Getting Help

How can I help a loved one who is depressed?

If you know someone who has depression, first help him find a doctor or mental health professional and make an appointment.

• Offer him support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
• Talk to him, and listen carefully.
• Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to his therapist or doctor.
• Invite him out for walks, outings and other activities.
• If he says no, keep trying, but don’t push him to take on too much too soon.
• Encourage him to report any concerns about medications to his health care provider.
• Ensure that he gets to his doctor’s appointments.
• Remind him that with time and treatment, the depression will lift.

How can I help myself if I am depressed?

As you continue treatment, gradually you will start to feel better. Remember that if you are taking an antidepressant, it may take several weeks for it to start working. Go easy on yourself. Other things that may help include:

• Reach out to a loved one , relative, or close friend and talk to them about your feelings
• Contact a minister, spiritual leader of someone in your faith community
• Make an appointment with your doctor, other health care provider or mental health provider as soon as possible. Research shows that getting treatment sooner rather than later can relieve symptoms quicker and reduce the length of time treatment is needed.
• Break up large tasks into small ones, and do what you can as you can. Don’t try to do too many things at once.
• Do not make important decisions until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well.
• Live a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy and exercise.
• Engage in activities you enjoy.
• Contact a suicide crisis center hotline.

What if I or someone I know is in crisis?

Men with depression are at risk for suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, get help quickly.

• Call your doctor.
• Call 911 for emergency services.
• Go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
• TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889).

Where can I go for help?

If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. Hospital doctors can help in an emergency. In addition, these organizations provide more resources and help for people who are thinking about suicide.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call us 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• If you are a veteran or part of a veterans family, please call the National Suicide Prevention Life line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1.
• *Options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Click here

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention

National Institute of Mental Health
1-866-227-6464
TTY: 1 301 443 8431
[email protected]

National Alliance on Mental Illness
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
[email protected]

Riverside Trauma Center
1-888-851-2451

Samaritans Statewide
1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
[email protected]

Samariteens
1-800-252-8336

The Trevor Project (gay, bisexual, transgender youth and young adults)
1-866-488-7386
Text: Text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200. Standard text message rates apply.
[email protected]

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Behavioral Health Equity Resources

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this webpage provides data on health disparities and healthcare quality among diverse populations and information for improving health literacy, policy, and cultural/linguistic competency.

BIPOC Mental Health

This webpage by Mental Health America provides mental health resources for BIPOC.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

View resources about minority mental health and health disparities from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, including sharable graphics in English and Spanish.

55 Mental Health Resources for People of Color

Posted by the Online Master of Social Work Programs, this article aggregates resources that are tailored to the mental health needs of different racial and ethnic groups.

Statewide Emergency Services
1-877-382-1609
Enter your zip code to get the toll free phone number for your local ESP provider OR Dial 911 and tell them they will be dealing with a person with a mental illness in crisis.

Community Health Link
1-800-977-5555

Heywood Hospital
978-632-3420

• Heywood Hospital Partial Program: 978-630-6826
• Heywood Hospital Men’s Program: 978-630-6455

Health Alliance Hospital (Leominster)
978-466-2000 or 978-466-2660 (to schedule an appointment)

Community Health Connections

Gardner Community Health Center
978-410-6100 or 978-410-6131 (Behavioral Health)

Leominster Community Health Center
978-847-0110 or 978-847-0110 (Behavioral Health)

Fitchburg Community Health Center
978-878-8100 or 978-878-8440 (Behavioral Health)

Winchendon Health Center
978-297-2311

Heywood Medical Group
978-632-3420

For Veteran's- www.veteranscrisisline.net

For Youth- www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Bullying- www.stopbullying.gov

https://www.facebook.com/masspreventssuicide/

We are quite excited to add ManTherapy.org to our list of resources and tools to help combat suicide.