MGH Social Service

The Social Service Department staff serves many different areas throughout the hospital. Clinical social workers are licensed mental health professionals trained to help people find solutions to life’s many stressors. Click here to see what Clinical Social Workers do at Mass General .

The information below includes a brief description of Social Service programs and their contact information. If you require further information, please call 617-726-2643.

Adult In-Patient Medicine/Surgery and Psychiatry

The In-Patient Medical/ Surgical / Psychiatric Social Workers help patients and families on adult in-patient floors. In-patient Social workers serve as part of the medical team and specialize in helping patients and families understand and adjust to the impact an illness has on their emotional, physical, social, financial, and occupational well being. In-patient Medical/ Surgical/Psychiatric Social Workers can be reached through the staff on a patient's floor or by calling the Social Work Department at 617-726-2643.

Intimate Partner Abuse & The HAVEN Program

The mission of HAVEN at MGH is to improve and enhance the Mass General response to patients and employees impacted by intimate partner abuse. Advocates at the main campus and the health centers in Chelsea, Revere, and Charlestown, provide voluntary services which may include: risk assessments, safety planning, individual and group support, referral and linkage with community resources. Employees seeking assistance can call the Employee Assistance Domestic Violence Specialist housed in the EAP at 726-6976. HAVEN staff provide consultations and trainings throughout the hospital and Mass General communities. For information or to make a referral call 617-724-0054.

You can also visit us on the web at http://www.mghpcs.org/socialservice/programs/haven/

Emergency Department

The Emergency Department social workers are part of the interdisciplinary team in the Emergency department. They are on-site from 8:30AM -11:-00PM seven days a week. To reach a social worker for emergencies during any off-shift, please page them through the hospital operator.

The Mass General Department of Social Service provides 24 hour on-call coverage for the Emergency Department and inpatient services at Mass General.

Women and Children Team

Obstetrics
Obstetric Social Workers are clinical social workers who provide ongoing counseling and emotional support to women and their families throughout the pregnancy and post-partum period. In addition the social workers help to explore options, improve coping skills and provide resources.

As members of the health care team, social workers collaborate with other team members to address any problems that might affect the health and well-being of mothers, babies, and families. For inpatient and outpatient social work services please call 617-726-2643.

Pediatrics
Pediatric social workers specialize in the psychosocial issues related to childrens' health. We realize that the illness of a child impacts the entire family. As trained clinicians, we are able to evaluate and address the unique needs of each family and provide emotional support and help in obtaining resources. In addition, we can offer advocacy, crisis intervention, information and referral, and individual counseling. We serve both the in-patient and out-patient pediatric population and can be reached by calling 617-726-2643.

Oncology

Oncology social workers listen and provide support and guidance to patients and families living with cancer. In addition to individual and family counseling, social workers offer support groups and referrals to hospital and community resources. For more information ask for the social worker on your treatment team. You may also call the Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Resource Room at 617-724-1822.

The Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Resource Room

The Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Resource Room is located on the 8th floor Suite C of the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care. Here you will find welcoming staff and information on all aspects of cancer care as well as hospital and community resources. Please stop by or call us at 617-724-1822. We are open 9-5 Monday through Friday.

You can also visit us on the web at www.massgeneral.org/cancer/crr.

Network for Patients and Families

The Network is a peer support program for patients, families and friends who are living with, through and beyond cancer. The Network offers support and builds a community of cancer survivors through information and member activities:

Peer Matching Program for One-to-One Support

Annual Survivorship Conference for Survivors, Families, and Friends

Member Support and Education Meetings

To be matched with a peer or join the Network, contact:

Paula Gauthier, LICSW
Program Coordinator
pgauthier@partners.org
617-643-1784

The HOPES Program

The HOPES Program offers a variety of emotional and educational support seminars. We believe this is a vital part of the care the Mass General Cancer Center provides. Past programs have included information on clinical trials, eating hints and relaxing with yoga. Check out our monthly calendars for a current listing of this month's programs.

You can also visit us on the web at http://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/hopes/default.aspx

Palliative Care

The Palliative Care Service is a hospital-based, medical support program offering consultation and care for patients and families facing a life-threatening or terminal illness. A clinical social worker is part of an interdisciplinary team that can provide services through a continuum of settings: inpatient, outpatient and in the home. Care focuses on the physical, emotional and spiritual comfort of the patient and family. The Palliative Care Team's main number is 617-724-9197.

Transplant/ Dialysis

Social Workers are part of the multi-disciplinary team available to you throughout the transplant / dialysis process. During the evaluation phase we will get to know you and your family in order to identify any areas of concern that may present themselves throughout the course of transplantation/dialysis. We are aware that the process is often complicated and difficult. We will work with you and your family to help find effective ways of making the experience as smooth as possible.

We are available to help find resources and to help you cope with stresses related to your illness. We provide supportive counseling to both patients and families. We also work with groups to provide education and support. If you need to contact a social worker, please call the social work department at 617-726-2643.

Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Clinic social workers provide case management and mental health services. Referrals are made through the Infectious Disease Clinic or through an individual's Primary Care Physician. For individuals that are HIV involved, support is provided for initial diagnosis, adjusting to chronic illness, bereavement, and long-term survivor issues (to name just a few). Support is also provided for partners and family members (who may not be HIV infected). Individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy are provided.

HIV/AIDS Support Groups

Outpatient Mental Health Team

The social workers on the Outpatient Mental Health Team provide individual, couples, family and group therapy to adult Mass General patients.

Our social workers have sub- specialities in: neurological disorders, primary care social work and geriatric care. In order to be eligible for these services patients need to have insurance that covers outpatient counseling or therapy. To make a referral please call 617-726-2643 and ask for the Intake social worker.

Patient Care Resources

The Patient Care Resource social worker provides assistance to Mass General providers and to patients and families who are referred by Mass General providers for:

Assessment and referral for specific social service and hospital-based programs such as: patient financial services and pharmacy. assessment and referral for community-based resources, including access to transportation, accommodations, housing, disability applications, financial assistance, home care services and food programs. To speak with the Patient Care Resources social worker, please call the Social Service Department at
617-726-2643.