Mental Health Month – Help with Getting a Mental Health Referral

As an MGB employee or immediate household family member, you have a few different options for getting connected to a therapist who meets your needs. Consider the following when starting this process:

• Timing – do you need help immediately – what accommodates your schedule?
• Therapist characteristics – specialty, gender, cultural background
• Type of intervention needed
• Appointment frequency
• Office/clinic type – hospital-based, agency, private practice
• Setting/Platform – in-person, virtual (video, phone)

Here are some resources for getting a referral:

EAP Referrals

All employees, IHP students, and immediate family household members who want to discuss an issue can contact the EAP for an assessment or assistance with a referral.  You can request an appointment at 866-724-4327 or via our online form for confidential help. Here are some things you can expect from an EAP appointment:

• One or more sessions with an EAP counselor to provide an assessment and to identify options for assistance and/or a referral
• The EAP counselor will work within your insurance coverage and preferences (location, time, clinician characteristics) to identify a suitable therapist
• The EAP is a free service but referrals outside the EAP typically have some costs (some covered by insurance and some not, for example, co-pays)
• Please note that requests for evening or weekend appointments and in-person therapy tend to represent longer wait times

Mental Health Connections (MHC) at Mass General Brigham for employees and their families
MHC is a clinical assessment service connecting MGB employees and their immediate family members (spouses, partners, dependents) with the most appropriate and accessible behavioral health treatment, both within and outside the system, in a timely and efficient way. Contact MHC by email at mentalhealthmatters@partners.org. To learn about what mental health resources you are eligible to use click here.

Lyra Health

Lyra offers immediate access to a care navigator and individualized care, including self-guided programs, coaching, therapy, and medication management. Lyra is available to Mass General Brigham employees with the Mass General Brigham Health Plan Select or Plus plans and their families. Learn more at mgb.lyrahealth.com or call Mass General Brigham Health Plan customer service at 844-451-3520.

Employee Mental Health Clinics

Mass General Brigham employees, faculty and staff have access to some internal mental health clinics for care. You may self-refer or go through the EAP to get a referral. Please check for eligibility.

• BWH Faculty & Trainee Mental Health Program
• MGH Employee Mental Health Clinic
• MGB iCare Community Clinics
  – Burlington
  – Watertown

Other Therapy Referral Pathways

Please note that the EAP does not vet or specifically endorse the providers listed in the platforms below:

• Mass Help Line provides free support and access to treatment for mental health and substance misuse needs
  – Call, text, or chat
  – Connect with qualified professionals for mental health assessments, crisis services, substance use treatment, referrals and guidance for yourself or someone you care about
• Insurance providers
  –  Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  – Aetna
  – Blue Cross Blue Shield
  – Cigna
  – Harvard Pilgrim
  – MassHealth
  – Tufts
• Psychology Today
• William James Interface Referral Service
• Various online platforms
  –  Mass General Brigham Health Plan members have access to Talkspace  via their behavioral health insurance (Optum).  Please note that MGB EAP does not provide Talkspace access codes.

Find our previous Mental Health Month features here:

• Understanding the therapy experience
• Treatment Modalities