The demand for mental health services, across the country and across the Commonwealth, is at an all-time high. We are experiencing unprecedented call volume and seeing increased wait times for referrals. We are working as fast as we can to provide care to our callers, while also maintaining a high level of service. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Learn more about When and Where to Seek Help. We are not an emergency service. If you or the person you’re seeking to assist requires a crisis response to meet immediate safety needs, please call 911, go to your local emergency room, or find your local Emergency Service Program by calling 877-382-1609.

Legal/Advocacy Resources and Services

Boston College Legal Service Lab

www.bc.edu/schools/law/services/academic/programs/clinical/lab.html
885 Centre Street
Newton Centre, MA 02459
617-552-0248

Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau (BCLAB) advises and represents clients with a variety of legal problems, including primarily domestic violence prevention, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and Social Security disability appeals. Our services are free for low income residents of Waltham, Watertown and Newton.

Center for Public Representation

www.centerforpublicrep.org

Eastern Massachusetts: 617-965-0776
Western Massachusetts: 413-586-6024

The Center seeks to improve the quality of lives of people with mental illness and other disabilities through the systemic enforcement of their legal rights while promoting improvements in services for citizens with disabilities.

Disability Law Center

www.dlc-ma.org

800-872-9992 or 617-723-8455

We provide information, referral, technical assistance and representation regarding legal rights and services for people with disabilities.

Massachusetts Bar Association

Lawyer Referral Service

866-627-7577

Monthly Dial-A-Lawyer Program

617-338-0610

Free, brief, legal consults are available over the phone on the first Wednesday of each month, 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Mass Legal Help

www.masslegalhelp.org

Massachusetts legal aid programs put together this website to help you find practical information about your legal rights in Massachusetts.

Mass Legal Services

www.masslegalservices.org

Offers resources and information about legal issues facing lower income Massachusetts residents to legal services advocates and social services professionals.

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee

800-342-9092 or 617-338-2345
www.mhlac.org

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee provides information and advice to individuals involved with the Massachusetts mental health system through the MHLAC Intake Line. If you need help or advice, you must call the MHLAC Intake Line and leave a voicemail message. 

MetroWest Legal Services (MWLS)

www.mwlegal.org
508-620-1830 (Framingham area)
800-696-1501 (Toll-Free)

The mission of MetroWest Legal Services is to provide legal advocacy to protect and advance the rights of the poor, elderly, disabled and other disenfranchised people in our service area and to assist them in obtaining legal, social and economic justice. We help our clients secure access to basic needs and challenge institutional barriers in order to achieve equal justice for all.

Moving to Young Adult Life: A Legal Guide for Parents of Youth with Mental Health Needs

When a child transitions to adulthood, parents wonder about their new role. Until now, they have done most of the decision making without knowing their options, their legal role and where to seek help.  This new guide covers topics like financial decisions, health care options, guardianship and transition from special education.

Download Moving to Young Adult Life: A Legal Guide for Parents of Youth with Mental Health Needs from PPal.net.

One Can Help

www.onecanhelp.org

617-930-3468

One Can Help was conceived by professionals who work with Boston's MetroWest court-involved “low income/high risk” children. Its mission is to encourage these children and their families to make positive changes in their lives by providing financial help so that these goals can be achieved.

Additional Resources

From the US Department of Justice: List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers