resource for mental health
publications, leaflets, booklets, DVDs and more

Family Guide: Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free

Healthyplace.com is the largest consumer mental health site on the net. We provide authoritative information and support to people with mental health concerns, along with their family members and other loved ones

Family Guide:Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free

Drug & alcohol abuse , treatment & prevention

The American Council for Drug Education is a substance abuse prevention
and education agency that develops programs and materials based on the
most current scientific research on drug use and its impact on society

Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title

Adult Books for Parents and Professionals in the Family Resource Center Behavioral Health Library NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital by title and author

New Harbinger Publications , research-based, user-friendly self-help books

National Institute on Drug Abuse , publications in English and Spanish

Chinese Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

Portuguese Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

Spanish Language Materials about Mental Illness (NAMI)

Choosing the Right Treatment - What Families Need to Know about Evidence-Based Practices (In Spanish)

National Institute of Mental Health, Publications

Federal Citizen Information Center, free government health publications, most available in Spanish

Selection of books, brochures, posters and other items at the NAMI store

Two guides designed to help patients, families, and physicians make informed decisions about obtaining and administering the most appropriate care for a child with ADHD or depression

SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is the Nation's one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment

SAMHSA's fact sheets and other materials for Children and Families about Children's and Adolescent Mental Health (most available in Spanish)

The Parents' How-To Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in Massachusetts, The Boston Bar Association, with support from Children's Hospital Boston, has developed the guide to Services in Massachusetts, which answers all of these questions and more. It takes you through the mental health system step by step, from deciding if your child needs care to getting specific services

NAMI NH Guidebook for Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disorders (downloadable for free or purchase a hardcopy)

National Association of School Psychologists, information for families (many in multiple languages

Health brochures and booklets sent directly to you, (most available in Spanish)

Patient-Family Guides that can be downloaded (PDF files)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Print Publications

FEMA for Kids: After the Disaster: A Children's Mental Health Checklist

Medical Services

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Massachusetts Community Health Centers (by town)

Massachusetts Hospitals

Directory of Massachusetts Hospitals and Medical Centers

Massachusetts Board of Registration; Physicians Profiles, Complaint Process, Tips for choosing a doctor, How to Obtain Vital Records, etc:

Find a Doctor, American Medical Association:

Find a Doctor, Dentist, or Hospital in Massachusetts :

Legal Resources

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Mass. Housing Courts by County: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/housingcourt/index.html#county Frequently Asked Questions prepared by the Mass. Housing Court for Tenant/Landlord Disputes including Mediation as an option

The Lawyers Clearinghouse provides pro bono legal services to nonprofit organizations, groups seeking nonprofit status, and guests of area homeless shelters . We offer lawyers meaningful and rewarding pro bono opportunities. We also provide educational programs for nonprofit organizations and lawyers

2008 edition of Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts . This handbook provides practical information about tenants' rights in private housing—housing that is owned by an individual or a privately owned company. In each chapter, reference is made to sample letters and court forms. To get these forms see the list below or go to Self Help Forms where these same forms are organized by topic. If you live in public housing , go to the Public Housing section. You may also purchase Legal Tactics from Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education by calling 1-800-966-6253

"Student Mental Health and the Law ", a new document from the JED Foundation, is a comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health. This guide provides clarification of FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ), disability law, and other legal issues colleges face, and includes guidelines for addressing campus mental health and working with students in distress

Campus Mental Health: Know Your Rights!

A guide for students who want to seek help for mental illness or emotional distress. Produced by the Leadership21 Committee of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Chapters include: You are Not Alone, Seeking Help, Privacy, Academic Accomaodations, Discipline, Involuntary Leave of Absence, Going to a Psychiatric Hospital, Forced Medication, Resources

Parenting & Child Custody Issues Toolkit for People with Behavioral Health Problems

The UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration has developed a free tool kit for parents with serious mental illnesses. Research indicates that mothers with serious mental illnesses are almost three times more likely than mothers without such illnesses to have been involved in the child welfare system or to have lost custody of their children. The tool kit helps parents who have lost custody or are at risk of losing custody of their children, helps parents in recovery from mental illnesses with parenting issues, and offers guidance for professionals as well. The tool
kit, "Helping Behavioral Health Clients with Parenting & Child Custody Issues,"

Mass. Trial Court Law Libraries, Forms etc. for granparent visitation, healthcare proxy, etc.

