If you are struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders, please know you are not alone. There are resources out there to help you (or a loved one) navigate treatment options. Here are a few:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives, and many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children, as well as an urge to abuse substances as a coping mechanism.

Please know if you are struggling, you are not alone. There are resources out there to help you (or a loved one) navigate treatment options. Here are a few:

• If you or a loved one would like to learn more about how to access treatment please call Meaghan Ritcey, Public Health Nurse for the City of Waltham at 781-314-3317 or email Meaghan at mritcey@city.waltham.ma.us

• Ways to learn to cope with stress & anxiety in a healthy way

• Various health, food, housing, and family resources available through WATCH CDC

• Waltham Public School Counseling Department’s Resources

• See a list of Substance Addiction Services available in Mass, including eligibility criteria

• Overdose and recovery information from the CDC

• Substance use prevention information & resources from MassGov

• Department of Mental Health Young Adult Substance Abuse Resource Guide

• Dial Mass "2-1-1" or visit https://mass211.org/ for free confidential and multilingual help 24/7 or call 1-800-662-4357 for SAMHSA's confidential National Helpline.

• If you are in crisis, get immediate help:

Call 9-1-1

National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-8255 (1-888-628-9454 for Spanish)

We're all in this together #OneWaltham