Resources

Call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for anyone experiencing mental health distress, suicidal thoughts, or emotional crisis. Available via call, text, and chat. Supports 240+ languages.

Note: The specialized LGBTQIA+ youth option ("Press 3") was discontinued in July 2025 and has not been restored as of July 2026. LGBTQIA+ youth in crisis should contact The Trevor Project.

https://988lifeline.org

Text HOME to 741741. Free, 24/7 text-based crisis support. Particularly accessible for young people who prefer not to call.

https://www.crisistextline.org

Call 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use disorders. 24/7, available in English and Spanish.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

The largest grassroots mental health organization in the U.S. Offers education, peer support, and advocacy. Resources for individuals, families, and youth. Find a local affiliate through the site.

https://www.nami.org

Research-based information on children's and adolescents' mental health, learning disorders, and anxiety. Includes a symptom checker, clinician finder, and resources for parents and educators.

https://childmind.org

National nonprofit focused on mental health and suicide prevention for teenagers and young adults. Works with schools, communities, and individuals.

https://jedfoundation.org

Plain-language federal resource explaining mental health conditions, treatment options, and how to find help. Good entry point for people who are new to navigating mental health care.

https://www.mentalhealth.gov

Run by the National Center for School Mental Health. Resources for students, parents, educators, and administrators around school-based mental health support.

https://www.schoolmentalhealth.org

Crisis intervention and suicide prevention specifically for LGBTQIA+ young people ages 13-24. Available 24/7 via phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and chat. This is the recommended resource for LGBTQIA+ youth in crisis following the elimination of the 988 "Press 3" option in July 2025.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Peer support hotline run by and for trans people. Call 1-877-565-8860. Free and confidential. They will not contact emergency services without your consent. The hotline is currently operating at reduced capacity and calls may be returned rather than answered live, so if you need immediate support, use 988 or The Trevor Project.

https://translifeline.org

1-800-246-7743. Peer support for callers up to age 25. Offers information, a listening ear, and connection to local resources.

https://www.lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline

Formed in 2024 from the merger of the National Center for Transgender Equality and TLDEF. Offers a comprehensive guide to rights across housing, healthcare, and employment. Legal and policy advocacy.

https://transequality.org

Legal information, case updates, and know-your-rights resources. Particularly useful for understanding current policy and legal challenges.

https://www.aclu.org/lgbtq-rights

National legal organization advancing rights of LGBTQIA+ people and those living with HIV. Offers legal representation, a help desk, and policy resources.

https://www.lambdalegal.org

The largest organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ people and their families. Local chapters nationwide. Resources for coming out, family support, and advocacy.

https://pflag.org

Media advocacy organization. Their transgender resources page is a well-organized clearinghouse linking to a wide range of national support, legal, and community organizations.

https://glaad.org/transgender/resources

Support and education for gender-diverse youth and their families. Runs online support groups for both young people and parents/caregivers.

https://genderspectrum.org

Focused on LGBTQIA+ student safety and inclusion in K-12 schools. Offers educator resources, student organizing tools, and policy guidance.

https://www.glsen.org

Every state has a federally funded Parent Training and Information Center that helps families with IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and placement disputes at no cost. Use this site to find yours.

https://www.parentcenterhub.org

The standard reference for special education law and advocacy.

https://www.wrightslaw.com

Directory of special education advocates and attorneys for when a dispute escalates.

https://www.copaa.org

Plain-language explanations of learning and attention differences.

https://www.understood.org

Free case management for people fighting insurance denials, including help preparing appeals.

https://www.patientadvocate.org

Mental health parity means insurers must cover behavioral health comparably to physical health. Most families do not know they can invoke this.

https://www.thekennedyforum.org

A free multi-session education program for family members, taught by people who have been there. Offered through local affiliates.

https://www.nami.org

Free peer support specifically for family members, separate from groups for the person in treatment.

https://www.nami.org/support-groups/nami-family-support-group/

A national organization run by and for families raising children with mental health, substance use, and behavioral needs.

https://www.ffcmh.org

Education and peer support for family caregivers.

https://www.caregiveraction.org

Call or text 833-773-2445, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Free, confidential, no insurance required. Connects to mental health and substance use treatment statewide and stays with you until you are connected. Online chat at masshelpline.com.

https://www.masshelpline.com

The Massachusetts Parent Training and Information Center. Free help with special education rights and IEPs.

https://fcsn.org

Family support groups, education, and advocacy.

https://namimass.org

Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth. Youth-led programming, support, and community.

https://www.bagly.org

Support services, drop-in space, and health services for LGBTQIA+ young people of color.

https://jri.org/?program=boston-glass

160 Hollis Street, Framingham. (508) 875-2122. Free programs, more than 25 per month, serving youth from over 30 towns. Umbrella and Shine serve transgender, nonbinary, and gender questioning youth specifically. LGBTQIA+ therapists are on site during weekly programs at no cost. The center has a low sensory room and staff trained to work with neurodiverse youth.

https://www.outmetrowest.org

617-355-4367. The first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program in the United States.

https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/gender-multispecialty-service

An independent comprehensive trans healthcare center serving trans and gender diverse people of all ages, including pediatric care and mental health care.

https://www.transhealth.org

Natick-based nonprofit. All programs free. Resilient Community Speaker Series and a monthly facilitated parent resource group. Programs offered in ASL, Portuguese, and Spanish. Autism Welcoming certified.

https://www.sparkkindness.org