Boston

Mental Health Services

The city of Boston is home to many support services for families seeking mental health resources. Select a topic below for resources and organizations relevant to the topic in the Boston area.

Youth Services

The city's schools, parks, and recreation department, and many nonprofit agencies work together to help families learn and grow.

For a wide range of out-of-school opportunities, visit BOSTONavigator, a collaboration of the City of Boston, BOSTnet, and Boston After School & Beyond to offer easy access to youth program information. Another resource for teens is Boston Youth Zone, which offers “activities, opportunities, and other fun stuff for kids and teens. By Boston teens, for Boston teens.”

These resources were drawn from the Boston Guide to Youth Services.

Teen Centers

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Westcoast Connection began with the goal of using exciting, memorable travel to enlighten and inspire teenagers and to enhance their understanding of themselves along the way. With a simple philosophy of "EACH & EVERY" we could never have guessed how many thousands of teens would come to share in our spirited and tightly knit groups where everybody is included in an enriching program.

Prevention and intervention services primarily for Asian youth. Afterschool teen center. Counseling, family work, youth development programs, peer-leadership training, GED classes, social, cultural and recreational activities, crisis intervention, educational and employment services, advocacy and information and referral services. Assists youth who are court-involved, need substance abuse services, or who are facing school or home problems. Languages include English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian.

Offers street and shelter outreach; medical, and dental care; counseling, substance abuse, and runaway services, alternative education, career exploration, computer skills, long-term transitional housing, and drop-in survival services for homeless youth and young adults in high risk situations.

The mission of Earthwatch is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch offers a variety of family-together volunteer projects that make great hands-on learning experiences (includes several teen programs). Earthwatch's Teen Team Expeditions explore the world's most beautiful and endangered places. And these hands-on trips aren't only educational, but a way for teens to make a real difference and truly help the places they visit instead of just 'seeing' them as a passive bystander. The organization also offers all the tools, training, and experiences their volunteers need to make an impact.

The Oak Square YMCA in Brighton is committed to helping children, families and individuals live longer, healthier lives through affordable and accessible programs and activities. Our facility features universal design to ensure that members of all abilities have the opportunity to participate in our activities and programs.

The Roxbury YMCA is committed to helping children, families and individuals live longer, healthier lives through affordable and accessible programs and activities. We are leading provider of youth and teen services with a facility that features a full multi-media lab with recording equipment and a full size outdoor soccer field.

Basketball, volleyball, youth strength training and fitness, summer day and residential camps, teen employment, job training and counseling, volunteer opportunities, teen health education, drop-in center. Bilingual staff in Chinese/English available for advocacy assistance.

Select a different Youth Services category below.

Community Websites

• City of Boston
• Boston Public Schools
• Boston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPED PAC): 617-635-7810
• Adolescent Wellness Program (Boston Public Health Commission)
• Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)
• Boston Resource Net
• talklisten.org

Can't find what you need or need a referral to a mental health practitioner? Call 617-332-3666 x 411. For more information about the service and terms of confidentiality, please click here.