Youth Resources

Please note: this section of the website is a work in progress as we recognize the growing need to connect youth to viable resources. If you have suggestions, please click on the “Contact Us” button and send your resources along.

A mental health challenge is a significant shift in how a person is feeling and thinking for a period of time and interferes with daily activities including withdrawal from family, friends, and interests. For youth and young adults, navigating life changes are already difficult and communicating these thoughts with parents, teachers, or a professional can be extremely daunting. Please know that there is support out there for you.

For 24/7 MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS SUPPORT you can reach out to the following:

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for LGBTQ+ Suicide Hotline: 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

Eliot Mobile Crisis: 888-769-5201 or Lahey crisis support: 877-255-1261

MA Substance Use Helpline: 800-327-5050 or text HOPE to 800327

MA Behavioral Health Helpline: call or text 833-773-2445 or webchat at: www.masshelpline.com

Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHC, provide alternatives to hospital emergency room visits. When appropriate, your local CBHC will dispatch a team of mental health professionals to your home (or location in the community) for a crisis intervention and needs assessment. CBHC’s offer a variety of resources for mental health and/or substance use services and treatment. To find your nearest CBHC, call: 877-382-1609 and enter your zip code at the prompt or go to: www.mass.gov/info-details/find-your-cbhc

ECO has partnered with Children’s Friend & Family Services (CFFS). We recognize that witnessing substance use/overdose and/or living in a home where substances are used, puts youth at a higher risk for their own substance use disorder. We strongly believe that education and early prevention can help youth develop the coping skills needed to help avoid their own challenges with substances. There are four CFFS outpatient locations within Essex County that assist families and youth with wraparound services and therapy in either an in-home, clinical, school, or other community location depending on the need.

Services are offered at each location:

Gloucester (Blackburn Center 3&4): 978-283-7198 Lawrence (15 Union St.): 781-825-3859

Lynn (112 Market St. 2nd Flr): 781-825-3986 Salem (110 Boston St.): 978-744-7905