Mental Health Association Of RI

All people living with mental health challenges will be treated with dignity and respect and will receive all the support and services needed to live their best lives. Our mission is to promote and nourish mental health through advocacy, education, and policy development. We respect the people we serve, their diversity, and their experiences.

The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island is the "watchdog" of the mental health community. We listen to and speak for the needs of consumers and providers. Through systems change, we promote mental health, increase consumers' access to treatment and services, and improve the lives of people touched by mental illness.

Laurie comes to the Mental Health Association with 17 years of nonprofit experience and a passion for helping, inspiring and leading. She is driven by the core belief that we are meant to take care of each other, especially our most vulnerable. The breadth of Laurie's experience spans advocacy and human service roles.

United Way's 211 is a free and confidential resource. Consumers can find assistance with a variety of needs, from benefits, food, and childcare to gambling addiction, cyber security, and health insurance. Give them a call or visit their walk-in center. Our Rhode Island Parity Initiative educates consumers and providers about their rights to mental healthcare treatment.

For too long in Rhode Island, people with serious mental illness; physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities; older adults and youth have been needlessly institutionalized or isolated.

Many have been educated in segregated schools and classrooms, lost their children when they could parent, spent their days in day programs instead of being gainfully employed, or have been arrested and incarcerated for behavior related to their mental illness or cognitive disability, especially people of color.Others are homeless, continually cycling between emergency room departments, prison and shelters.