Health Resources in Action

03/31/2026

Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2026 may be coming to an end, but support for problem gambling remains available 24/7 through the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline.

Operated by HRiA, the MA Problem Gambling Helpline connects people to trusted services and support across Massachusetts and helps them find the right resources for their needs. Services are free, confidential, and available in over 150 languages, making it easier for residents of all backgrounds to get the support they deserve.

The newly refreshed website helps visitors explore options, take the quick 5‑question gambling screener, and reach trained Specialists any time.

Residents can connect in the way that works best for them:
📞 Call 800‑327‑5050
💬 Text “GAMB” to 800‑327‑5050
💻 Chat online

Explore the updated site:
🔗 https://maproblemgamblinghelpline.org/

Find help for yourself Problem gambling can be treated – and there’s help available. You deserve support, and the Helpline is here so you don’t have to do it alone. Find help for someone else If your loved one is struggling with problem gambling, the Helpline is here for you too. We’ll help ...

02/20/2026

Did you know?

HRiA produces and directs the creative for our substance use helplines.

Take a look behind the scenes of our new Vermont Helplink campaign!

Each campaign is a collaborative effort that centers real voices and real stories. Our team:

- Crafts the overall narrative and approach,
- Connects with individuals who generously share their experiences,
- Finds filming locations that reflect the heart of the community,
- Conducts interviews that honor each person’s journey,
- Edits footage to amplify authenticity and dignity,
- And so much more.

We bring together health communications and harm reduction expertise to produce materials that are respectful, hopeful, and human. By embedding joy and trust into every frame, we aim to reflect the safe, affirming experience people can expect when they connect with our Helpline screening specialists.

Want to see an example of what this work looks like in action?

Here’s one of the newly released VT Helplink videos, an illustration of the kind of thoughtful, community‑centered storytelling our production campaigns deliver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBzy7FGRJA

01/19/2026

"We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from HRiA!

12/25/2025

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie

12/24/2025

Out of office! 😴

HRiA will be closed from December 25th through January 1st for a week of collective rest and relaxation.

Meanwhile, our Helplines remain open and operational as scheduled.

See you in 2026!

11/27/2025

HRiA is closed in observance of Thanksgiving.

While we take this time to reflect and give thanks, our Substance Use and Problem Gambling Helplines remain available 24/7. If you or someone you know needs help, call or visit:

📞 MA Substance Use Helpline: 800-327-5050
📞 MA Problem Gambling Helpline: 800-426-1234
📞 Vermont Helplink: 802-565-LINK
📞 Illinois Helpline for Substance Use and Problem Gambling: 833-234-6343

We’re also excited to share Vermont Helplink’s new video about compassionate care and connection. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBzy7FGRJA

Finally, we are deeply grateful for our Helpline specialists, who provide unwavering support every day of the year.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/18/2025

Resource Alert: Supporting Young Minds 🧠

Mental Health America's toolkit helps youth and adult allies navigate mental health challenges and build resilience. From affirmations and crisis posters to classroom activities and advocacy guides, these free resources are designed to spark hope and action.

🔗 Explore the toolkit:

Young people today are navigating a world that often feels overwhelming and out of their control. But with the right support, they can move from feelings of helplessness to hope and action. Adult allies (parents, caregivers, educators, mentors, or community leaders) play a powerful role in shaping e...

11/13/2025

How do we build a workforce ready to tackle gambling-related harm?

In Massachusetts, the answer starts with equipping providers with the tools and training they need to identify and address problem gambling early. Through the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment (M-TAC), HRiA is helping organizations scale up screening efforts while strengthening workforce skills to deliver culturally responsive services.

By focusing on practical strategies, M-TAC is creating a stronger, more prepared behavioral health system for individuals and families across the state.

🔗 Read the full impact story, "Building statewide capacity for problem gambling treatment:" https://hria.org/impact-stories/m-tac/

11/05/2025

Community Fridges: A Grassroots Solution to Food Insecurity

Community fridges are popping up across the country, offering a simple yet powerful way to support neighbors in need. These public refrigerators operate on a “take what you need, leave what you can” model—providing free access to fresh food, water, and other essentials 24/7.

Why they matter:

- Food justice: They fill gaps in traditional food assistance systems, offering low-barrier access to nourishment.
- Waste reduction: By redistributing surplus food, they help combat the 40% of food that goes uneaten in the U.S.
- Climate resilience: Some fridges even provide water and cooling supplies during heat waves.
- Community care: Rooted in mutual aid, they foster connection, dignity, and shared responsibility.

In neighborhoods like Allston–Brighton in Boston, volunteers are keeping fridges stocked with fresh produce, home-cooked meals, and resources to support health and well-being.
Community fridges show how everyday acts of sharing can build stronger, more equitable communities.

🔗 Read more about community fridges: https://www.nourishingneighbors.com/articles/29-community-fridges-find

Hunger knows no zip code--food insecurity is found in every community. One of the best ways to tackle it, then, is through

10/29/2025

What does dysfunction look like inside an organization?

HRiA’s leadership effectiveness framework helps teams recognize when leadership, systems, and strategy are out of sync. Some signs include:

- Staff members are unclear about how decisions get made
- Teams feel disconnected or siloed
- Priorities shift without explanation, leaving staff confused

These patterns can quietly undermine trust, performance, and equity. HRiA works with organizations to realign leadership, operations, and strategy—building clarity, accountability, and resilience.

For more, read our impact story: https://hria.org/impact-stories/leadership-for-organizational-effectivness/

10/16/2025

How do you make to***co prevention stick?

HRiA’s approach works because it’s built on long-term partnerships, youth leadership, and clear messaging that calls out the root causes, like targeted industry tactics.

Their story shows how policy and systems change can lead to real, lasting impact.

📖 Read the full piece to see how it all comes together: https://hria.org/impact-stories/to***co/

HRiA and partners embrace policy, systems, and environmental change approaches to address to***co-related inequities.