MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service in the News

Each year, the press takes an interest in the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service (formerly Project INTERFACE) and seeks out members of the community to comment on mental health and wellness and this valuable service. Here are a few examples:

Children's access to mental care in Mass. is growing, The Boston Globe, 3/18/2013.

"... Given the important role that pediatricians play in a child's life, they are at the center of many initiatives designed to boost mental health services for the young. The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project provides a hotline for pediatricians to call for consultations with psychiatrists, especially for help with the complexities of prescribing psychotropic drugs. Started about a decade ago, this program has been replicated in other states. In addition, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology offers pediatricians a referral service for mental health clinicians, which has made roughly 1,000 referrals a year."

Town shares in counseling service, Harvard News, 3/8/2013.

"... With support from the Harvard Schools Trust and the Lions Club, Harvard is one of more than a dozen member communities benefiting from the MSPP Interface. Neighboring towns of Groton, Littleton, Westford, Ayer, Lincoln and Concord are also members."

Schools to offer new mental health resource. The Harvard Press, 6/15/12.

"When a student or young adult needs mental health services, a family can face a bewildering array of questions, choices, and concerns. Is there a mental health professional in this area who specializes in the young person's problem? What kinds of insurance does that professional accept? How long will it take to get an appointment? As of July 1, Harvard residents will have a new source of help in dealing with these questions. Harvard is joining with more than a dozen other Massachusetts communities to take part in Project Interface, which offers a helpline and a referral service for mental health issues. ..."

Project INTERFACE meeting June 6. Harvard News, 6/1/12.

“Residents are invited to a meeting at Volunteer Hall at the Harvard Public Library to learn about a new service that is available beginning July 1. … Information related to mental-health questions and services for children, families and adults, including a calendar of community trainings and events will be available at www.projectinterface.org. Read more…

Groton man helps others find the right help. The Lowell Sun, 12/25/11.

“Steve Boczenowski knows referrals to doctors' offices often start in conversations among parents at school-bus stops or on soccer fields. From orthopedist to dentist, parents ask around to get the names of physicians that may fit their children's needs. But the search for the right help is a lot more private and lonely process than that for those looking for mental-health professionals, said Boczenowski, who lost his 21-year-old son, Jeffrey, to a drug-overdose suicide in December 2009.” Read more…

Project INTERFACE coming to Groton-Dunstable schools. The Groton Landmark, 12/23/11.

“The Project INTERFACE Community Resource & Referral HELPLINE is available to parents and community members in Groton-Dunstable beginning Jan. 2, to assist in finding appropriate mental health services for children, families and adults. Callers are provided professional, personalized counseling referrals matched for location, specialty and insurance or fee requirements.… Funding for this service is generously provided by TADS -- Teenage Anxiety & Depression Solutions.” Read more…

Selectmen minutes, July 11, 2011. The Chelmsford Independent, 7/11/11.

“A mental health referral helpline is now available for all Chelmsford residents, according to Chelmsford Manager of Healthcare Services Sue Rosa. Called Project INTERFACE, the helpline is active Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Professionals through the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology match callers with services to meet their particular needs. Problems addressed include depression, ADHD, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. Residents are not charged a fee to call the line, which went active July 1 thanks to donations from groups such as the Disability Commission, which gave $1,000. Westford, which set up the line in January only for school-age students, received 35 calls in its first month. ‘It's a service that, based on the Youth Risk behavior survey and everything that has gone on in town, we definitely need,’ Rosa said. ‘I'm pretty proud of the fact that we were able to get it here in Chelmsford.’” Read more…

Helpline will get state aid: Project INTERFACE helps young people find needed mental health services. The Berkshire Eagle, 5/9/11.

“With state youth suicide rates at their highest in the Berkshires, Massachusetts has set aside funds for a mental health helpline available to young people in South County. The referral service, Project INTERFACE, helps teens and young adults figure out what kind of mental health services they might need and locates psychologists, psychiatrists or other professionals in the area who are available for an appointment. Distinguished from a hotline, the helpline is primarily about establishing face to- face meetings. ‘Individuals need services, and without someone to help them navigate services, it's very frustrating - and that's what we do,’ said Margaret Hannah of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, which operates the helpline.” (Article not available online.)

Sudbury schools form partnership with mental health referral service. The Sudbury Town Crier, 2/7/11.

“The Sudbury Public Schools is pleased to announce a new partnership with Project INTERFACE, an initiative through the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Project INTERFACE works to improve the integration of mental health services within schools and community agencies and to improve access to these services for individuals. Project INTERFACE is available free of charge to families to assist in finding appropriate counseling and mental health services for children and families. P… Project INTERFACE staff assists parents in finding appropriate counseling referrals based on insurance accepted, location, therapist specialty, and availability.” Read more…

Mental health referrals provided by new service in Westford. The Westford Eagle, 12/27/10.

“The [Project] INTERFACE Community Resource and Referral helpline will become available to parents and community members in Westford on Jan. 3, to assist in finding appropriate mental health services for children and families. Callers are provided professional, personalized counseling referrals matched for location, specialty and insurance or fee requirements. … Project INTERFACE, an initiative out of The Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, works to improve the integration of mental health services within schools and community agencies and to improve access to these services for individuals.… The service is being funded by See a New Sun Foundation, Westford Parent Connection, and the Westford Schools.” Read more…

Needham announces mental health services referral helpline. The Needham Times, 1/23/10.

The [Project] INTERFACE Community Resource & Referral HELPLINE is now available to parents and community members in Needham to assist in finding appropriate mental health services for children, families and adults. Callers are provided professional, personalized counseling referrals matched for location, specialty and insurance or fee requirements. … Funding for this service is generously provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham and the Kyle W. Shapiro Foundation.” Read more…