Acute Psychiatry Service

The Acute Psychiatry Service (APS) in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital has provided consultation to emergency patients since the 1950s. Our service is equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies around the clock and we typically see more than 6,000 patients a year.

Our main objective is to assess and stabilize the individual and then refer him or her for appropriate follow-up treatment, either within Mass General Brigham or elsewhere.

The APS is staffed by attending psychiatrists with expertise that includes addiction treatment, child psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. Our multidisciplinary team also includes other professionals who help assess and determine the best treatment plan for each patient:

• Psychiatric residents
• Psychology interns
• Nurse practitioners
• Child & adolescent psychiatry fellows
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Social workers
• Security personnel

Treatment at the Acute Psychiatry Service

Please be aware that we are unable to provide treatment by phone or by appointment. All care takes place face-to-face within the Emergency Department at Mass General.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of emergency patients at Mass General, we encourage you to access other resources if you do not need emergency psychiatric care. Learn more about clinical care and check your eligibility.

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs)

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are local centers that provide a wide range of mental health and substance use services and treatment. The statewide network of CBHCs includes more than 25 centers across Massachusetts that offer immediate, confidential care for mental health and substance use needs.

Crisis services are available around the clock for anyone in Massachusetts who feels they may be experiencing a mental health crisis. This 24/7 in-person crisis support can be used by anyone in Massachusetts, whether or not they have health insurance. In addition, CBHCs also offer day-to-day mental health and substance use services which are covered by all MassHealth plans and some commercial insurance plans.

Find your nearest center

Types of Care

Crisis Services are always available for anyone in Massachusetts in need of immediate mental health or substance use help.

• Teams of trained mental health professionals can work with you at a CBHC or travel to an external location more comfortable for you.
• An experienced clinician will provide a thorough assessment, offer immediate assistance, and work with you to make a plan to move forward.
• Anyone can use crisis services at any time, no insurance is needed.

Learn more about crisis services

Outpatient Clinics offer a full range of comprehensive and coordinated mental health and substance use services.

• Extended Hours: Open 8AM – 8PM every weekday and 9AM – 5PM on weekends.
• Flexible Care: Care offered both in-person and virtually.
• Services Include: Immediate mental health and substance use evaluation, individual and group therapy, psychiatric medication consultations, peer support services, medication for addiction treatment, referrals to treatment, and more.
• Covered By: All MassHealth plans and many commercial plans (check with your insurer for specific coverage).

Community Crisis Stabilization is a less restrictive alternative to inpatient hospitalization for people in need of short-term, overnight crisis care.

• Positive Environment: Home-like, friendly, and comfortable environments offer a feeling of community while maintaining a safe and secure setting.
• Services Include: individual, group, and family therapy; medication management; crisis intervention; future crisis prevention planning.
• Covered By: All MassHealth plans and many commercial plans (check with insurer).

Learn more about CCS

Visit a CBHC

All Community Behavioral Health Centers are open daily for walk-ins, routine appointments, and crisis care.

All crisis services offered by CBHCs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including holidays). CBHCs’ routine outpatient services are available from 8AM-8PM on weekdays and 9AM-5PM on weekends. Every CBHC offers treatment both in-person and via telehealth.

Find your nearest center

Behavioral Health Help Line

Community Behavioral Health Centers are closely connected to the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line. The Behavioral Health Help Line is a 24/7 clinical hotline staffed by trained behavioral health providers and peer coaches who offer clinical assessment, treatment referrals, and crisis triage services. When appropriate, Help Line staff directly connect callers with their nearest CBHC and perform a warm handoff.

The Help Line is available in more than 200 languages, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Call or Text: 833-773-2445

Web Chat: masshelpline.com

Education & Research Efforts

As part of one of the country's premier academic psychiatry departments, the APS is committed to excellence in clinical care, education and research.

We serve as one of the key training sites for the Mass General-McLean Psychiatry Residency Program. In addition, students from Harvard Medical School and beyond undertake their advanced rotations here, so patients are evaluated by world-class attending psychiatrists, along with the best and brightest from the next generation in the field.

Resources

Community Behavioral Health Centers: Find your nearest center

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Hotline: 800-327-5050

Online Resources

• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
• Patient & Family Resource Center at Mass General
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)