NAMI Block Island is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to advocate for mental health services being brought to the island, to enable education about mental illness and wellness in the community and to join others in supporting the families of persons with mental illness.
[Note: we do not provide mental health services, we advocate and inform only]
QPR Suicide Prevention Training – Question Persuade Refer
Ask at the Island Free Library for details. The trainings are 75 minutes long and are being offered in person at the Island Free Library and on Zoom. The trainings are free to anyone! Thanks IFL.
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Covid-19 pandemic:
Dr. Warcup updates and advice Block Island Medical Center
RI COVID -19 Information
Información sobre el COVID-19 en R
NAMI BI wants to reach out to all the community during this difficult time so that isolation does not make loneliness and depression worse. The Medical Center [401-466-2974] can address mental health issues and direct people to island resources. All are welcome to communicate with members of the Board – see who we are here and how to reach us.
The services page enables contact with psychotherapy and counseling health providers, some of whom provide telehealth consultations. If you just want to talk, contact Jim Hinthorn on 401-862-3638 or send an email though “Contact” and we will reply. Also remember that in a crisis text to 741741 brings a response and the suicide lifeline is at 1-800-273-8255.
Young People – services on BI
Children and adolescents on Block Island can now receive telehealth psychiatric help similar to that which has been available for adults for some years. A Child and Adolescent telepsychiatry service is provided by Bradley Hospital and accessed through Tracy Fredericks, Case Manager, (207-229-6349). Psychotherapy and counselling services can also be accessed through the Medical Centre. Both services assess and will direct to the type of help most appropriate.
There are also many helpful and informative materials being developed to assist young people and families who might be experiencing additional stress during Covid. Please use the Kids Link and BH Link in materials that offer resources. Children under 18: Call kids’ link RI: 1-855-543-5465.
Adults
The services page enables contact with psychotherapy and counseling health providers, some of whom provide telehealth consultations. If you just want to talk, contact Jim Hinthorn on 401-862-3638 or send an email though “Contact” and we will reply. Also remember that in a crisis text to 741741 brings a response and the suicide lifeline is at 1-800-273-8255.
Also, you can call or visit RI’s 24/7 BH Link Crisis Center: BH Link is a statewide, confidential, one-stop, call-in, triage, treatment, and referral center for adults, 18 and older, who are experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis. It is Located at: 975 Waterman Avenue in East Providence, RIPTA Bus Route 34 orwww.bhlink.org. Call any day, anytime: 401-414-LINK (414-5465)
NAMI Rhode Island offers support groups, now through online streaming platforms. Click for details and how to access.
Family Support for people who have close connection with a person suffering from a mental illness are available through Zoom from NAMi Rhode Island. Details and how to join are here.
Stay safe, be well. Reach out to any of us in the Block Island community.
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NAMI BI is a non-profit that advocates and campaigns for the improvement of mental health services on the island, brings awareness and information to the community via ongoing events and conversations.
[Note: we do not provide mental health services, see BI Medical Center, or contact the Case Manager for the Telemedicine Psychiatric Service]
We also recognize the crossover with addictions, and developing understanding of dual diagnosis issues, and work cooperatively with prevention programs on the island.
EMERGENCY: Call 911.
Give as much information as possible so that responders are prepared for a mental health issue. Detail e.g. no firearms visible, noise nuisance, damage to property, safety of ill person self or other… because…
If you need help but not in emergency, see the Services page, or phone 207-229-6349, on-island. Also remember The Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anonymous, is 1-800-273-8255. Also you can look up Suicide Prevention QPR.
Events that took place before COVID-19 restrictions can be found in various places on this website. It should be stressed that we don’t just do “events”. Much of our work is advocacy, and cooperative effort with other agencies enabling our aims. See “about” us. or our most recent annual report or The Archive of past events.]
There are several ways in which the community can be involved. Look at “Can You Help“. Join in Community Conversations, reach out to Board members – or come to a Board meeting. You might join the Board, there is no special qualification or prior experience needed though anyone who has organizing skill is much appreciated. Come to the BI NAMI events that are advertised in The Block Island Times and on the Block Island Bulletin Board. Make contact or comment in the community posts. You might like to write a post – please ask. You might have found an article of interest – please send.
See how we have succeeded so far, here.
Mental Health, Mental Illness, on Block Island 