Massachusetts is facing a critical juncture in its commitment to mental health care. Governor Healey’s proposed budget includes significant cuts to the Department of Mental Health (DMH), threatening vital services for the state’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly children and adolescents. These cuts have sparked widespread concern and advocacy from families, providers, and community members. This article serves as a central resource to understand the situation, its potential consequences, and how you can take action to protect these essential services.

Background

The proposed budget includes several deeply concerning cuts to the DMH:

• Reduction in DMH Case Managers: The plan slashes the number of DMH case managers across the state in half, from 340 to 170. Case managers provide crucial support to individuals and families, connecting them with resources, coordinating care, and offering ongoing support. As one case manager poignantly stated, “Cutting us in half would collapse the system. It doesn’t make sense” (Mental health worker rally against budget cuts in a march on City Hall).  
• Closure of Residential Programs: The budget proposes the closure of vital residential programs for children and adolescents with acute mental health needs. This includes the Three Rivers Clinically Intensive Residential Treatment Program (CIRT) in Belchertown, “the only remaining program of its level and intensity in the state for children aged 6 to 12” (Gov’s mental health cuts worry local advocates, Cutchins program in Belchertown at risk).  
• Other Cuts: Additional cuts impact flexible funding and other essential services, further straining the mental health system.

The Healey administration argues that these cuts are necessary to address budget constraints and improve efficiency. They state that some programs are underutilized and that consolidation will ensure “taxpayer dollars are used effectively” (Massachusetts families ‘at risk’ under Gov). However, advocates strongly disagree, arguing that these cuts will have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and the community.  

Impact on Children and Families

The proposed cuts pose a severe threat to the well-being of Massachusetts children and families:

• Increased Emergency Room Boarding: Without access to appropriate residential programs and community-based support, children in crisis will be forced to wait in emergency rooms for extended periods, a practice known as “boarding.” This is a traumatic experience for children and places a significant strain on already overwhelmed ERs. As Lydia Todd, executive director of NFI Massachusetts, explained, “I think you’ve heard about the issue of families needing to board in the emergency departments with their child, which means they’re waiting on a psych bed. Sometimes, families have to quit their jobs because they just can’t maintain that level of uncertainty with reliable employment” (Healey’s proposed cuts to youth mental health services alarm providers).  
• Lack of Appropriate Placement Options: Programs like Three Rivers provide specialized care for children with complex needs who cannot be safely served in less intensive settings. Closing these programs leaves families with nowhere to turn, potentially leading to increased instability and worse outcomes for children.
• Negative Impact on Families: Caring for a child with significant mental health needs is incredibly challenging. Cuts to case management and other support services leave families feeling isolated and overwhelmed, potentially jeopardizing their stability and well-being.
• Long-Term Negative Outcomes: Failing to provide timely and effective mental health care to children can have devastating long-term consequences, including increased risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system, substance abuse, and suicide.

About Three Rivers

The Three Rivers program stands as a cornerstone of specialized care for children in crisis. As the state’s only acute residential treatment facility for children aged 6–12, it provides intensive, trauma-informed services that are critical for young patients who have exhausted other treatment options. Despite recent major investments—including the development of a state-of-the-art campus and strategic relocations designed to better serve the community—the program is now at risk of being misclassified as “underutilized.” This misclassification fails to account for the temporary disruptions caused by the pandemic, staffing shortages, and system inefficiencies in admissions and referrals. The potential loss of Three Rivers would leave a void in the continuum of care, forcing vulnerable children to seek inadequate alternatives and ultimately jeopardizing their long-term recovery and well-being.

About Cutchins Programs for Children and Families

Cutchins Family Programs has long been a pillar of support and healing for children and families across Massachusetts. With a history rooted in compassion and a commitment to transformative care, Cutchins provides a range of services designed to address the complex needs of children who have experienced trauma. From crisis intervention to long-term therapeutic support, the program offers specialized, evidence-based care that helps young people build resilience and achieve lasting recovery. Through collaboration with local communities, healthcare providers, and advocates, Cutchins Family Programs not only delivers critical mental health services but also works to educate and empower families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive despite adversity.

