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Library of Publications

Report of the Community Policing and Behavioral Health Advisory Council

October 20, 2023

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and Technical Assistance Collaborative

This legislative study provides an in-depth review of the Massachusetts crisis system and offers recommendations to maximize the use of best practices for a system that is organized, integrated, and accessible.

The History of Bridgewater State Hospital

October 2, 2023

Jennifer Honig, JD, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health

Bridgewater State Hospital is Massachusetts’ prison for men with serious psychiatric needs who also have pending criminal charges or convictions or who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

An Inventory of Programs & Policies to Enhance Recruitment & Retention of the Behavioral Health Workforce in Massachusetts

January 31, 2023

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health; NRI, Inc.

This inventory and summary report highlight policies, programs, and incentives available to recruit, retain, expand, and sustain the behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts. The report provides key findings, analysis, and recommendations.

Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission: Year Four Findings and Recommendations

April 26, 2022

Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission

This legislative report describes activities the Commission completed in Year Four, including the development of procurement documents, changes to the service model, and a timeline for implementation of a restoration center in Middlesex County.

Efficacy of Service Delivery Reforms at Bridgewater State Hospital

March 4, 2022

Disability Law Center

The Disability Law Center's report finds significant inadequacies in treatment at Bridgewater State Hospital.

Massachusetts Spending Plan to Promote COVID-19 Recovery: Impact on People with Behavioral Health Conditions

December 22, 2021

MAMH

This analysis of H.4269, An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs (Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021), describes Massachusetts' plan to allocate nearly $4 billion in federal and state funding.

A Consensus Approach and Recommendations for the Creation of a Comprehensive Crisis Response System

November 18, 2021

CEO Collaborative

MAMH joined 14 other mental health professional organizations, advocacy groups, and funders in releasing a consensus plan to guide implementation of 988, a new crisis hotline scheduled to go online nationwide in July 2022.

Role of Peer Supporters in Housing

September 30, 2021

MAMH

This report summarizes findings from a statewide workgroup on the role of peer supporters in helping people find and keep housing.

Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget Brief Analysis

July 29, 2021

MAMH

An analysis of the FY2022 Massachusetts State Budget and its implications for people with behavioral health conditions and their families.

Behavioral Health Crisis and Diversion from the Criminal Justice System: A Model for Effective Community Response

June 16, 2021

Bren Manaugh

Involvement in the criminal justice system compounds the challenges faced by people with behavioral health issues, interrupting access to benefits, treatment relationships and routines and other sources of support and stability, and making them vulnerable to trauma.

Criminal Legal System Diversion: Creating a Behavioral Health Emergency Response System

May 13, 2021

MAMH

We know that the involvement of police can escalate a behavioral health crisis, causing fear or triggering trauma reactions. Yet individuals experiencing a crisis and their families often find themselves with nowhere to turn but 911.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Massachusetts Health Care System (Interim Report)

April 25, 2021

Massachusetts Health Policy Commission

This legislatively-mandated interim report focuses on health care utilization and market impacts to date, with a primary focus on calendar year 2020 and the impact of COVID-19.