Mapping the Terrain: Understanding Massachusetts’ Evolving System of Early Psychosis Resources for Families and Providers
Emily Gagen, PhD
Margaret Guyer, PhD
Michael Stephansky, MPP
2023 marked a significant expansion of behavioral health resources for individuals, families, and providers in Massachusetts. Beginning this year, Massachusetts implemented key components of its Behavioral Health Roadmap at the same time the Massachusetts Psychosis Access & Triage Hub (M-PATH) began providing services. Combined, Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), DMH’s Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL), and M-PATH have vastly expanded access to behavioral health services across the Commonwealth. Join us for an overview detailing the who-what-when-where-why-and-how (to access) these critical new resources.
Emily Gagen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Brookline Community Mental Health Center. She is the director of the Massachusetts Psychosis Access and Triage Hub (M-PATH) and is also a member of the team at the Center for Early Detection, Assessment, and Response to Risk (CEDAR). Dr. Gagen has worked with individuals with psychosis and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders for 15 years and specializes in the treatment of young adults with early psychosis.
Dr. Margaret Guyer is the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health's Early Psychosis Initiative. She is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence based practices within the Department of Mental Health and among community providers. Dr. Guyer is a clinician and researcher who has worked with people with severe mental illness for more than 20 years.
Michael Stepansky is the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Senior Manager for Policy and Program Implementation. With a background in housing and supported employment, Michael has provided training and technical assistance related to supported employment and education, fidelity monitoring, and the integration of employment and education services within clinical teams. In 2022, Michael supported teams establishing both the Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) and the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) as integral parts of the Roadmap for Behavioral Health.