Ipswich Public Health Department Shares Resources During Mental Health Awareness Month

Ipswich Public Health Department sharing available mental health resources. (Photo Courtesy Ipswich Department of Public Health)

IPSWICH – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Ipswich Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging residents to prioritize mental health and make use of free, confidential resources available across Massachusetts.

Following an assessment conducted in 2025, the Ipswich DPH identified a need to improve access to behavioral health services. In reviewing the services available statewide, the department wanted to promote a care coordination service to support behavioral health resource navigation for individuals, and selected the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (BHHL), a statewide care service supported by the state Department of Public Health (MDPH). 

The BHHL connects individuals and families to mental health and substance use resources, helping them find care without barriers. The helpline is available 24/7 and is free and confidential for all residents. Trained clinicians provide immediate support, assist with finding providers, and offer guidance for both mental health and substance use concerns. Language assistance is also available.

Residents can call or text the BHHL at 833-773-2445, or access the live chat services at www.masshelpline.com

Ipswich DPH is also carrying out initiatives aligned with the themes of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Throughout May, the campaign will focus on increasing understanding of mental illness, emphasizing early support, encouraging the use of compassionate language, and highlighting the importance of support from loved ones.

SAMHSA also offers a toolkit of resources that can be downloaded, shared and customized based on an individual’s needs. The toolkit was created to help spread awareness about the importance of mental health and its impact on physical and emotional well-being. 

Each week in May, SAMHSA’s toolkit emphasizes different themes associated with mental health awareness. Week one is Understanding Mental Illness, Week two is Early Support Matters: Recognizing Early Signs in Youth, Week three is Words Matter and Words Can Heal, and Week four is Supporting Loved Ones.

Residents are encouraged to engage with the resources Ipswich DPH is offering in May, including:

• Consultation with a qualified behavioral health clinician.
• Urgent behavioral health care.
• Immediate help for a behavioral health crisis.
• Follow-up supports.

“We want every resident to know that help is always within reach,” said Ipswich Public Health Department Director Colleen Fermon. “Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but with the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, it’s easy to connect with compassionate, professional support.”

For more information visit the Ipswich DPH webpage here. 

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