For the Behavioral Health Community

Did you know? 

Most callers to The Samaritans are NOT suicidal. Most callers are in professional care.

Did you know?

Our Program Protocols complement, support and are never intended to interfere with your client’s case management:

Our Protocols

(1)All emergencies are referred to RI Emergency 911 or the nearest acute care hospital.  See Suicide Emergency Checklist.

(2) All callers are asked if they are in professional care and if the answer is yes, after befriending, we will suggest they speak with their care provider for additional support and case management. This may include a doctor, behavioral health specialist, therapist, pastor, social worker, clinician, etc.

If the answer is no – he/she is NOT in professional care – then our volunteers will suggest, as the gateway to care, callers find the trusted person they can talk to…a family member, friend, primary care doctor, pastoral care provider or health insurance provider. Other referrals from The Samaritans are RI licensed community mental health centers, 988/BH Link, community action agencies, and RI United Way 211.

None emergencies may also be referred to standard crisis and information lines including RI’s United Way 211 line, domestic violence hotline, child abuse hotline, elder abuse hotline, etc. Other referrals can be found on our City and Town pages.

We are unable to make referrals to individual behavioral health care providers.

Our callers include crisis callers; daily supported callers; callers who may have called in the past; third party callers calling on behalf of a loved one or friend as well information callers looking for information.



(3) All callers are offered befriending and are invited to call as often as needed.