Our Programs
Internationally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports the single biggest risk factor for suicide is the lack of connectedness to family, friends and community.
For more than thirty years, Rhode Islanders have stayed “connected” to The Samaritans. Our volunteers and programs do not replace professional medical, mental health, social service or pastoral care but provide an important continuity of medical and behavioral health care and supportive services between appointments or when family and friends are not available.
24 Hour Hotline/Listening Line
(Est. 1977) Through our Crisis Hotline/Listening Line Program, trained volunteers have used non-judgmental, non-religious befriending skills to ease the emotional pain or crisis of more than 500,000 callers of all ages who are lonely, depressed, suicidal or seeking information to help a family member or friends. As requested, callers can be referred to our community partners for professional mental health services. All calls are confidential and anonymous. Our Crisis Hotline/Listening Line is open 24/7 depending on the hourly/daily availability of volunteers.
Safe Place Support Group
(Est. 1981) There’s a Safe Place to talk each Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Our support group provides a non-threatening environment where caring people who have experienced loss through suicide can share their feelings.
It is a self-help model in which members help each other through mutual understanding and support. This free program is open to adult family members, close friends and co-workers of people who have died by suicide.
Youth Education
(Est. 1986) The Samaritan of RI is mandated by the RI General Laws to provide school based suicide prevention education. Today, we provide suicide prevention education and supportive services for teens, young adults, parents, teachers, and agencies serving children, youth and families in a variety of ways.
Outreach and Community Education
(Est. 1977) Each year, The Samaritans’ work to prevent suicides by providing presentations to raise public awareness of suicide and its risk factors. These presentations include a growing effort to reach out to special populations including youth, the elderly, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. Call to schedule a presentation.
LifeLine
Originally started in 1989, Lifeline is a partnership of the RI Department of Corrections and The Samaritans of RI, the state’s most trusted name in suicide prevention.
LifeLine is a peer to peer befriending program designed to provide new inmates with information which will help to lessen their anxiety, which is a result of incarceration and to serve as a peer outreach, awareness and referral for treatment effort before inmates become suicidal.
Suicide Prevention Resources for Rhode Island Residents
Enter the name of your city or town for local resources.
