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Rhode Island

Depression resources in Rhode Island

Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, board-certified psychiatrist and the reviewer of this article.

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA·Updated March 15, 2026·About 5 minutes

A short list of public starting points for depression care in Rhode Island. Resources here are informational and not endorsements. Phone numbers, hours, eligibility rules, and program details can change, so verify with the linked agency before relying on them. Nothing on this list replaces evaluation by a licensed clinician.

Crisis support

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988. Chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day. Calls are routed by area code to a nearby crisis center when possible.
  • Rhode Island crisis line. BH Link, 1-401-414-5465, 24/7.
  • Mobile crisis teams. 988 connects callers to local crisis centers, which can coordinate mobile crisis response where county or regional systems support it. Mobile crisis availability varies by county in Rhode Island.

State mental health authority

Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals
Phone: 401-462-2339
Website: bhddh.ri.gov

The state agency that funds and oversees publicly funded mental health services in Rhode Island.

Peer education and support: NAMI Rhode Island

The National Alliance on Mental Illness state affiliate offers a helpline, peer-led support groups, and education for individuals and families. Find your local NAMI affiliate at nami.org/find-your-local-nami/.

Peer education and support: Mental Health America Rhode Island affiliates

MHA affiliates provide mental health advocacy, education, screening tools, information and referral, support groups, peer support, and community programs where available. Coverage varies by region.

Find local affiliates: mhanational.org/affiliates/

211 in Rhode Island

Dialing 211 in Rhode Island reaches the local information and referral line. 211 connects callers to housing, food, transportation, and behavioral health services in their area. Free and confidential. Find your local 211 at 211.org.

Treatment locator: SAMHSA FindSupport.gov

Federal tool for finding mental health and substance use care, treatment payment information, and guidance for helping someone else find treatment.

Phone: 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727), 24/7, free, confidential
Website: samhsa.gov/find-support

Medicaid and public insurance behavioral health

Rhode Island Medicaid Behavioral Health covers behavioral health services for eligible Rhode Island residents. The provider locator on the linked page lists in-network clinicians.

University and academic medical center options

Academic medical centers often run specialty programs for treatment-resistant depression, mood disorders, and clinical trials. Many accept community referrals.

Veterans-specific resources

Veterans in Rhode Island can find the closest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center and behavioral health services through the VA facility locator. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

Telepsychiatry availability

Licensed telepsychiatry is available in Rhode Island through providers including shrinkMD, where clinically appropriate. Telepsychiatry appointments are full psychiatric evaluations conducted by licensed clinicians.

Telepsychiatry services are subject to state licensing requirements. A clinician must hold an active license in the state where the patient is physically located at the time of the appointment. Listed practices may not be available in all states. Contact each practice for current state availability.

Controlled substances and telemedicine. Federal and state rules for controlled-substance prescribing by telemedicine are complex and may change. Clinicians must follow current federal and state law. Controlled substances include benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan), and stimulants such as methylphenidate and the amphetamine salts used for ADHD. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, and others) aren't controlled substances and aren't subject to those rules. A telepsychiatry clinician should explain which medications they can and can't prescribe in Rhode Island before treatment begins.

Disclosure (FTC § 255). shrinkMD is a multistate telepsychiatry practice operated by an affiliate of shrinkMD Publishing, LLC, which publishes this site. The editor of this site, Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, is the founder of shrinkMD and has a financial interest in it. shrinkMD is listed here as one of several resources, not as a recommendation. The site receives no fee, commission, or referral revenue for listing shrinkMD or any other practice.

Frequently asked questions about depression care in Rhode Island

Does Medicaid cover therapy in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island Medicaid Behavioral Health covers medically necessary outpatient mental health services, including therapy and psychiatric medication management, for eligible residents. Coverage details, copays, and the list of in-network clinicians vary by managed care plan. Start with Rhode Island Medicaid Behavioral Health at https://eohhs.ri.gov/consumer/medicaid-programs or call your plan directly.
What's the fastest way to find a psychiatrist in Rhode Island?
Most people who find a psychiatrist quickly in Rhode Island use three lanes at once. Call your insurance plan and request the in-network behavioral health provider list, search Psychology Today and SAMHSA FindSupport.gov for clinicians who match your insurance, and call several offices the same day. Many practices also offer licensed telepsychiatry, which can shorten the wait. See the How to find a therapist guide for the full script.
Are telepsychiatry visits allowed in Rhode Island?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is legal in Rhode Island when delivered by a clinician who holds an active license in Rhode Island at the time of the appointment. Federal and state rules for controlled-substance prescribing by telemedicine are complex and may change; clinicians must follow current federal and state law. Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, and others) aren't controlled substances and aren't subject to those rules.
What number do I call in Rhode Island for a mental health emergency?
Call or text 988 from anywhere in Rhode Island to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; the call is routed to a nearby crisis center when possible. You can also use the state crisis line: BH Link, 1-401-414-5465, 24/7. If you may be in immediate danger or someone is seriously injured, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Next step after a state resource

Most patients start with one of the directories above and call several clinicians before they find one. The How to find a therapist guide walks through the steps and gives a script for the first call.

For anxiety resources in Rhode Island, see our sister publication AnxietyResource.org.

Last reviewed March 15, 2026.

Every clinical page on DepressionResource.org is written in plain language, dated, and reviewed by a board-certified psychiatrist against current clinical guidelines. See our editorial standards and medical review process.