Malden launches new outpatient mental health referral service to residents & public-school students

  Mayor Gary Christenson and the City of Malden Health Department are pleased to announce that beginning on February 1 residents and/or public school students have access to a free outpatient mental health referral service through William James College’s INTERFACE Referral Service. INTERFACE is an outpatient mental health resource and referral helpline that the City of Malden has contracted with to help residents and/or public-school students become connected with outpatient mental health providers.

  “There is no doubt that COVID-19 has affected the mental health and well-being of many individuals and families,” said Mayor Christenson. “Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the pandemic, it has become especially difficult to access outpatient mental health services. This helpline will hopefully take down some of the barriers that exist and assist callers so that they can secure the mental health resources that they need.”

  The referral service process consists of the following:

  Intake: Call the Helpline to speak with a resource and referral counselor for 15-20 minutes and provide essential information to ensure a successful match with outpatient mental health provider options.

  Making a match: Within a few business days, a resource and referral counselor assigned to you will be in touch to alert you that they are on your case and starting to review their database of over 10,000 licensed and vetted providers to find a match.

  Providing matches: Once a provider match has been identified (generally within three weeks of your initial call), your resource and referral counselor will give you the provider’s information so you can schedule with this provider.

  Following up: Your resource and referral counselor will follow up with you within one to two weeks of you having received your match to ensure you’ve been able to connect.

  Closing a referral: Once there is a successful match, the INTERFACE resource and referral counselor will close the referral process with you. If you need additional support in the future, you can always call the helpline again.

  This service is available to Malden residents and/or public school students only, though nonresidents might be able to take advantage of the service if their community is one of the over 60 communities contracted to offer the service. Please check out the website to see the other communities that are eligible: https://interface.williamjames.edu/communities

  The service is currently available Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday & Thursday from 8-6 and can be accessed by calling 888-244-6843. Visit https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/malden to view a helpful flyer about the process or view other resources available in our region.

  Please note that the referral service is not a mental health hotline. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should call 911.