Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (L.O.S.S)
The Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (L.O.S.S) is a community of loss survivors who learn from and support one another. Trained volunteers, all of whom who are survivors provide resources and understanding to the newly bereaved. LOSS offers support groups, remembrance events, companioning, suicide postvention and prevention education and training to communities interested in developing or enhancing their suicide prevention efforts. Call: 614-530-8064
BHJI is a statewide initiative to connect individuals who are criminally justice involved with behavioral health services and social supports in the community. Specifically, people leaving jail or prison within 6 months, people who have recently left jail or prison within a year, people on parole, and people on probation who have health, mental health, substance use, and social needs. Individuals work with navigators to find health care services and social supports best suited for their needs. To learn more about the program watch the short video posted here or visit the website: MassHealth Behavioral Health Supports for Justice Involved Individuals.
Advocates BHJI Referral Form (Middlesex & Essex)
All other referral Forms to be considered for the program can be found here
Blue Envelope Program
The Blue Envelope Program is a Massachusetts Statewide collaborative initiative aimed at fostering a safer and more understanding environment for drivers with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. It involves a specially designed envelope that holds a driver's essential documents—license, registration, and a contact card. The envelope features critical communication guidelines on its exterior, specifically tailored to assist law enforcement officers in recognizing and adapting their approach when interacting with a driver who has autism. The initiative addresses several key objectives including: enhancing understanding, reducing anxiety, streamlining communication, and encouraging preparedness.
This program emerged from a partnership between the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Massachusetts State Police, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, and The Arc of Massachusetts, alongside input from individuals with autism and their families. To learn more about it visit: Blue Envelope Program
HeartMath
HeartMath is science based technology proven to help reduce stress and anxiety by increasing your inner balance and security. They have made their HeartMath experience available to everyone for free!
“Experience a magnificent intelligence you have that is intuitive, gives rise to regenerative emotional qualities, and provides the self-security needed to live a more rewarding life with less stress. An inspiring experiential course that offers new insights and practical techniques to help you respond to day-to-day challenges with more ease and composure.” Visit heartmath.com to learn more about the science and benefits behind HeartMath.
Practicing Mindfulness techniques is another great way to positively and actively manage the many emotions that you’re experiencing during these complex times. Mindfulness is an evidenced based intervention proven to build resilience and capacity to improve optimal performance and stress management. Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Center For Mindfulness and Compassion offers online mindfulness based groups.
The Wellness Society, a transdiagnostic approach to integrative, practical mental health and wellbeing tools, also offers a wide array of free tools available. Check out their website and resources here - The Wellness Society.
Mindfulness Handouts
NAMI Mass Compass is operated by peers and family members who have dealt with mental health first hand. They are available to answer questions and provide references to additional supports
NAMI is an advocacy group representing people who are affected by Mental Illness across the country. They can be reached Monday through Friday 9 AM - 5 PM at 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085. Leave a message with your name, telephone number, and why you called. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Check out helpful links from the Massachusetts Chapter below.
GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation
G.A.I.N.S. is an acronym for Gather, Assess, Integrate, Network, and Stimulate: The Center works with individuals in the criminal justice system and organizations at all levels (local, state, regional, and national). They provide information and skills training to assist in implementing effective, integrated programming that will transform the criminal justice and behavioral health systems.
The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI) provides support and resources to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery.
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
This Justice Reform Initiative works to reduce detention rates of low-risk youth, identify opportunity to reduce lengths of stay in Detention through Case Processing Reforms, reduce racial and ethnic disparities and finally replicate JDAI with fidelity at the local level.
Problem Oriented Policing: Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy
An idea that stemmed from Herman Goldstein in 1979 and was later refined by Eck and Spelman’s SARA model, Problem-Oriented Policing is an approach that encourages law enforcement to examine the underlying problems rather than focusing on individual incidents. With the realization that police are dealing with not only criminal calls but also having regular interaction with individuals impacted by behavioral health, a shift in strategy was required. Problem Oriented Policing is a five step model that accommodates the changing population police are encountering: identify and prioritize recurring problems, analyze problems using a variety of data sources, design response strategies based on what was learned from analyzing the problem, implement response strategies, and asses the success of response strategies.