Advocacy Efforts

In response to these proposed cuts, a groundswell of advocacy has emerged across the state:

• Rallies and Protests: Mental health professionals, community members, and families have organized rallies and protests to raise awareness and demand that legislators protect funding for these vital services.
• Testimony at Hearings: Advocates are providing powerful testimony at budget hearings, sharing their personal stories and expertise to illustrate the devastating impact of the cuts.
• Community Outreach: Organizations and individuals are working tirelessly to educate the public and mobilize support for mental health services.
• Childhood Trauma Task Force (CTTF): The CTTF, established to improve services for children who have experienced trauma, has also voiced concerns about the potential impact of these cuts.  

Call to Action

Your voice is crucial in this fight! Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Contact Your State Representatives and Senators: Let them know that you oppose these cuts and urge them to protect funding for mental health services. You can find their contact information here:
  • Members of the Senate
  • Members of the House of Representatives
• Key Talking Points: When contacting your legislators, emphasize the following:
  • The devastating impact on children and families.
  • The increase in emergency room boarding.
  • The long-term costs to the state.
  • The importance of programs like Three Rivers.
• Submit Written Testimony: Share your personal story or professional expertise with the budget committee.
• Attend Hearings or Rallies: Show your support and make your voice heard.
• Share Information on Social Media: Help spread awareness and encourage others to take action.

Materials

2024

Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. (2024). Childhood Trauma Task Force 2024 Annual Report: A report of the Childhood Trauma Task Force. https://www.mass.gov/lists/childhood-trauma-task-force-cttf-reports-and-documents

January 22, 2025

Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. (2025, January 22). Governor Healey’s proposed $62 billion budget plan presentation [PowerPoint slides]. [Download]

Stout, M., & Huynh, A. (2025, January 22). Healey governor budget: $6.2B candy taxes, MBTA funding. The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/22/metro/healey-governor-budget-62b-candy-taxes-mbta-funding/

February 7, 2025

Northampton State Hospital. (2025, February 7). Again [Article]. Northampton State Hospital. https://northamptonstatehospital.org/2025/02/07/again/

February 25, 2025

The Boston Globe. (2025, February 25). Pappas Children’s Hospital Healey budget cuts [Article]. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/25/metro/pappas-childrens-hospital-healey-budget-cuts/

March 2, 2025

Gazette Net. (2025). DMH cuts threaten to close Cutchins CIRT program, halve case managers [Article]. https://www.gazettenet.com/DMH-cuts-threaten-to-close-Cutchins-CIRT-program-halve-case-managers-59696112

March 25, 2025

ItemLive. (2025, March 25). Mental health worker rally against budget cuts in a march on City Hall [Article]. https://itemlive.com/2025/03/25/mental-health-worker-rally-against-budget-cuts-in-a-march-on-city-hall/

March 29, 2025

Boston Herald. (2025, March 29). Massachusetts families ‘at risk’ under Gov. Healey’s proposed mental health cuts, more lives lost [Article]. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/03/29/massachusetts-families-at-risk-under-gov-healeys-proposed-mental-health-cuts-more-lives-lost/

March 30, 2025

MassLive. (2025, March 30). Mass. eyes cuts to only residential mental health program for children [Article]. https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/03/mass-eyes-cuts-to-only-residential-mental-health-program-for-children.html

The Boston Globe. (2025, March 30). Healey mental health cuts budget [Opinion article]. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/30/opinion/healey-mental-health-cuts-budget/

April 2, 2025

WGBH. (2025, April 2). Healey’s proposed cuts to youth mental health services alarm providers [Article]. https://www.wgbh.org/news/health/2025-04-02/healeys-proposed-cuts-to-youth-mental-health-services-alarm-providers

April 3, 2025

Boston25News. (2025). 25 Investigates: Gov. Healey’s budget cuts mental health programs at-risk kids [Article]. https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/25-investigates-gov-healeys-budget-cuts-mental-health-programs-at-risk-kids/NEGIVX6N55G2HIMCMI3MZOI5B4/