The most recent studies published by the CDC reveal that in 2024 over 48,000 Americans died by suicide. Suicide can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, racial/ethnic background, or socioeconomic status. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) designates 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 11th leading cause of death in adults in the United States and the second leading cause for individuals ages 10-34, suicide remains a significant public health concern. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is essential to shed light on resources available to those who may be struggling. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 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, text, or chat 988 to connect with trained crisis counselors and access appropriate resources. 

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. 

Source: nami.org, afsp.org, trevorproject.org, qprinstitute.com

BCBSRI offers the following programs for members looking for recovery resources: 

• 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 provide 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 his/her 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.
• 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.
• Grow Therapy: Grow Therapy is a virtual behavioral health provider network and practice management platform that connects members with licensed clinicians for outpatient mental health services, including therapy and medication management. Services are provided by independently credentialed practitioners across a range of behavioral health specialties, and appointments are available via telehealth, offering convenient access to care for members.
• 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 ages seven-22 with a 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 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 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 pelagohealth.com or contact BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management at 1-800-274-2958.
• TalkSpace: TalkSpace is a virtual behavioral health provider group that connects members with licensed clinicians for outpatient mental health services, including therapy and medication management. Services include behavioral health assessments, individual psychotherapy, and digital therapeutic support through text, voice, video messaging, and live video sessions. Services are available via telehealth, offering convenient access to care for members.
• 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.