How to Get Mental Health Care for Your Child

Your child may benefit from additional mental health evaluation and treatment. Learn about different mental health resources in your community. If you have questions about your child’s mental health or mental health resources, please ask the care team.

Ideas for mental health care

• Ask your child’s pediatrician for a referral to a mental health provider.
• Ask your child’s pediatrician to consult with the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for advice and referrals. MCPAP helps primary care providers and their practices promote and manage the mental and behavioral health of their pediatric patients. Teams are available to consult with pediatricians, behavioral/mental health providers who work in primary care offices and other members of your child’s care team. Learn more about MCPAP.
• If you have health insurance, call your health insurance provider to ask for a list of pediatric mental health providers in your network and how to get an appointment. A provider is in-network if they accept your health insurance.
• Check if the INTERFACE referral service at William James College is available in your town. INTERFACE is a free, confidential mental health and wellness referral hotline available to participating communities. Callers from participating communities are matched with licensed mental health care providers throughout Massachusetts, based on location, insurance and specialty needs.
• Call the Department of Mental Health Behavioral Access Line at 211 or 888-502-2425. The Behavioral Access Line is a referral hotline for mental health services.
• In a crisis or emergency
  • Call 911
  • Visit your closest hospital emergency room (also called emergency department)
  • Call the Emergency Service Program/Mobile Crisis Intervention Service (ESP/MCI) from the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership at 877-382-1609 (available at any time). You will be connected to the closest ESP/MCI location that serves your community. ESP/MCI is a good option if you don’t want to visit or cannot get to an emergency room right away.

Rev. 7/2022. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treat any medical conditions. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any brands listed in this handout.