MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF RHODE ISLAND

MHARI'S WORK IMPROVES AND EXPANDS ACCESS TO THE STATE'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. WE BRING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER TO DISCUSS BARRIERS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE AND DEVELOP LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY SOLUTIONS. WE TESTIFY ON A FEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION EACH YEAR DURING THE MONTHS OF FEBRUARY THROUGH MAY. OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE STATE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE 988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE, STRENGTHENING THE STATE'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM OF CARE, PROMOTING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH, AND ADVANCING POLICIES THAT ENSURE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES CAN LIVE, WORK, AND RECEIVE SERVICES IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTINGS.THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EVENTS, AND COMMUNICATIONSPARTICULARLY DURING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTHWE RAISE AWARENESS, REDUCE STIGMA, AND PROMOTE EARLY INTERVENTION. OUR YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LIAISON (YBHL) PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO FAMILIES NAVIGATING THE CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, HELPING THEM ACCESS TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE CARE THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED ASSISTANCE AND WEEKLY VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS. THE YBHL ALSO DISTRIBUTES MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS WITH RESOURCES AND WELLNESS TOOLS TO EDUCATORS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. MHARI PROVIDES FREE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND ACROSS THE STATE. LASTLY, THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS BRAVE VOICES, BOLD IMPACT AND OUR FORTHCOMING CONSUMER ADVISORY COUNCIL, MHARI ELEVATES THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. THESE EFFORTS ENSURE THAT THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM HAVE A MEANINGFUL VOICE IN SHAPING IT.