Mayor Siddiqui’s Office and the Cambridge Public Health Department Partner for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the City of Cambridge is focused on supporting and promoting mental wellness to all its residents. For the third year in a row the Cambridge Public Health Department and Mayor Siddiqui’s office are collaborating encourage residents and organizations to break the stigma associated with mental health and expand their efforts to provide resources to combat mental health disorders. This year the partnership has expanded to include the Cambridge Public Library. Check out the billboard to be placed at City Hall from May 1st to May 7th, 2023. 

Additional events and resources are listed here: 

Roadmap for Behavioral Healthcare Reform
The Roadmap, implemented in January 2023, helps people in Massachusetts get the mental health and substance use care they need, when and where they need it. Through a 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) and statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), the Roadmap connects people with supportive services right in their communities. Cambridge is fortunate to have a CBHC located on site at Cambridge Hospital. 

Woof Wellness with Therapy Dogs

Saturday, May 20 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Cambridge Main Library Lawn - 449 Broadway

In collaboration with the Cambridge Public Library, this event will give community members the opportunity to spend a few minutes with therapy dogs and learn about their important role in providing comfort and healing to community members. Registration is required.

Mental Health First Aid Training for City Employees

Thursday, May 25th from 9:00am to 5:00pm - 119 Windsor Street

In this free skills-based training for City of Cambridge  Employees, participants will learn risk factors, warning signs and strategies to assist someone experiencing both crisis and non-crisis mental health or substance use-related situations. Registration is required.

Social Media Giveaway 

Beginning Monday, May 22, Mayor Siddiqui’s Office will be hosting a drawing on social media to gift three people with a care basket filled with self-care essentials. Follow Mayor Siddiqui on social media or sign up for her biweekly newsletter to learn more about the giveaway! 

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access Hotline

For anyone in need of mental health assistance, please call (833) 773-2445, the access line that helps Massachusetts residents connect with mental health and substance use providers for themselves or someone they know. Callers to the access line would be able to speak with trained specialists who listen to their concerns and help identify what can help, and who can help. The access line links callers with the appropriate service and stays engaged with those callers until the connection occurs.