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Library of Publications

Communicating for Change: How to talk about mental health to support what works

December 8, 2023

FrameWorks Institute and MAMH

This toolkit provides an effective framework to communicate about mental health and, especially, issues at the intersection of mental health and the criminal legal systems.

The FY24 Massachusetts State Budget Brief: Implications for People Living with Behavioral Health Conditions

December 8, 2023

Kate Alicante, MAMH Senior Policy Research Associate

This brief examines the provisions in the FY24 Massachusetts State Budget that will affect individuals with behavioral health conditions and their families.

MAMH Memorandum Detailing Concerns and in Opposition to H.537/S.279, An Act Relative to Safety and Violence Education for Students

November 21, 2023

Jennifer Honig & Jessica Larochelle, MAMH Co-Directors of Public Policy and Government Relations

Memorandum detailing MAMH's concern and in opposition to legislation that would mandate an anonymous top line for a wide range of student behavior occurring in any setting.

MAMH Testimony in Support of H.1980, An Act Relative to Ending Unnecessary Hospitalizations and Reducing Emergency Department Boarding

November 15, 2023

Danna Mauch

MAMH testimony in support of legislation that would amend current legislation, helping ensure that individuals facing a mental health crisis receive timely clinical services and supports in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs.

MAMH Testimony in Support of H. 180, an Act Regarding the Use of Aversive Therapy

November 14, 2023

MAMH

MAMH testimony in support of legislation that would ban the use of aversive interventions in state-run programs and facilities.

MAMH Testimony in Support of H.1601/S.1037, An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Against Adults with Disabilities in Family and Juvenile Court Proceedings

November 14, 2023

Danna Mauch

MAMH testimony in support of legislation that would provide protections to parents with disabilities, especially psychiatric or intellectual disabilities, so they do not inappropriately lose custody or parenting due to disability discrimination.

Taking Action to Support Our Youths' Mental Health: Issue Brief

November 5, 2023

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

This issue brief provides a roadmap for youth mental health, with a focus on health promotion for the diverse communities in Western Massachusetts.

Opposition to H.1694/S.980, An Act to Provide Critical Community Health Services

November 3, 2023

Advocacy Coalition

This letter summarizes legislative testimony provided by advocates in opposition to Involuntary Outpatient Commitment.

MAMH Testimony in Support of S.1434, An Act Establishing the Human Service Transportation (HST) Consumer Advisory Board

November 3, 2023

Danna Mauch

MAMH testimony in support of legislation that would establish a Human Services Transportation consumer advisory board within the Department of Health and Human Services.

MAMH Testimony in Support of H.1966/S.1247, An Act Ensuring Access to Addiction Services

November 1, 2023

Danna Mauch

MAMH testimony in support of legislation that would amend Section 35 of Chapter 123 to ensure that individuals who are involuntarily committed for substance use treatment are housed and treated in “a secure facility licensed or approved by DPH or DMH.

MAMH Testimony in Support of H.1239, An Act to Transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health

November 1, 2023

Danna Mauch

Written testimony in support of legislation that would ensure that individuals who are confined pursuant to a criminal matter and who need hospital-level mental health care are the responsibility of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH).

MAMH Testimony in Opposition to H.1993/S.1241, An Act to Strengthen Emergency Restraint for Persons Suffering Dangerous or Violent Mental Illness, and H.1994/S.1246, An Act to Provide More Timely Treatment of inpatient Mental Health Care

November 1, 2023

Danna Mauch

MAMH testimony in opposition to legislation that would make changes to Section 12, raising substantial procedural and substantive due process concerns with the civil commitment statute and legislation that would make several problematic revisions to Chapter 123.