Peers are other people with mental health conditions — sometimes these supports are called mutual-aid groups. These are some excellent peer-run and mutual-aid programs for mental health.
NAMI offers peer support groups, alternatives to suicide support groups, peer support classes, recovery learning communities, young adult access centers (which offer peer support, arts, social activities, and connections to housing, employment, and education resources in a space that is welcoming and safe), and peer led respite programs where people can stay for 5–7 days during a crisis. The link for Massachusetts’ chapter is: https://namimass.org/peer-support/
HeySam is a peer-to-peer texting service for people up to 24 years old. Text 439-726 to reach out to a peer who is 18–24 years old.
The Wildflower Alliance is a grassroots Peer Support, Advocacy, and Training organization with a focus on harm reduction and human rights in Western MA. They also have peer-lead Alt2Su groups in person, offer 1:1 peer support services, peer respite programs (where you can live for a short time with supports from peers), and have open center hours with employment, education, and recreational activities and programming. Alt2Su are groups run by and for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, actions, or past attempts.
Alt2Su Connecticut also has online Alt2Su peer support groups for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, actions or past attempts. People are encouraged to come during times of crisis and strength. For more information about their approach and values, please take a look at the Alternatives to Suicide group charter — as originally developed by the Wildflower Alliance, a peer-run organization in western Massachusetts.
There are also free online support groups and message boards that are moderated (so that they remove bullying or hateful comments) and are free.