Bradley, Gateway launch hotline for kids in crisis

EAST PROVIDENCE – A new, 24-hour hotline for children in emotional crisis, Kids’ Link RI, has been launched. It is a collaborative initiative by Bradley Hospital and Gateway Healthcare, the state’s largest community behavioral health provider.
The hotline – 1-855-KIDLINK – connects parents and caregivers to children’s mental health services in Rhode Island, and helps families determine the best place to go for treatment.
“As many parents know all too well, a child can have a crisis or an emergency any time of the day or night. We want to make sure families have access to the care they need,” said Dr. Henry Sachs, chief medical officer of Bradley Hospital. “With the Kids’ Link hotline, we are providing a safety net, so that no matter where or when a child needs help, he or she can receive it.”
With this confidential hotline, parents and caregivers can dial a toll-free number, and be connected with emergency service clinicians or receive direction about the appropriate “next step” for managing their crisis.
“We are so pleased to partner with Bradley Hospital to make the Kids’ Link hotline available,” said Gateway President and CEO Richard Leclerc. “There is nothing more heartbreaking than a child suffering with behavioral health issues, and we want to ensure that access to services is swift and seamless.”
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to call the hotline on behalf of any child who is: