It is probably safe to assume that most people in our community don’t really understand what a mental health emergency is all about…until they experience it for themselves.

What constitutes an emergency?

Imagine a family dealing with a suicide that they suddenly discovered or witnessed. Picture a family devastated by a fire, where everything they know and love is lost. Imagine a youth who survives a car accident that kills his best friend. Envision someone who has lived successfully with mental illness for many years, and finds him or herself in a situation beyond their control? These situations describe the work of the Emergency Services staff.

A mental health emergency can happen at any time of day, and come to our staff from a variety of local referral sources such as the police or fire department, the hospital emergency room staff, a caseworker, or a family member or friend. Our primary goal is to stabilize the crisis, assist the individual in managing symptoms, and protect the safety of the individual and community. But our supportive role extends beyond the crisis. We work to link the individual—as well as his or her family when appropriate—to additional support services available to them.

Emergency Services are available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, every day of the year.

Call GBH Emergency Services at (603) 528-0305. During regular business hours you will be transferred to the ES clinician on duty, after hours our answering service will take your call and ES clinician will call you back.