Page 62 - Healthcare News Nov/Dec 2022

State Takes Major Step in Behavioral Health Help Line Implementation
BOSTON — The Baker-Polito adminis- tration announced that the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) has been selected as the exclusive clinical provider for the Behavioral Health Help Line, which will act as an accessible ‘front door’ to treatment, enabling Common- wealth residents to easily find available providers and services that meet their needs.
Set to launch in January, the Help Line will offer a single point of contact for resi- dents to receive real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right mental-health and substance-use- disorder evaluation and treatment, regard- less of insurance status or ability to pay. The phone and chat line will offer real- time clinical triage and service navigation to help individuals and families access the range of treatment for mental-health and addiction offered in the Commonwealth, including outpatient, urgent, and immedi- ate crisis intervention.
Importantly, MBHP has committed to placing a particular focus on historically underserved communities, and the Help Line will be accessible in more than 200 languages to strengthen the connection to behavioral-health services across the Commonwealth.
“Our administration, in close collabora- tion with the Legislature and community partners, has made it a priority to ensure that Massachusetts residents can access the treatment they need, when and where they need it,” Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said. “The Behavioral Health Help Line will provide residents with a much-needed clinical front door to treatment; with one phone call, text, or web chat, individuals will have access to a variety of services, including mental-health assessments and referrals. MBHP will compassionately and effec- tively set the Help Line in motion, so that all Massachusetts residents can receive the high-quality, accessible behavioral health-
care they deserve.”
Starting in early January, any Mas-
sachusetts resident in need of a clinical assessment and support will be able to access the Help Line 24/7 via phone and text at (833) 773-2445, as well as online at masshelpline.com. Every call, text, or chat conversation will include clinical follow-up.
“The Behavioral Health Help Line will offer significantly more than traditional information and referral lines,” Depart- ment of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle said. “This Help Line team will be staffed by trained behavioral-health responders who will take the time to as- sess the needs of the people seeking help, will assist with navigation of the system, and will also remain in contact with the caller to ensure that they have successfully connected with a provider. The ability to offer appropriate treatment to every resi- dent, whenever and wherever they need
it, has always been our mission. We look
forward to working with MBHP to make this a reality.”
Under the direction of the Department of Mental Health, MBHP will become accredited as a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline center, and the Help Line will also work in close collaboration with the existing 988 line to receive handoffs of individuals in need of clinical assessment, assistance booking an outpatient ap- pointment, and connection to outpatient providers.
“The Behavioral Health Help Line will give individuals a centralized resource for behavioral-health support,” said Sharon Hanson, CEO of the Massachusetts Be- havioral Health Partnership. “Individuals will now have reliable, 24/7 access to clini- cal staff, online or by text, chat, or phone — a completely new pathway to support. We are proud to help to provide this vital resource, which will enable more people to receive help when and where they need it most.”
Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation Awards $50,000 to Mental Health Assoc.
Holyoke
SPRINGFIELD — The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation awarded a $50,000 operating support grant to assist in MHA’s work of serving some of the most disadvantaged members of the community: individuals impacted by mental illness, developmen- tal disabilities, substance use, brain injuries, and homelessness.
“We are immensely grateful for the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation’s generous support that will help us continue to provide the residential and support services that MHA has been providing for over 60 years,” said Jennifer Ducharme, MHA’s vice president of Development & Community Relations.
MHA has developed an extensive continuum of trauma- informed wraparound services responding to a variety of needs. Each year, MHA must raise necessary resources from community- minded businesses, individuals, and foundations to provide crucial supports such as furniture and furnishings, clothing, and
bedding for individuals transitioning into programs and out into their own independent living; behavioral-health services; educa- tional and social enrichment activities for program residents; and clothing and personal-hygiene items for individuals coming to MHA with little more than the clothes on their backs. MHA’s mis- sion is to provide residential and support services that promote independence, community engagement, mental and physical well- ness, and recovery for people with disabilities and other vulner- able individuals.
“The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation grant will help MHA to continue offering vital supports,” Ducharme said. “MHA sincerely appreciates the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation’s understanding of the importance of being a beacon of hope for people during some of their most vulnerable times.”
Seeks Volunteer
Medical Center
Interfaith
Baystate Noble Hospital Lauded for Safety by the Leapfrog Group
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center is currently seeking volunteer interfaith chaplains. Specifically, the hospital is seek- ing individuals who have served as an in- terfaith chaplain, have completed a clinical pastor education (CPE) program, or have relevant experience in honoring patients of diversified faith traditions and beliefs.
“Holyoke Medical Center is proud of our holistic approach to wellness,” said Pastor Joe DeGrande, volunteer chaplain. “With spirituality being a critical com- ponent to patient care, we are looking to expand our interfaith chaplain team to better serve our patients, their families, and our medical staff.”
All Holyoke Medical Center volunteers are required to participate in an onboard- ing process and orientation, and receive a photo identification badge.
To learn more about becoming a vol- unteer at Holyoke Medical Center and to apply, contact Laura Ciejka at (413) 534- 2510 or ciejka_laura@holyokehealth.com.
WESTFIELD — Baystate Noble Hospital received an ‘A’ hospital safety grade from the Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates Baystate Noble’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.
“At Baystate Noble, we are thrilled to continue our multi-
year streak of straight A’s in patient safety as recognized by the Leapfrog Group,” said Lissette Grimaldi, chief Nursing officer and chief administrative officer. “We have a highly skilled team, and this award demonstrates to our patients and the community the continuous effort that the Baystate Noble team makes to reduce harm to patients through hospital-acquired infections, accidents, and medical errors.”
The Leapfrog Group is an independent, national watchdog
organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the U.S., based on a hospital’s abil- ity to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.
“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ safety grade
is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their perfor- mance, so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”
Chaplains
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