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MENTAL HEALTH PARITY EXPANDED:

A new Massachusetts law, effective July 1, 2009, adds four new conditions (eating disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, autism) to the list of “biologically-based" mental disorders that must be covered to the same extent as physical illnesses.

The law still only applies to plans which are regulated by Massachusetts mandated benefit laws. Details can be found at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) website http://www.mass.gov/mhlac/

The Parents' How-to Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in Massachusetts

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Massachusetts (NAMIMass)

www.namimass.org

 1-781-938-4048.

Support Groups (NAMIMass) for Caretakers of Family Members with Mental Health Challenges

City                                      Affiliate Name                                 Contact                 

Agawam                              NAMI Western MA                         (413)786-9139     

Attleboro                            NAMI Attleboro                              (508) 838-0779    

Ayer                                     NAMI Central Mid                          (978) 772-0402    

Boston                                NAMI Greater Boston                     (781) 642-0368                   (617)305-9975     

Brockton                             NAMI Latino Metro Boston            (617)421-0056     

Cambridge                          NAMI Cambridge/Middlesex          (617)984-0527     

Fall River                             NAMI Greater Fall River                  (508)678-2584     

Fitchburg                            NAMI North Central MA                  (978)772-4243     

Framingham                       NAMI Greater Framingham             (508)272-9061     

Gloucester                         NAMI Cape Ann                                (978)281-1557     

Hyannis                              NAMI Cape Cod                                (508)778-4277     

Marshfield                         NAMI Plymouth                                (781)293-3985     

Milton                                NAMI Dorch/Matt/Rox b                 (617)696-8898     

Needham Heights              NAMI Newton/Wellesley                (781)444-0750     

Newburyport                     NAMI Northeast Essex                    (978)462-2471     

Norwell                              NAMI Coastal                                   (781) 878-4400    

Norwood                           NAMI South Norfolk                        (508)668-2941     

Pittsfield                            NAMI Berkshire County                  (413)443-1666     

Quincy                               NAMI South Shore                           (617)773-7440     

Raynham                           NAMI Taunton                                 (774)218-5830     

Swampscott                      NAMI Greater North Shore             (781) 581-3981    

Tyngsboro                         NAMI Greater Lowell                      (978)677-0618     

Woburn                             NAMI Greater Lawrence                 (781)938-4048     

Worcester                         NAMI Central MA                            (508)368-3562     

Massachusetts General Hospital

Mood and Anxiety Resource Center/MADI

www.schoolpsychiatry.org

Family Ties of Massachusetts:

www.massfamilyties.org

Family Voices:

www.familyvoices.org

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health:

www.mamh.org

Parent / Professional Advocacy:

League (PAL):

617-542-786

www.ppal.net

PAL's Parent Resource Network (PRN) Line: provides information regarding child and adolescentmental health issues; staffed by trained family advocates-1-866-815-8122

Parental Stress Line:

24-hour hotline:

1-800-632-8188

Parents Helping Parents:

1-800-882-1250 or

www.parentshelpingparents.org

United Way Parent Line: 1-800-231-4377  

The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF): 617-778-1934

www.depressedteens.com

www.bpkids.org

Mental Health Research Association

www.narsad.org

www.bazelon.org

www.theguide@bostonbar.org