Health & Wellness

Samaritans’ at 877-870-4673. Samaritans primary suicide prevention program is the 24 Hour/7 day Telephone Befriending Service offered from two locations in Boston and Framingham. Anyone in need can use the support of Samaritans, which is free, confidential, anonymous, and is accessible any time of the day or night. Samaritan volunteers offer callers uncritical acceptance and respect in a comforting and understanding manner. In addition to supporting depressed, lonely and suicidal callers, this program also supports those calling with concerns for others.

Samariteens at 800-252-8336. Samarteens is a teen help line that provides confidential peer support and understanding to teens who are struggling with feelings of depression, loneliness and stress. From 3 pm to 9 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends, this service is staffed by volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18; outside those hours, calls are answered by adult volunteers.

Novels have the ability to transport us to different people and experiences.  They can show us what life was like in 2nd century Rome, 14th century China, or 1990s Chicago.  They can let us feel the experiences of different races and genders  Similarly, novels can open the door to issues of mental wellness.  We can read a story from a completely different point of view - like someone who experiences the world very literally, or who feels emotions quite strongly, or is struggling with drug addiction, an eating disorder, or their own gender identity.  These books can help us better understand ourselves and others, by not treating mental wellness issues as a list of causes and symptoms, but by showing us people going about their lives.  Of course, novels are no replacement for real mental health resources.  Those are further down below.