There’s a new resource available to people living in the East Bay and Newport County. Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) is a response team ready to assist those in crisis with their mental health or substance use, or who need supportive outreach. When you call RIO, we come to you, whether you’re in your home or out in the community.

You can call RIO for yourself or others and receive:

• Help for those experiencing emotional distress
• Support for those feeling hopeless or helpless, thinking there is nowhere to turn
• Preventative outreach to vulnerable populations (elderly or unhoused)
• Substance use recovery assistance and referrals

RIO operates three specially equipped vans, each staffed by a trained behavioral health specialist and a medical specialist. RIO can be reached through Newport Mental Health’s crisis helpline (401) 846-1213 option 1 or by calling 988. Both numbers are available 27/7/365.

Help is Confidential

RIO services are confidential, and we treat everyone, from all walks of life. RIO meets you where you are, both emotionally and physically, addressing the immediate need and connecting you to resources if requested. You can access RIO without insurance, and even without sharing your name with the team.

RIO is designed as an alternative to unnecessary hospitalization or calling law enforcement in the event of a behavioral health crisis. Examples of RIO crisis calls include an individual expressing suicidal ideation, individuals struggling with their substance use or mental health, or requests to transport the unhoused or elderly to warming/cooling shelters, among many other requests. On average, RIO engages in about 300 encounters monthly.

Help is Community Based

RIO has built trusting relationships with many community resource providers. We will, if requested, follow up with a plan geared toward your level of readiness, connecting you to local providers, advocacy groups, clinicians, or treatment programs.

RIO’s preventative outreach within the community includes being present at community meal sites, warming/cooling centers, shelters, and other neighborhood organizations that provide resources. RIO’s presence within these spaces allows us to engage with individuals and be present at the onset of a crisis, diminishing the effects by getting ahead of it.

Newport Mental Health is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC), and the RIO team is a crucial part of the organization’s outreach and support of our community. For more information, please visit newporthmentalhealth.org.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or are witnessing someone in crisis, please call 988 or (401) 846-1213, option 1. For life-threatening or medical emergencies, please call 911.