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Whether you or a loved one are dealing with mental health issues, geriatric-related mental health needs or substance abuse problems, Behavioral Health Services at Saint Vincent Hospital can help. We offer:

  • A full continuum of care for children, adolescents, adults and seniors
  • A Partial Hospital Program to help patients transition from inpatient to outpatient care
  • 24-hour access to emergency mental evaluation and substance abuse care

Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services

We work to provide unique, individualized care for every person who comes to us. We offer a wide range of inpatient and outpatient care for children, adolescents, adults and seniors to help heal both body and mind. Our behavioral health programs include:

  • Evaluation and Referral. 24-hour access to emergency mental evaluation or substance-abuse care with our psychiatric evaluation team.
  • Child Development Unit. A 12-bed locked, inpatient unit exclusively for children ages 3 to 17 with board-certified child psychiatrists located at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick.
  • Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit. Our 12 bed unit at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and our 28 bed unit at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick provide short-term, intensive care for patients ages 16 and older
  • Geriatric Neuropsychiatric Treatment. A 24-bed inpatient unit located at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick.
  • Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programs. Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester and MetroWest Medical Center in Natick offer partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs.

Learn More

If you’re in need of help for a psychiatric emergency, please call our 24-hour crisis assessment team at (508) 363-5003 or (508) 363-5252.

For doctors: To refer patients to our unit, please call our intake coordinator at (508) 736-4354.

Public Announcement Concerning a Proposed Health Care Project

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (“Applicant”) located at 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 900, Dallas, TX 75201 intends to file a Notice of Determination of Need (“Application”) with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for a substantial capital expenditure by Saint Vincent Hospital (“SVH”) located at 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608. The project is for the expansion of psychiatric services at SVH through renovations to accommodate seven additional inpatient psychiatric beds and add a behavioral health area to its emergency department (“Project”). The total value of the Project based on the maximum capital expenditure is $4,191,369. The Applicant does not anticipate any price or service impacts on the Applicant’s existing Patient Panel as a result of the Project. Any ten Taxpayers of Massachusetts may register in connection with the intended Application no later than 30 days of the filing of the Notice of Determination of Need by contacting the Department of Public Health, Determination of Need Program, 250 Washington Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.

More Information

15 Ways to Boost Your Mood

Your mental outlook can affect your physical condition, and your physical condition also may affect your mental health. It’s like the chicken and the egg: which comes first? It’s normal to feel sad or discouraged about certain life events. When sadness persists for longer than a few weeks without relief, you may have depression. Depression is treatable; please seek help if you have chronic feelings of hopelessness.

For less serious mood fluctuations, and for help in navigating the inevitable ups and downs of life, here are 15 things you can do to manage your mood from day to day:

  1. Stay active. Exercise, even a brisk 10 minute walk, can relieve stress and release endorphins – the feel good hormones. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. But even 10- or 15-minute increments count.
  2. Get a good night’s sleep. Inadequate sleep can increase stress and irritability. If you struggle with sleep, consider 11 tips for a good night’s rest.
  3. Talk to yourself positively. How do you view yourself? A consistent stream of negative self-talk can be detrimental. Nobody’s perfect, but give yourself the benefit of the doubt and recognize if you need an attitude adjustment.
  4. Be thankful. Gratitude is a great antidote to feeling negative, and it’s consistently linked to feelings of well-being. If you’re having trouble finding people or things to appreciate, begin a gratitude journal and periodically write down reasons to be thankful.
  5. Give back. Finding ways to help others often results in making you feel good yourself. There are many volunteer opportunities with organizations, or just look around. Carry someone’s groceries, rake leaves for an elderly neighbor or watch your friend’s children for an hour.
  6. Stay in the present. The what-if’s and if-only’s of the past and future can be paralyzing. Recognize how much time you spend outside of ‘now,’ and be realistic about what you can do about the situation. Carpe diem! (Seize the day!)
  7. Eat healthy. When you nourish your body, you nourish your brain. Protein, foods that contain vitamin B-12 (such as dark leafy greens, broccoli and oranges) and complex carbohydrates like oats, pears or beans can help keep mood elevated or stable. Junk food and sugar may satisfy in the moment, then lead to a crash.
  8. Find a friend. Friendships prevent isolation, which can have a detrimental effect on mental health. Having someone to talk with – and listen – can make all the difference in the world.
  9. Appreciate nature. A Stanford University study found that walking in nature could lead to a lower risk of depression. Any green area will do – find a park or walk around a neighborhood with trees if you don’t have ready access to wide open spaces. And, natural sunlight can also enhance your mood.
  10. Get a pet. Nothing says unconditional love like a wagging tail to greet you at the door or a purring cat to hum you to sleep. Studies show that animal companions can reduce anxiety and stress.
  11. Don’t turn to alcohol or narcotics. The temporary masking of a problem can lead to increased depression, addiction and other negative or life-threatening outcomes.
  12. Seek counseling or professional help from a therapist, clergy member, case worker or licensed mental health specialist. They can help with strategies and goal-setting to help you get your life back on track.
  13. Find a support group – if you’ve experienced a major life event, such as job loss, divorce or loss of loved one, it can be helpful to talk through your feelings with others who have been there. You are not alone.
  14. Take a class, try a new hobby, join a group that has a similar interest, or explore a new place. If you’re feeling bored and uninspired, trying something new can help you discover a new passion or talent that you weren’t aware of.
  15. Disconnect. Finally, practice some time away from screens and social media. In an always-on world, time on screens becomes the norm. However, the effect of being always connected may actually lead to social isolation. The first step is to be aware of how much time you spend on screens and what it does – or doesn’t do – for you.

Psychiatry Services