BH LINK IS A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO RHODE ISLANDER’S IN NEED.
BH Link provides innovative crisis intervention services and connecting people to ongoing treatment and care. Services are provided by our professional team of registered nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, phone screeners, and peer specialists. Our clinicians will listen to clients’ concerns, and take the necessary steps to get people through their crisis and help make connections to longer-term services if needed.
PRIMARY COMPONENTS
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises as well as any other kind of emotional distress. People can also contact 988 on behalf of a friend and loved one for help. The Rhode Island 988 call center is located on site at BH Link. Calling 988 is always free, confidential,
BH LINK TRIAGE CENTER
The BH Link triage center offers a 24/7 community-based walk-in/drop-off facility where clinicians connect people to immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports for all Rhode Islanders over 18. We strive to create a safe, understanding, and calming place where we can meet your needs.
We provide immediate access to behavioral healthcare in a 24/7, community-based facility.
This ensures stability, provides seamless transfer to ongoing care, and reduces unnecessary use of hospital-based services.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
KATHERINE ANDERSON, LICSW, QMHP
VICE PRESIDENT OF ACUTE SERVICES, COMMUNITY CARE ALLIANCE
Katherine (Katie) (She/Her) is an independently licensed clinical social worker. A graduate of American University (BA, Literature) and Boston College (MSW), she has worked in behavioral healthcare since 2013. Her clinical practice and leadership has focused largely on acute and crisis services for those with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. She also brings experience in public policy, fundraising and development, and municipal governance.
Katie's professional and volunteer leadership with non-profit, advocacy, faith-based, and behavioral health organizations has spanned from Kathmandu, Nepal to Washington, DC to her current work in Rhode Island. Katie brings a passion for systems change and cross-sector collaboration.
JOE ASH, MSW, QMHP
DIRECTOR, BH LINK
Joe (He/Him) is a macro social worker who has been working in the behavioral health field since 2010, across both inpatient, residential, and crisis levels of care. In that time, he’s worked collaboratively to support clients, from adolescence to older adulthood, who have experienced a range of mental health and substance use conditions. Joe has served as an administrative director for the BH Link since 2021. As a member of the BH Link leadership team, he has collaborated across disciplines to promote a culture of access and inclusion.
Joe brings with him a wealth of administrative experience – including program design and evaluation in both the public and non-profit sectors, contract compliance, finance and budget coordination, as well as data reporting and analytics. He is driven toward strengthening behavioral health services in Rhode Island through the integration of networks of care, the alignment of mission and money, the provision of client-centered services, and raising standards around evaluation and data-driven practice.
PARTNERS
Horizon Healthcare Partners’ goal is to ensure equitable access and affordable services to those recovering from a serious mental illness and divert higher-risk clients to community-based mental health/substance use alternatives.
Community Care Alliance strives to empower people challenged by mental illness and addictions, by providing counseling, treatment, and support services.
BHDDH aims to promote the health, safety, and well-being of Rhode Islanders by developing policies and programs that address the issues of mental illness, addiction, recovery, and community support.