Secretary of Health and Human Services Begins Community Mental Health Tour

LAWRENCE — Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Kiame Mahaniah began his months-long Community Mental Health Tour with a visit to the Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services Community Behavioral Health Center in Lawrence this week.

Over the next few months, Mahaniah will be visiting mental healthcare access points across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, and recovery to highlight Gov. Maura Healey’s investment in mental health services and raise public awareness about programs and services available across Massachusetts.

“In Massachusetts, we know that prioritizing mental health is as important as prioritizing physical health. As a practicing family medicine physician, I see too often how mental wellness gets neglected until moments of crisis,” Mahaniah said. “Governor Healey and our entire administration are focused on increasing access to mental healthcare services across our state. This tour will not only amplify the good work happening in our communities, but will also help make sure residents know the resources available to them to preempt an emergency response.”

The Healey-Driscoll administration has significantly invested in services to support the growing demand for mental health services. This includes investment in community-based behavioral health services for young people, support for the behavioral health workforce, and most recently Healey’s FY 2027 budget investment of $1.34 billion for the Department of Mental Health.

“In Massachusetts, we are lucky to have robust mental health services available for people of all ages,” Department of Mental Health Commissioner Emily Bailey said. “But we know there is more work to be done and communities where access remains limited. With this tour, we hope to connect more people across the state with the resources available to them.”

Stops on the tour will include community behavioral health centers, community-based partners working with the Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention, high school co-response teams, and more.