If you are thinking of calling 911 for someone experiencing a mental health crisis, don’t – there are better options to get immediate help.

For example: Your young adult son is clearly in distress, often sleeping, but showing extreme anxiety and agitation when awake. Can’t hold a job, go to classes, or seem to connect or get along with anyone. At this moment he is drunk and punching a wall at home, tired of people trying to help him or asking what’s wrong. What to do? Let him sleep it off? Is he truly a suicide risk? Will calling 911 be a good choice?

Not in this case, no. Unless that person is in imminent danger of hurting himself or others 911 is for police and medical emergencies – not for mental health issues.

Mary Alexandre and Jaime Lehane

When someone is in clear emotional distress there are two other, more appropriate options.

• One is to call 988 – the national suicide and mental health crisis line, which is available in all 50 states and administered in R.I. through BH Link and Horizon Healthcare Partners, (HHP is a Newport Mental Health Partner).

988 was established to streamline help and resources for people with mental health needs, which skyrocketed during the pandemic and still permeates, post-pandemic. Our own Sen. Jack Reed was instrumental in supporting and funding the 988 system. BH Link has 24-hour crisis beds, and they know where all of the mental health and substance use resources are available.

• Better yet, if you are a resident of Newport County, the second option is to call Newport Mental Health. We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 401-846-1213.

We offer a same-day assessment and a robust array of mental health and substance use disorder services. When you contact Newport Mental Health, our clinicians will assess the situation you are in and get the help you need whether it’s at Newport Mental Health or at another more appropriate provider.

We have two layers of crisis response at Newport Mental Health. Our children’s and adult mobile crisis mental health professionals, on staff during extended office hours, are master’s level clinicians who will respond within an hour or less.

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Our new RI Outreach teams are working “on the road” in Bristol County, Newport County and East Providence. They reach people in the community who need help hopefully before a full-blown crisis, are a supportive presence, and can also respond to a crisis situation. Each RIO team has a medical specialist and mental health counselor. They are the first responders for the new 988 system when there is a behavioral health crisis. They can make sure it isn’t a medical emergency, deescalate the crisis, assess the person’s needs, and help connect them to the care they need. They can even transport to the BH Links crisis beds, detox or other alternative treatment settings. The RIO teams are on the road from 10 am to 11 pm 7 days a week.

Because it can “take a village” to help those struggling with mental health conditions, we are enhancing community partnerships with groups such as CODAC, Newport Hospital, Child & Family, Hope Recovery Center, Trinity Healthy Living – so everyone will get the appropriate help they need, at the right place and the right time.

Those with time-sensitive, but not emergent, healthcare issues can also be seen without an appointment during our Walk-In hours at Newport Mental Health’s 127 Johnny Cake Hill Road, Middletown location for adults Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for children, at 42 Valley Road Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jamie Lehane is president and CEO of Newport Mental Health in Middletown. Peace of Mind, which is co-written with Mary Alexandre, runs in The Daily News and online at newportri.com.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Resources in Newport County during a mental health crisis

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