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Mental Health Professionals React tWitch's Shocking Suicide
Mental Health Professionals React tWitch's Shocking Suicide
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — People across the country were left shocked after the suicide of
popular DJ and dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss
. The man who outwardly seemed to be a pillar of happiness.
His shocking suicide has also left mental health professionals in Rhode Island sounding the alarm on the mental health crisis in the United States.
“This is a perfect storm in Rhode Island right now,” said John Tassoni, CEO of the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of Rhode Island. “We’re getting hit from every angle we can get hit by and I don’t know what to do.”
According to the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
, more than 45,000 Americans died by suicide in 2020, and about 1.2 million attempted to take their life.
“The numbers of people that have completed suicide are higher than they’ve ever been,” said Dr. Kevin E. Baill, the medical director of outpatient services at Butler hospital in Providence.
Butler has also seen this concerning rise in suicide totals, according to Dr. Baill, the average daily inpatient total at the psychiatric hospital is 170.
tWitch’s death has shined a light on mental health issues across the nation, especially so, as the celebrity, who was seemingly happy to everyone on the outside, had posted uplifting videos of himself dancing with his wife and kids on social media in the days leading up to his death.
“I think we’re at that tipping point,” Tassoni said. “We’re at the tipping point of the health care system.”
Tassoni is also a former District 22 state senator, who represented Smithfield and North Smithfield and urged state leaders to make a change.
He also added it shouldn’t take a high-profile celebrity’s death for things to change.
Baill, agreed, saying the conversation around mental health needs to continue.
“Exposure to people that have completed suicide is another risk,” Baill said. “But, I think speaking openly and in a knowledgeable way about the problem can only help us to shed more light.”
The national suicide prevention hotline 988 is a toll-free number, where anyone can call and speak with a mental health professional.
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Other Technical Assistance Resources
Telehealth
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digiAGE Collaborative
Northeast Telehealth Resource Center
Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Sample Policies
Simple Telehealth Technology How-To Guides for Seniors
Resources
BH Link
Elder Population Resources
Affordable Health Insurance
Assisted Living Options for People Struggling with Addiction
Assisted Living Research Institute Resources
(CCBHC) Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
Community Support and Resource Guides
2019 Prevention Resource Guide
Emergency Resource Guide
Anchor Recovery Community Information
Health Home Community Resource Guide (Rev. February 2023)
MHARI’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE
R.E.S.T. Support Group
COVID-19 Resources
The Transition of Behavioral Health Services To Comprehensive Medicaid Managed Care
Coping with COVID (3 Part Virtual Session)
COVID-19 Naloxone Public Awareness and Overdose Prevention Resources
COVID-19 RI
Project HELLO
COVID-19 Harm Reduction Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Older Adults
BH LINK/COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing Available at Wood River Health Services
Latest Health-Related News and Media Announcements
Health and Human Services (HHS) & HHS Region 1 New England
digiAGE Collaborative
HHS and SAMHSA
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: Resources Related to COVID-19
Office of Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH)
Helplines and Toolkits
Transtheoretical Model of Change
SAMHSA's National HELPLINE: 1-800-662-HELP(4357)
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Toolkit
National Gambling Addiction Hotlines and Additional Resources
Signs of Nicotine Addiction: Definition, Statistics, and Resources to Quit
RI Problem Gambling Hotline
Resources for Professionals
Application to Become an Evidence-Based Practice
Resources for Children and Youth
BH Guide for Transition Aged Youth RI
Specialized Bereavement Groups for Children and Teens Affected by Suicide or Addiction
Parent Support Network of Rhode Island
Prevention Resources
AIDS Care Ocean State
Opioid Overdose Prevention
Prevent Overdose RI
RI Prevention Resource Center
Suicide Prevention
Resources for Adults
Anchor Recovery Community Center
Man Therapy Washington County
RI Tuberculosis Treatment at the Miriam Hospital
Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling
Recovery Resources and Support Groups
After Lunch All Recovery Support Group
Alcohol Treatment Navigator
Ocean State Coalition of Recovery Houses
Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts, Inc.
Strong Arms Support Group Meetings
Veterans Resources
Home Base - (Free) Services for Veterans
Veteran's Hotline
Arrow Passage: Veteran Substance Abuse
Mesothelioma Veterans Center
Treatment Locator
RI Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Providers
Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Detoxification Services
Medication Assisted Treatment
Buprenorphine/Suboxone
Methadone
Naltrexone
Mental Health Treatment Providers
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
SAMHSA Find Treatment Locator
Outpatient Treatment
Recovery TV
Workforce Development
Certification and Licensing
Career Paths
Community Health Worker
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist
Peer Recovery Coach
Recruitment and Retention
Higher Education
Triad Project
Management and Practices
Professional Development Education and Tools
Resources