Dial-A-Lawyer, free legal advice is available on the first Wednesday of each month. Attorneys volunteer at the MBA's Boston headquarters by providing free, basic legal information by phone to callers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. , to assist anyone and everyone, but particularly those who are not eligible for free legal services or cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

To use Dial-A-Lawyer, call (617) 338-0610

Legal aid services throughout the state.

Know your rights, various brochures from the Mental Health Legal Advisory Committee (tenant rights, patient rights, DMH complaint process, etc.)

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

Center for Public Representation, dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Hotline in English and Spanish M-F 1:30-4:30pm , HIV related protections, Gay/Straight Alliances, transgender issues and helps with harassment

Volunteer Lawyers Project, handles cases in the Metro Boston area, mainly housing (including foreclosure or bankruptcy), family (divorce), consumer related, public benefits (primarily SSI), and wills and probate for the elderly

Law library online, reference library which provides some resources for legal help with mental health issues

American Bar Association, Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Massachusetts :

Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities

Committee for Public Counsel (CPC), Mental Health Litigation Unit, provide trial and appellate representation to indigent persons against whom are filed petitions seeking commitment to public or private psychiatric facilities or judicial authorization to administer or terminate certain types of treatment (e.g., antipsychotic medication, aversive behavior modification, life-support mechanisms). The CPC also trains, and is available to assist, criminal defense attorneys in respect to mental health issues that arise in the criminal justice context (e.g., competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility).

Committee for Public Counsel (CPC), Children and Family Law (CAFL) Program provides legal representation to children and indigent parents in child welfare matters, including care and protection proceedings, children in need of services cases (CHINS), actions to terminate parental rights, state agency-sponsored guardianships, and any other child custody proceeding where the Department of Social Services (DSS) is a party or where the court is considering granting custody to DSS. In Massachusetts , both children and indigent parents have a right to representation by counsel in child welfare cases

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston , non-profit organization soley focused on ending illegal housing discrimination in the greater Boston area, serving the communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk , Plymouth , and Suffolk counties

Find a lawyer in your area

FindLaw for the Public, thousands of articles and resources in scores of categories to help the public with a wide range of legal issues, from bankruptcy to landlord/tenant law to selecting a lawyer

The Youth Advocacy Project offers legal representation and advocacy to children under 17 years old who are charged as delinquents or youthful offenders. The Youth Advocacy Project provides these services at a number of stages. The Youth Advocacy Project can offer advice and consultation on general delinquency issues.

Minority Law Resources:

The CORI Reader, (38 page PDF prepared by Mass. Law Reform Institute)

Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

Mass. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Find a Lawyer:

Tenant's Rights: What Tenants in Forclosed Properties Need to Know:

LEGAL SERVICES to DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN :

Children's Law Center of Massachusetts, providing direct representation to low income children in Eastern Massachusetts, and technical assistance and training to lay and professional communities throughout New England on issues affecting children's education, civil rights, custody, health and welfare.

Massachusetts Advocates for Children, non-profit organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities

Commonwealth of Massachusetts – legislators, legislation, laws, committees, etc.

To find your election information, who are your state and federal legislators, how to register to vote, etc.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Kids and Teens

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Going to College, a resource for teens with disabilities

More than Sad: Teen Depression, video about 4 teens

Transitional Age Youth at Parent Information Network (TAYatPIN) is a program that provides educational and support services for parents and caregivers of youth, ages 14 to 25 years. Services and outreach to parents are provided through the facilitation of focus groups, parent support groups, and one-on-one support.

As the nation's leading organization working to reduce emotional distress
and prevent suicide among college students , The Jed Foundation is
protecting the mental health of students across the country.

