New Statewide Toll Free Number for
Emergency Psychiatric Calls
As of June 1st, there is important news for health care consumers in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) has set up a new statewide toll free number for those with MassHealth, Medicare or who are uninsured to call when a family member or consumer has a psychiatric emergency (mental health or substance abuse related). Call the Statewide Emergency Services Program (ESP)/ Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) Toll Free number: 877-382-1609. Enter your zip code to get the toll free number for your local ESP/MCI program.
A recent report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI Mass) recommended that the state create this statewide toll free number to help connect individuals in psychiatric crisis with ESPs in their area.
What are ESPs? Each ESP is a community-based, recovery-oriented program that provides 24/7 behavioral health services for individuals with psychiatric illness who are in crisis. ESPs are meant to be a better alternative to calling 911 or going to a hospital emergency room for individuals in a psychiatric crisis when a hospital emergency room may not be medically necessary.
There are 21 ESP areas in the state that cover every city and town in Massachusetts and offer assessment, intervention, and stabilization services in a psychiatric emergency. The redesigned Emergency Services Program (ESP) went into effect on June 30, 2009 and has changed the way ESP services are provided. The services include:
- Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) for youth: For MassHealth-enrolled youth up to 21,this service mobilizes to the home or other site where a youth is located. Service is provided 24/7/365 at all locations.
- Mobile crisis intervention services for adults: Provides ESP services to adults, ages 21+ in their homes, residential programs, etc. Service is provided:
- From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., adult mobile services will be available at all locations.
- From 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., this service is available in residential programs and EDs.
- Some ESPs may provide additional hours for adult mobile services to all locations.
- ESP community-based locations: These locations are operated by the ESP, outside an ED, where ESP services are provided for all ages. Operating hours for each location can be found in the ESP Directory at www.masspartnership.com.
- Community Crisis Stabilization: This service provides a staff-secure, less restrictive and voluntary alternative to a psychiatric hospital, for ages 18+. Service is 24/7/365.
See the original memo for ESP listings by town.
-From “New Statewide Toll Free Number for Emergency Psychiatric Calls”, A Healthy Blog, Health Care for All, Posted on July 9, 2010 , http://blog.hcfama.org/2010/07/09/new-statewide-toll-free-number-for-emergency-psychiatric-calls/, retrieved 7/9/10.
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