As a parent, you know how challenging these past few school years have been for your teen. The rates of depression, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts are on the rise. Any expressed mental health issues need to be taken seriously. It’s a lot to handle, but you are not alone.

Lookout for Warning Signs
Is your teen struggling to open up? When they do, are they expressing negative thoughts or saying harsh things about themselves? Have their eating and sleeping habits changed? If so, actively listen to what your teen is saying, observe their demeanor carefully, and avoid statements and actions that may make them feel guilty for their thoughts and behaviors.

Most importantly, don't hesitate to reach out in a mental health emergency. The following services are here to support you and your teen:

 

SCHOOL DAY EMERGENCY
If your teen notifies you directly of a mental health emergency during the school day, contact their school counselor immediately. If they can't be reached, call 508-529-7758  x3013 or Yvette Martin, our Director of Student Support Services, at 508-529-7758  x3117. A staff member will escort your teen to our office to work with their counselor and coordinate an appropriate treatment plan with you.
 
 
OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL DAY EMERGENCY
If your teen has a mental health emergency outside the school day, you should contact Emergency Services (911) directly, as our staff may not receive communications immediately. In addition to 911, the following emergency services are available for support:

• Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention at Riverside Community Care
  The Mobile Crisis Intervention team provides services to teens who experience a behavioral health crisis with a mobile, face-to-face response. They can meet you and your teen at one of their three community-based locations or at home, school, and other locations with the goal of avoiding a hospital emergency room visit and unnecessary hospitalizations. 
  
  Call 508-634-3420 if you are a resident of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge.
   
• Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention at Community Healthlink
  YMCI's trained professionals will provide on-site evaluation and crisis intervention services at home, school, residential programs, community settings, and Emergency Departments at local hospitals. 
  
  Call 866-549-2142 if you are a Grafton or Millbury resident.    
   
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a suicide prevention program that links callers to a certified crisis center nearest their location. Crisis centers networked under this three-digit dialing code are accredited and/or certified by an external body, such as the American Association of Suicidology, assuring compliance with national standards and quality of services.  
  
  Call, text, or chat 988