American Social Health Association, learn about STD's

MPower:Musicians for Mental Health

Mental Illness: What a Difference a Friend makes

Half of Us:through Half of Us, mtvU and The Jed Foundation want to
initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of
mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate
resources to get help:

Ulifeline, your online resource for college mental health:

NIDA for teens, The Science Behind Drug Abuse :

Facts on Tap

National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse of the National Institute
of Health :

The Higher Education Support Toolkit, developed by the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation , provides disability service staff and health care staff with a simple way to work with students who are experiencing challenges arising from their psychiatric disability. The toolkit is available as a free download at the Center's website.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters' mission is to enable high-risk, runaway and homeless youth to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood through prevention, intervention, and education services. Serving youth ages 14 – 24 each year, Bridge offers a comprehensive range of health, educational, career and housing services. Bridge is the only agency in the Boston area to provide a continuum of age-appropriate services.

Depressedteens.com , an educational site dedicated to helping teenagers and their parents and educators understand the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and provide
resources for those ready to reach out and get the help they need

Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title

b) Under Mental Health and Substance Abuse Publications : Children's Books by mental health issue/challenge, author and title

Adult Books for Parents and Professionals in the Family Resource Center Behavioral Health Library NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital by title and author

NAMI Child & Adolescent Center

Friendships Count is the second anti-stigma public service campaign aimed at teens.

Watch the video
To find local resources, check out links offered by the Mental Heath Connection of Tarrant County

Active Minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses, find a chapter at a college campus you're attending or going to attend

Hip Hop Mental Health is doing innovative work around mental health from social justice and cultural perspectives. A video excerpt of their hip hop theater piece "LOW", news about what they have been doing lately and their mission

Young Adult Services at South Shore Mental Health

Copecaredeal.org, a mental health site for teens, focuses on coping skills and healthy living

KidsHealth has separate areas for kids , teens , and parents — each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are literally thousands of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources — all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens

Girlshealth.gov, this website focuses on health topics that girls are concerned about and helps motivate them to choose healthy behaviors by using positive, supportive, and non-threatening messages.

MedlinePlus:Teen Mental Health

Itsallright is an Australian website where you can read the diaries of four fictional teenagers touched by mental illness. It also has useful factsheets on mental illness including schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders.

Depressed Teens: an educational site dedicated to helping teenagers and their parents and educators understand the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and provide resources for those ready to reach out and get the help they need

Insurance

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These resources may help you make better insurance-related decisions.

The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial futures. The main topics addressed in their educational efforts are life, disability, long-term care, and health insurance. LIFE does not endorse any product, company, or insurance advisor.

Mass. Division of Insurance, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Information for Consumers – consumer guides about various types of insurance policies.

InsureMASS Insurance Premium Comparison Website, Auto Insurance Rate Comparison Tool. This site produces sample insurance premiums for typical drivers with various backgrounds and levels of experience. Your actual premium may differ significantly from the sample based on specific information that you will provide to a company when you apply for insurance.

Identity Theft

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The Federal Trade Commission's Identify Theft site helps teach consumers how to avoid identity theft – and learn what to do if their identity is stolen.

The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General's Identify Theft site is similar to the FTC's website and the AG offers a Guide to ID Theft for Victims and Consumers.

Three credit bureaus hold the key to your credit.

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

Annual Credit Report is the site set up by the big three credit reporting agencies in the United States to furnish one (1) free annual credit report from each agency, as required by federal law.

Instead of getting all three free reports at once, it's a good idea to get one free credit report every four (4) months from a different bureau. This way, you can see your credit picture throughout the year and keep better track of your credit.

Lawrence (MA) Farmers' Market

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When:
Every Wednesday, July 8th to October 28th, 8am to 2pm

Where:
Appleton Way, Between Essex and Common Streets

Why:
To pick up the freshest fruits and veggies around and support your local farmer!

Note: If you know of other Farmers' Markets in your area (Metro North and Greater Boston area), let us know and we'll post them. Also, remember that Local Harvest will lead you to these resources in your area (anywhere in the US).