Children's Friend – Mental Health

Mental Health · Rhode Island · Paid

Behavioral health services for children and families throughout Rhode Island, with the main office on Summer Street in Providence. Clinicians support fathers and caregivers with child therapy, trauma-informed care, and parenting guidance alongside early childhood programs. Call to begin intake. Bring photo ID, insurance or Medicaid information, custody paperwork if applicable, and relevant school or medical records.

Contact & Details

Address: 153 Summer St, Providence, RI 02903

Phone: 401-276-4300

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

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About Mental Health for Fathers

Mental health services in the US range from free crisis lines and public community mental health centers to private therapy and inpatient care. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline operates 24/7 nationwide and is free and confidential. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) connects callers with local treatment resources for mental health and substance use. Community Mental Health Centers exist in every state and serve people regardless of ability to pay, usually on sliding-scale fees. Medicaid covers mental health care in all states, and the ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health at parity with medical care. Fathers are particularly at risk for undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and substance issues around separation and custody disputes — this directory surfaces crisis lines, low-cost therapy, support groups specifically for men, and state mental health authorities.

Mental Health in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Mental Health in Rhode Island

  • NAMI Rhode Island — Mental health education, peer-led support groups, and advocacy for Rhode Island fathers and family members affected by mental illness. The P
  • RI BHDDH – Behavioral Healthcare — State department of behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and hospitals coordinating mental health and substance abuse services for
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – RI — Free 24/7 crisis support for Rhode Island fathers and families experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or substance-related cris
  • Family Service of RI – Counseling — Individual and family counseling services for Rhode Island fathers, children, and couples at the Providence office on Hope Street. Clinician
  • Butler Hospital – Outpatient Psychiatry — Outpatient psychiatric care and specialized mental health programs for Rhode Island adults, including fathers managing mood, anxiety, trauma
  • Comprehensive Community Action – Mental Health — Behavioral health services for Cranston and surrounding communities, offering counseling, psychiatric care, and case management to fathers a

Mental Health — Common Questions

I'm in crisis right now — who do I call?
Dial or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7 nationwide. Veterans press 1. For non-crisis mental health support, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
How do I find a therapist I can afford?
Community Mental Health Centers (every state has them) charge on sliding-scale based on income. Medicaid covers therapy in all states. Private insurance must cover mental health at parity with medical care. Psychology Today's therapist finder lets you filter by insurance. Open Path Collective offers
0–$80 sessions.
Can therapy hurt my custody case?
Almost always no — judges view voluntarily-sought mental health treatment as responsible parenting. Therapists must keep sessions confidential (with narrow exceptions: child abuse disclosure, imminent self-harm). Court-ordered evaluations are different from voluntary therapy.
Is there support specifically for men?
Yes. Face It Foundation, HeadsUpGuys, Men's Sheds, and Man Therapy run men-focused programs. Many community mental health centers run men-only groups. Fatherhood programs often include peer support as part of their model.