Heads Up: On October 4 You Will Get An Emergency Test Alert On Your Phone
This is a test. This is only a test. You’ve heard that a million times on your radio and your TV. And as that alert has always told you, “federal,…
This is a test. This is only a test. You've heard that a million times on your radio and your TV. And as that alert has always told you, "federal, state and local authorities have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of an emergency." Well, here's a heads up: On October 4 you will get an emergency test alert on your PHONE.
This is only the second time authorities will be issuing this text/test alert on cell phones across America. It's a nationwide test ordered by the federal government. So, on October 4, 2023 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) will team up with the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts to test our phones, according to MassLive.
What Will It Say And Sound Like?
FEMA reports that this is actually a 2 part test. It's scheduled to alert our radios and TVs at 2:00pm EST. And the test should last about 60 seconds. What you will hear is the following: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
For cell phone users, it will be a WEA Test (Wireless Emergency Alert), where we will receive a text message. It's all just to make sure everything runs smoothly, in the case of an actual emergency. Being prepared leads to less confusion, which on a grand scale national level is certainly vital. FEMA also warned that if the October 4 test has to be postponed because of "widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.”
Your cell phone should only get one test text. And just so you know, in advance, the message will say: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” And by the way, your phone will sound an alert, even if it's silenced. Everyone, including those with disabilities, will get a unique tone and vibration. This won't be your usual text message sound, so you know it's an emergency alert.
Charlie Baker is set to leave the office of Governor tomorrow. Before leaving, the 2 term governor set into place his Roadmap for Behavorial Health Reform Plan.
The plan includes a new 24/7 free crisis helpline. It also includes 25 new community behavioral health centers. In a statement released yesterday to the press, Baker said "“Over the past eight years, our administration has worked in partnership with providers, clinicians, and communities to strengthen capacity and access in the behavioral health system."
Below, you will find all the details about the helpline as well as where to find the community centers. The centers are located throughout the state, serving the towns they are in as well as communites around them. The state is ready to address what has become a global problem, mental health, and aims to take the stigma out of getting help.
The Helpline
If you are a Massachusetts resident and have mental health or substance use concerns, you can now call or text a 24/7 helpline. It's free and confidential. Residents can call or text 833-773-2445 (BHHL), even if you don't have insurance. You can also use the online chat at masshelpline.com.
Danna Mauch, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, said in a statement Tuesday “The first-ever Behavioral Health Help Line is for all of us regardless of insurance and is designed as a 24/7 gateway to care system navigation — ensuring timely access to urgent care and robust crisis services integrated with Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) and designated primary and specialty care practices,”
CBHC: Community Behavioral Healthcare Centers
According to boston.com, "The cornerstone of the roadmap is the opening of 25 new CBHCs, which are specially-designated mental health clinics that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse disorder services. These clinics are meant to be an entry point for behavioral health services for residents of all income levels and legal status, the release said. To make this possible, they receive state funding and offer alternative payment models to make such services affordable."
Where Are The Healthcare Centers?
According to mass.gov, "CBHCs provide routine and urgnet outpatient services, crisis services, and community crisis services." They are available to everyone, regardless of insurance. You'll find a complete directory of CBHC locations HERE.
Here are the towns where you will find a CBHC serving their surrounding communities:
* Bedford
* Boston
* Brockton
* Cambridge
* Chicopee
* Danvers
* East Boston
* Fall River
* Framingham
* Gardner
* Greenfield
* Hyannis
* Lawrence
* Leominster
* Lowell
* Lynn
* Milford
* Nantucket
* Northhampton
* Norwood
* Pittsfield
* Plymouth
* Quincy
* Springfield
* Taunton
* Waltham
* Westfield
* Worcester
Answers to your Helpline Questions
You'll find more details about this free, new service, open to everyone here:
