Suicide can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, racial/ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) uses the month of September to shift public perception, reduce stigma, spread hope, and share vital information with those affected by suicide. NAMI’s goal is to ensure that individuals and their loved ones have access to resources related to suicide prevention, as suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. After years of advocacy and preparation, 988 is now available nationwide as the new number to contact for mental health, substance use, and suicide crises, providing a simple, easy-to-remember way for people to quickly connect with support during a crisis, 24/7, no matter where they live.

Facts about suicide: 

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the third leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
• More women than men attempt suicide, but men are four times more likely to die by suicide.
• 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
• The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Natives followed by non-Hispanic whites.
• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are nearly four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
• Transgender adults are nearly nine times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.

Source: nami.org

BCBSRI offers the following mental health programs for members:

Be Collaborative Care, Inc. Eating Disorder Treatment: This program uses comprehensive treatment and evidence-based approaches for members with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, compulsive over exercise, and ARFID. Services include intensive outpatient programs (for individuals 18 years of age and older), psychotherapy, nutrition, group therapy, and family support. Please call (401) 262-0841, visit www.becollaborativecare.com, or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management for more information at 1-800-274-2958.

BH Link: BH Link is a community-based walk-in facility which connects individuals with immediate behavioral health services and recovery supports. Services are available 24/7. Please call (401) 414-LINK for assistance.

Bradley Hospital Mindful Teen: The Mindful Teen program provides all components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents in an outpatient setting. This program serves adolescents with suicidality and/or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) who are either stepping down from or who are at risk of being admitted to a higher level of care (such as inpatient, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient). The Mindful Teen program is designed to provide adolescents with the necessary skills to manage their emotions, tolerate distress, and manage interpersonal stressors more effectively, while at the same time allowing them opportunities to practice and generalize these skills in their lives outside of treatment. Please contact (401) 432-1081 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management for more information at 1-800-274-2958.

Child and Family Intensive Services (CFIT): CFIT provides services for children and their families through a team approach that is designed to help improve level of functioning, promote a healthy lifestyle, and teach community integration skills. Providers include: The Providence Center, Community Care Alliance, Family Services of Rhode Island, Gateway Healthcare, and Thrive Behavioral Health. For referral information, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.

HealthPath: Offered through Butler Hospital, HealthPath is a home- and community-based service available to adult commercial and Medicare Advantage members which offers comprehensive behavioral health services through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, independently licensed clinicians, peer support specialists, and substance abuse specialists. For more information, please call (401) 415-8868 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.

Kids’ Link RI: A 24/7 clinical triage line to connect children and youth in crisis who are in need of mental health services. Please call 1-855-543-5465 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.

Peer Recovery Coaching: Peer Recovery coaches are individuals in recovery who have undergone extensive training to provide support to their peers. BCBSRI offers peer recovery services to commercial and Medicare Advantage members with substance use disorders.   Services are offered through Anchor Recovery, The Providence Center, Butler Hospital (Transitional Outpatient Program), East Bay Community Action Program, Fellowship Health Resources, Galilee Mission, Northeast Behavioral Associates, Thundermist Health Center, Trinity Healthy Living, and Wood River. To learn more about Peer Recovery, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.

Urgent Access Appointments: Urgent psychiatric evaluations/appointments for BCBSRI members are offered by Child & Family Psychiatry, RI CBT, Providence Behavioral Health Associates, and South County Psychiatry. The practice will follow up with the member to schedule the appointment and continue to provide treatment services for the patient as clinically indicated. Please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management for more information at 1-800-274-2958.