INTERFACE: A Free & Confidential Mental Health Resource

As we continue to focus on mental health during the month of May, we want to make sure that all Lynnfield residents are aware of INTERFACE, a mental health resource and referral Helpline that A Healthy Lynnfield has in place to help children, adults, and families become connected with mental health and wellness resources.

Here’s what to expect when you call the free and confidential INTERFACE referral Helpline and are working through the referral process.

· Intake - When you call, you will speak with a resource and referral counselor and you will be asked to complete a confidential intake. You will be asked for some basic contact information, information about yourself or your child, your insurance information, and availability for an appointment, most likely using telehealth at this point in time), and general information about what you are concerned about. The length of time to complete the intake varies but should take about 15-20 minutes.

· Making a Match - After the intake is completed you will be assigned a case number for use as your reference in calls with INTERFACE. This is to protect your confidentiality. INTERFACE counselors begin a search for a match for a mental health provider that best meets your needs. INTERFACE has an extensive database from which to access resources. You can expect that your resource and referral counselor will be in touch with you in the first few business days after your call to update you on the status.

· Providing Matches - Once a match has been identified, an INTERFACE counselor will call you and/or email you the information including the provider’s name, credentials, location, and phone number. The INTERFACE counselor may also provide links to helpful on-line resources such as information about how to choose a mental health provider. The INTERFACE Referral Helpline provides you with 2-3 matches most often within a 2-week time frame. .

· Following-Up- After you have received the matches, an INTERFACE counselor will follow up with you within 2 weeks to see if you have been able to connect with the provider(s), and if so, how it is going. INTERFACE is committed to honoring your voice and choice, and will follow-up with you until you feel you have found a successful match.

· Closing a Referral- Once you feel you have found a successful match, the INTERFACE referral counselor will close the referral process with you. However, if you need additional support in the future for other referrals or if the match does not work out for some reason, please know that you can always call the Helpline again. Throughout the process, the Helpline is available to you from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. INTERFACE is managed by William James College and who provides this service to many area communities.

For more information about mental health resources please visit www.Ahealthylynnfield.org.