Mental Health and Support Resources

Resources from Harvard Longwood Campus and the Harvard Chan School:

Harvard’s EAP provider, KGA, provides free and confidential access to counseling via chat, phone or email. Please visit their website for more information or call at 1-877-327-4278.
^{NOTE: The KGA benefit is available to both paid/employee and unpaid/stipendee postdocs. If you have questions regarding access, please contact facultyaffairs@hsph.harvard.edu.}

- KGA Mental Health Solutions:
  - - ^{Immediate counseling availability. Speak with a KGA Counselor for short-term support 24/7.}
    - ^{Expanded counseling network. We locate in-network providers with availability for you.}
    - ^{Diverse counseling network. We have added hundreds of counselors to our network who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or disabled.}
    - ^{National partners. BetterHelp and Talkspace provide expanded options and message-based counseling.}
    - ^{Group support. HeyPeers is a video-based peer support program for topics such as anxiety, depression, partner issues, substance misuse, and more.}
    - ^{Wellness Calendar. Live webinar and online resources each month.}
    - ^{Mental Health Self-Assessments. Anonymous questionnaires can assist in understanding how and when you should reach out to KGA.}
    - ^{Wellness resources. Topics cover numerous areas of daily life to increase resiliency.}
- Ease of access – You and your household members can access KGA services 24/7 by:
  - - ^{Telephone (800-648-9557)}
    - ^{KGA LifeServices Platform to self-schedule, text/chat, and email.}
    - ^{KGA Mobile app for access anywhere at any time (available in the Apple or Google Play stores).}
- Confidentiality – Information regarding your use of KGA services will NOT be released to your employer or anyone else without your consent. This includes all personal identifying information and information about the KGA services you have accessed via text or online.

The HMS/HSDM/HSPH Ombuds Office is available to support people during times of crisis:

- Melissa Brodrick, Ombudsperson – Phone: 617-432-4040/Email: melissa_brodrick@hms.harvard.edu
- Or appointments can be made through Robin Cheung, Program Administrator – Phone: 617-432-4041/Email: robin_cheung@hms.harvard.edu

Additional Immediate Assistance:

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL)
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call or text 833-773-2445
  - Live chat available at: https://www.masshelpline.com/
  - Free and confidential
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly know as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call or text 988
  - Free and confidential
  - To learn about what happens when you call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, click here.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call 800-662-4357
  - Free and confidential
Crisis Text Line
- Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free crisis support via text message.
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Text “HOME” to 741-741
  - Free and confidential
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Trained expert advocates are available to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information.
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
  - Free and confidential
  - Help is available in Spanish and other languages.
RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)
- Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services.
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
  - Free and confidential
  - Crisis chat support is available at Online Hotline.
The Trevor Project
- Supporting LGBTQ young people during times of crisis by providing access to crisis counselors.
- 24/7 support is available (including holidays)
  - Call 866-488-7386
  - Text “START” to 678-678
  - Free and confidential
  - Crisis chat support is available at Crisis Chat.

Finding a Mental Health Support and Providers

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Help or support is available Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET
  - Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
  - Text “HelpLine” to 62640
  - Email helpline@nami.org
Mental Health Support in Massachusetts
- Online resource that provides a comprehensive, searchable directory to help Massachusetts residents find information on behavioral health services and treatment in their communities.
NAMI Compass
- COMPASS is the information and referral helpline at NAMI Massachusetts.
- Available Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  - Call the helpline at 617-704-6264 or 1-800-370-9085
  - Email compass@namimass.org
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
- The only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services
  - Call the helpline at 1-800-327-5050
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. Helpline services are free and confidential.
  - Call the helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
- The only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services
  - Call the helpline at 1-800-327-5050

Resources from Harvard University’s Nock Lab:

Resources – https://nocklab.fas.harvard.edu/resources
Crisis Management – https://nocklab.fas.harvard.edu/crisis
Tasks and Measures – https://nocklab.fas.harvard.edu/tasks
Professional Organizations – https://nocklab.fas.harvard.edu/organizations

Resources from the Harvard Divinity School:

Harvard Chaplains

Harvard Chaplains is the umbrella organization of 38 chaplains representing 26 of the world’s traditions, united in their commitment to serving Harvard’s diverse student communities.

The sites below are maintained by organizations external to Harvard University; their inclusion here does not necessarily imply endorsement by the University.

External Support Groups and Articles:

Mount Auburn Hospital Bereavement Support Groups

Mount Auburn Hospital offers three eight-week-long bereavement support groups series a year. Each series will meet for eight Wednesday evenings, 6–7:30 pm in the Clough Conference Room.

Any adult who has experienced the death of someone close is welcomed. Participants have experienced the death of a spouse or partner, child, sibling, friend, or other relative. Contact
Beth Loomis, director of pastoral care, at eloomis@mah.harvard.edu or 617.575.8606.

Samaritans
– “Supporting Those at Risk for Suicide” (2021 Presentation)

Massachusetts Support

Fenway Health Support Groups

DFCI Articles
– Strategies and Tips for Grieving
– Bereavement Guide

Online Resources
– On Point, WBUR: How We Grieve January 2, 2015 (episode)
– Actively Moving Forward(AMF): College students supporting one another in grieving the illness or death of a loved one
– Griefshare.org: A website that provides listings of local grief support groups
– The Dougy Center: The national center for grieving children and families
– Center for Loss and Life Transition: Articles and book excerpts
– Hold the Door for Others: A detailed PDF workbook on “Finding Your Way Through Loss and Sudden Adversity”
– Help Guide: Coping with Grief and Loss
– Hampshire College’s Grief Resources Bibliography(PDF): Extensive bibliography of books organized by subtopic and audience
– Six Tips for Dealing with Grief and Loss in Recovery
– HealGrief
– ModernLoss
– The Grieving Person’s Bill of Rights
– Helping Children to Cope with Grief
– Emotional Healing After a Miscarriage
– Grief.com
– COVID Grief Network for Young Adults (20’s and 30’s)
– The Dinner Party: 20’s and 30’s
– Compassionate Friends: Death of a Child