Adolescent referral for assessment, support, treatment, recovery.
People supporting youth, including those implementing SBIRT in Schools, may encounter situations when a ‘referral’ may be the appropriate next step. Working with your team, you can develop strategies to navigate the process and gather resources to support youth. The goal of a referral is to connect youth with resources that can help them to explore next steps and get further assessment, as needed.
If you are looking for referral resources for adults, visit MA Substance Use Helpline
911: If the student indicates immediate threat or harm to themselves or others, including a medical emergency, call 911.
988: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The 988 Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
Depending on available resources and staff, youth may be referred to in-school health professionals (i.e., adjustment counselors, school psychologists, or school nurses), behavioral health providers, pediatricians, or other support services for further assessment. Note that if disclosing screening results to another person, a consent form must be signed by the student.
MA Substance Use Helpline is a website and 24/7 hotline for information about substance use treatment, recovery, and supportive services across the state. The helpline resources can be accessed by students themselves, or on behalf of students by parents, guardians, or school professionals. Call 800-327-5050 or visit HelplineMA.org.
The BSAS Office of Youth and Young Adult Services funds transitional age youth and young adult programs to provide developmentally appropriate, strength-based, culturally responsive and trauma-informed services for those living with a substance use disorder (SUD). It also provides supports for families or caregivers. For more information, contact: [email protected] or 617-624-5111.
Massachusetts has several behavioral health resources at MA Behavioral Health Access (MABHA) and MA Behavioral Health Help Line that provide information about accessing behavioral health services. These resources can help both providers and individuals locate openings in mental health and substance use disorder services.
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW : MA tobacco and nicotine quit line
- My Life My Quit
Free and confidential textline to support teens in quitting smoking or vaping. Youth can enroll my texting “Start my Quit” to 36072 - This is Quitting
A free and anonymous text messaging program from Truth Initiative designed to help young people quit vaping. To enroll, teens and young adults text DITCHVAPE to 88709.