For RI’s Behavioral Health Community
Overview
The Samaritan of Rhode Island considers itself a partner with RI’s behavioral health community in our mission to prevent suicide.
The Samaritans does not replace professional medical, mental health, social service or pastoral care. However, we provide supportive services between appointments or when family and friends are not available.
Callers to our Crisis Hotline/Listening Line include Rhode Islanders in crisis; recovering from a crisis and those who have recovered from a crisis. We provide support to individuals in professional care, out of professional care and we provide support services to those for whom professional care will never be an option.
Our Program Protocols
(1)All emergencies are referred to RI Emergency 911 or the nearest acute care hospital. See Suicide Emergency Checklist.
(2) All callers are asked if they are in professional care and if the answer is yes, after befriending, we will suggest they speak with their care provider for additional support and case management. This may include a doctor, behavioral health specialist, therapist, pastor, social worker, clinician, etc.
If the answer is no – he/she is NOT in professional care – then our volunteers will suggest, as the gateway to care, callers find the trusted person they can talk to…a family member, friend, primary care doctor, pastoral care provider or health insurance provider. Other referrals from The Samaritans are RI licensed community mental health centers, community action agencies, and RI United Way 211.
None emergencies may also be referred to standard crisis and information lines including RI’s United Way 211 line, domestic violence hotline, child abuse hotline, elder abuse hotline, etc. Other referrals can be found on our City and Town pages.
We are unable to make referrals to individual behavioral health care providers.
Our callers include crisis callers; daily supported callers; callers who may have called in the past; third party callers calling on behalf of a loved one or friend as well information callers looking for information.
(3) All callers are offered befriending and are invited to call as often as needed.
Suicide Prevention Resources for Rhode Island Residents
Enter the name of your city or town for local resources.
