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Dear John,
Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to break the stigma surrounding mental health care and share information on how Americans can access support.
Here in Rhode Island, there are six private, nonprofit licensed community mental health centers, known as CMHCs:
- Community Care Alliance (Burrilliville, Cumberland, Lincoln, N. Smithfield, Woonsocket): 401-235-7000
- East Bay Community Action Program (East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol): 401-437-1008
- Fellowship Health Resources (statewide): 401-383-4885
- Gateway (Cranston, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, N. Providence, Scituate, Smithfield): 401-273-8100
- Gateway (Block Island, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Richmond, Westerly): 401-364-7705
- Gateway (Pawtucket, Central Falls): 401-722-3560
- Newport Mental Health (Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton): 401-846-1213
- The Providence Center (Providence): 401-276-4020
- Thrive (Coventry, E. Greenwich, W. Greenwich, Warwick, W. Warwick): 401-732-5656
More information on local resources is available here.
You can also access national resources, including:
More information on Mental Health Awareness Month is available from SAMHSA here.
Updates from Rhode Island
Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs Celebration of Service
On Saturday, I was honored to join the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs for their Celebration of Service in recognition of the heroic service and sacrifice of Rhode Island Firefighters – past and present.
Every day, men and women across this country walk out their doors willing to risk their lives for complete strangers. And in some of America’s darkest times – from 9/11 to the COVID-19 pandemic – firefighters have always had the backs of their fellow Americans.
Saturday’s ceremony was a moment to recognize Rhode Island’s firefighters – who are second to none – and thank them for all they do for our state.
AIDS Project RI Run/Walk for Life
This past weekend, I joined AIDS Project RI for their annual Run/Walk for Life. As we took this time to remember all those lost to HIV/AIDS and show our support for all those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, we also raised crucial funding for prevention, education, and supportive services, so that those with the virus can live longer, healthier lives with the dignity and care they deserve, and so that we can move closer to a cure and a world without HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS continues to affect roughly 38 million people worldwide, including 1.2 million people here in the U.S – and 13% of those Americans don’t even know they have the virus and need testing.
By breaking down barriers to education – including the stigma against people living with the virus – we can get people the testing and then the care they need.
We have made incredible strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS and now, thanks to medical advancements, people with HIV/AIDS can live longer, healthier lives as we continue to search for a cure.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, “HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.”
Unfortunately, these individuals are also more likely to face barriers to health care services. The work of AIDS Project RI is vital to ensuring that our neighbors facing this disease can access the care and support they need.
Thank you to AIDS Project RI for all you do for our community, those living with HIV/AIDS, and their loved ones.
Beacon Charter 20th Anniversary Celebration
For 20 years, Beacon Charter High School for the Arts has been a champion for young people in the arts, helping students from across Rhode Island develop academically and artistically, learn to express themselves, and go on to achieve post-secondary success.
The unique, artistic focused mission of Beacon Charter Schools provides an important educational path for young, creative Rhode Islanders, and I was honored to join them for their 20th anniversary celebration, and humbled to receive the 2023 Community Partner Award.
Thank you for all you do for your students and the arts in Rhode Island.
Sophia Academy 2023 Women of Wisdom Awards
It was great to join Sophia Academy on Monday to celebrate their 2023 Women of Wisdom Award recipients. Thank you for your dedication to empowering female students from all backgrounds, inspiring them to achieve their dreams, and creating a more equitable future.
Congratulations to this year’s two awardees, philanthropist Barbara Papitto and Sophia Academy graduate Ysanel Torres.
Updates from Washington, DC
Extreme MAGA Immigration Bill
On Thursday, House Republicans passed H.R. 2, a cruel, extreme, and unworkable policy that will indefinitely jail children and families and close off pathways for people legally seeking asylum.
While this legislation has no significant chance of becoming law, they still moved ahead with this anti-immigrant political stunt that demonizes immigrants, including vulnerable children.
We need to work together on a bipartisan, comprehensive bill that will reform our immigration system in a humane and just way. Our border communities, immigrant families, and some of the world’s most vulnerable people are counting on us.
House GOP Threatens Unemployment Safety Net
Also this week, House Republicans pushed forward with H.R. 1163, the misleadingly titled Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act.
In fact, rather than protecting hardworking Americans, this legislation will:
- lead to the surprise billing of innocent workers for accidental overpayments of unemployment benefits,
- threaten the unemployment insurance system workforce and the systems efficiency, and
- eliminate the unemployment insurance fraud prevention fund at the Department of Labor (DOL), therefore increasing the level of fraud and delaying modernization of the unemployment insurance system.
This bill will make hardworking Americans’ lives more difficult with no guarantee of actually recovering overpaid unemployment insurance funds.
Free COVID Tests Via the Postal Service
Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. You can order your tests at CovidTests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Important Passport & Travel Information
Due to unprecedented demand, the State Department has released updated processing times for passports. For passport applications submitted after March 24, 2023, routine processing time is 10 to 13 weeks and expedited processing is 7 to 9 weeks.
Before booking international travel, please remember to check the expiration date on your passport and plan accordingly. Passports last for 5 or 10 years, depending on your age when the passport was issued. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
You can learn more from the State Department here.
As always, I am here to serve you. If there is anything I can do, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at [email protected].
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