Mental health awareness and care has changed dramatically since the 19th century when state institutions were first created to treat mental illnesses in Massachusetts. Some local institutions, such as the Northampton State Hospital and the Worcester State Hospital, were built and operated according to what is known as the Kirkbride plan, which prescribed moral and humane treatment in buildings with staggered halls that resembled wings and plenty of access to sunlight, air ventilation, nature, and comfort. While these factors proved to be beneficial, overcrowding and a lack of staff and resources led to the failure and abandonment of Kirkbride institutions as well as institutions constructed and run under other treatment plans. With deinstitutionalization in the 1960s, the buildings that became synonymous with both the successes and shortcomings of the state mental health hospitals were left to deteriorate.
Today, mental health care facilities and resources in Massachusetts are more varied and inclusive of community members and their mental health needs. Look below for some historic and modern images of mental health care facilities in Massachusetts, and for important mental health resources in our community.
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Resources:
Network of Care Massachusetts – a directory of more than 5,000 mental health, substance use, and related social services programs and organizations searchable by keyword and zip code and available in more than 100 languages
413cares – compiled information on community resources
Look4Help – public resource directory – a program of Community Action Pioneer Valley
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (24/7)
BHN The Carson Center: 77 Mill St., Springfield, 413-568-6141
Behavioral Health Emergency, 413-568-6386 (24/7)
Samaritans – 877-870-4673 (24/7)
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741-741 (24/7)
Trans Lifeline – 877-565-8860 (24/7) crisis counseling and suicide prevention for the transgender and gender non-conforming community
Trevor Lifeline – 866-488-7386 (24/7) offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth
National Alliance on Mental Illness: Offers events and resources for annual mental illness awareness month
*Header Image: “Worcester State Mental Hospital – Worcester, MA” by Mike Deslauriers is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.
