Peer Support

Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), many in-person peer and family support options have been temporarily suspended.

Read our post about online and call-in support options that you can access during this time.

NAMI Connection is a free support group for people living with a mental health condition. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators and provide a safe, private, and non-judgmental setting.

• Find a Connection Support Group

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free eight-week program designed to empower participants to take the next steps in their recovery process. Participants explore coping skills, goal setting, whole health, and establishing relationships.

• Find a Peer-to-Peer class

Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs) are groups of people who have come together to support one another. They are open to people who have a mental health diagnosis, have experienced trauma or extreme emotional states, and others who would like to get support there. They offer peer support groups, one on one support, and more. Their support is free, and insurance is not needed.

• Find a Recovery Learning Community (opens in new window)

The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers support groups for people diagnosed with mood disorders, and others impacted by it. They offer online peer support groups, as well as in-person groups around Massachusetts.

• Find a DBSA support group (opens in new window)

Hearing Voices support groups for people who hear voices, see visions, or negotiate alternative realities. They offer an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support. Groups meet in person around the state, as well as online.

• Find a Hearing Voices Support Group (opens in new window)

Alternatives to Suicide support groups run by and for people who have had past suicide attempts or who have thoughts about suicide. During groups, people share their successes and their challenges, provide support for one another and strategize and share ideas for coping with difficult life circumstances.

• Find a Alternatives to Suicide support group (opens in a new window)

Warmlines are numbers that people can call to get support when they are feeling lonely, anxious, sad, etc., or simply need someone to talk to. They can also provide resources to callers.

• Peer Support Line (opens in new window)
  877-733-7563
• Western Mass Peer Support Line (opens in new window)
  888-407-4515

eer-based crisis alternative programs are a support option for people dealing with a crisis, or to help prevent times of crisis.

• Afiya in Northampton (opens in a new window)
  Afiya is a peer respite program for people who is experiencing distress and feels they would benefit from being in a short-term, peer-supported environment. Afiya is hosted by the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community.
• Peer to Peer Program in Quincy (opens in a new window)
  Aspire Health Alliance hosts the Peer to Peer Program in Quincy. Housed within their crisis team, it offers short-term support to people in times of crisis as well as after.
• The Living Room in Framingham (opens in a new window)
  The Living Room is a short-term peer-run diversion program that provides support to people in times of crisis. The Living Room in Framingham is hosted by Advocates, Inc..
• The Living Room in Springfield (opens in a new window)
  The Living Room is a short-term peer-run diversion program that provides support to people in times of crisis. The Living Room in Springfield is hosted by Behavioral Health Network.
• The Living Room in Greenfield (opens in a new window)
  The Living Room is a short-term peer-run diversion program that provides support to people in times of crisis. The Living Room in Greenfield is hosted by Behavioral Health Network.