Local organizations remind Rhode Islanders of National Suicide Prevention Month

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — September is National Suicide Prevention Month and organizations in Rhode Island want people to know that they are always there to help before it’s too late.

“The best that we can do is love the people that we care for and provide the support that we can,” Administrative Director at BHLink and 988 Call Center Joe Ash said.

BHLink said it is an alternative to the emergency room for adults in a behavioral health crisis, while the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call Center is available for all ages.

Since its launch in 2022, Rhode Island 988 crisis counselors have answered more than 33,000 calls.

“I can say within the first year of the launch of 988 our volume in calls doubled in proportion, we’ve seen substantial increases in the amount of people who are using the line,” Ash said.

On Sept. 3 an hours-long standoff between police and Neil Douglas in Cranston ended with Douglas taking his own life. police said was battling an illness.

Police said Douglas shot at his wife, who survived, and officers, and added he was “battling an illness.”

“Having resources that support folks who are dealing with domestic violence, having resources that can both engage in prevention of suicide and also crisis intervention; they are not luxuries, they are essential and vital to our community,” Ash said.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence shared a statement that said in part:

We are relieved that the victim was able to escape to safety and call for help. Sadly, this is not always the case, as domestic violence and firearms are too often a deadly combination. A victim is five times more likely to be killed in a domestic violence situation when a firearm is present.

“As we have these conversations and we have these awareness months, I think it’s important the conversation continue beyond these moments,” Ash said.

Sept. 8 is the first annual national 988 Day, aiming to raise awareness around the prevention of suicide.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling 988, while the domestic violence help line can be reached at 800-494-8100.