The most recent studies published by the CDC reveal that in 2023 more than 49,000 Americans died by suicide, and over 1.5 million attempted suicide. Suicide can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, racial/ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) designates the month of September as a time to raise public awareness around suicide, reduce stigma, spread hope, and share vital information with individuals and communities affected by suicide.
As the 10th leading cause of death in adults in the United States and the third leading cause for adolescents, it is essential to shed light on resources available to those who may be struggling during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The 988 emergency helpline is now available 24/7 nationwide, providing individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges, substance use challenges, or suicide crises with immediate access to appropriate support and resources. Any individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis is encouraged to call this helpline.
QPR Institute is a suicide prevention organization that offers innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training to professionals working in high-risk environments to equip them with the appropriate tools to recognize signs of suicidal behavior. To learn more about the training and education QPR offers, please visit their website here.
Sources: nami.org, afsp.org, trevorproject.org, qprinstitute.com
BCBSRI offers the following mental health treatment programs for members:
Be Collaborative Care, Inc. Eating Disorder Treatment: Be Collaborative treats members struggling 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. Services are available to commercial members. Please 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 crisis facility which offers immediate assistance to members experiencing a behavioral health crisis. A team of registered nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, phone screeners, and peer specialists provides innovative crisis intervention services for up to 23 hours followed by connection to ongoing treatment if needed. Services are available to commercial members. Please call (401) 414-LINK for assistance.
Child and Family Intensive Services (CFIT): CFIT provides services for children and their families through a team approach that is designed to engage the member and their family by improving level of functioning, promoting healthy lifestyles, and teaching community integration skills. Services are available to commercial members. To find an in-network provider offering CFIT services, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
CODAC Behavioral Healthcare Opioid Center of Excellence: Through the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and care management services, CODAC provides the tools necessary for recovery for members struggling with opioid use disorder. For more information, call (401) 275-5039 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
Equip: Equip is a virtual, evidence-based service for individuals experiencing symptoms of eating disorders. Multidisciplinary care teams support individuals and their families to achieve lasting recovery at home. Services are available to commercial members. Please contact Equip directly at 1-855-695-4003 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management for more information at 1-800-274-2958.
Headway: Headway is a provider group that delivers quality mental healthcare to both children and adults by connecting members with providers quickly and efficiently. Headway matches providers with members based on their geographic location, demographic information, care delivery preferences, and diagnosis/concerns. Services are available to commercial and Medicare Advantage members. Please call 1-888-863-7889 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958 for more information.
HealthPath: Offered through Butler Hospital, HealthPath is a home and community-based service available to adult commercial and Medicare Advantage members that 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.
InStride: InStride Health is a virtual behavioral health service that provides evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a focus on exposure response prevention therapy (ERP). Services are available to commercial members aged 7-22 with primary diagnosis of anxiety and/or OCD. For more information, please call 1-855-438-8331 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 in need of mental health services. Services are available to commercial members. Please call 1-855-543-5465 or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
Mobile Crisis: Mobile Crisis services provide immediate access to care for children and youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis, utilizing the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) model. Services are available to commercial members. To find an in-network provider offering mobile crisis services, please contact Behavioral Health Care Management at 1-800-274-2958.
NOCD: NOCD is a virtual therapy service that treats individuals with OCD, anxiety, and other related diagnoses. In addition to therapy, NODC offers 24/7 support service including messaging with a therapist, in-app tools and exercises, and more. Services are available to commercial members. For more information, please visit their website at treatmyocd.com or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
Peer Recovery Coaching: Peer recovery coaches are individuals with lived experience 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. To find an in-network provider offering peer recovery services, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
Pelago: Pelago is a virtual substance use management provider that supports teenagers over age 15 (16 and above for Opioid treatment) and adults with personalized substance use management and treatment. Staffed by a nationwide network of physicians, nurse practitioners, recovery coaches, and drug and alcohol counselors, Pelago uses technology-enabled clinical care delivery methods to treat substance use conditions. Services are available to commercial members. For more information, please visit their website at pelagohealth.com or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
Urgent Access Appointments: BCBSRI has collaborated with providers throughout Rhode Island to ensure that our members have access to urgent appointments for behavioral health needs, such as outpatient therapy and medication management. These providers have dedicated time slots available exclusively for commercial and Medicare Advantage BCBSRI members. To find a provider with urgent access availability, please contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958 for assistance.