Mental Health Association of Rhode Island

What Mental Health Association of Rhode Island does

The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1916 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, operating remotely as an affiliate of Mental Health America. It serves over 200,000 Rhode Islanders living with mental health and substance use conditions through free policy advocacy, education, and direct navigation services. Core programs include the Parity/Behavioral Health Advocacy Coalition (biweekly virtual meetings), the Youth Behavioral Health Liaison service (free referral navigation for families), the Brave Voices Bold Impact training program (six advocacy modules), and Olmstead Plan development advocacy chaired through the Governor's Council on Behavioral Health.

MHARI has no proprietary technology products; its "platform" is a community-led advocacy and referral network supported by a small core staff (3-5 full-time, including Executive Director Laurie-Marie Pisciotta with 24 years of nonprofit experience), augmented by consultants, volunteers, and a board of directors with clinical, legal, and corporate expertise. Revenue is generated entirely through contributions: individual donations, planned giving, gifts-in-kind, donor-advised funds, and event sponsorships. All services are free to end users, with no insurance billing or fee-for-service components.

Recent strategic successes include securing state budget funding for CCBHCs and PediPRN/MomsPRN programs, advancing 988 Suicide Prevention Line inclusion on student IDs, and passing AI in Mental Health Care legislation through both chambers. The organization is positioned as the mental health community's "watchdog" in Rhode Island, combining lived-experience leadership with direct legislative influence and a multi-stakeholder coalition model.

Name

Mental Health Association of Rhode Island

Legal name

Mental Health Association of Rhode Island

Website

https://mhari.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island is a 110-year-old nonprofit advocacy organization providing free mental health policy development, youth behavioral health navigation, and community education to Rhode Island residents, operating as an affiliate of Mental Health America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Advocacy & Education Services

NAICS

Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAK

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Mental health advocacy
• Behavioral health policy
• Community mental health education
• Youth behavioral health navigation
• Nonprofit mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting mental health advocacy. Donors can give online, mail gifts, or set up payroll deductions through SECA campaign. Corporate gift matching available.
2. Planned Giving: Charitable gift planning options including bequests, life insurance, life income gifts, and retirement assets. Contact office for discussion of options.
3. Gifts-In-Kind: Non-cash gifts, physical assets, or services donated to fulfill MHARI's mission.
4. Donor Advised Fund: Donors can support MHARI through DAF grants using tax ID 05-0280788.
5. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for Mental Health Awareness Month events and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1916 that delivers mental health advocacy, policy development, and community education in Rhode Island. Its core offerings include the Youth Behavioral Health Liaison (free navigation and referral service for families), the Parity/Behavioral Health Advocacy Coalition (biweekly virtual coalition meeting), the RI Mental Health Parity Initiative (insurance rights education), and Integration for All Olmstead Plan advocacy.

Product overview

The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) is a nonprofit organization operating as a single integrated advocacy and education platform rather than a commercial product company. The organization offers multiple interconnected programs and services centered on mental health advocacy, policy development, youth behavioral health navigation, and community education. Core offerings include the Parity/Behavioral Health Advocacy Coalition, the RI Mental Health Parity Initiative for insurance rights education, Integration For All Olmstead Plan advocacy, and the Youth Behavioral Health Liaison service providing free navigation and referral support. The Brave Voices, Bold Impact training program delivers six structured workshops on advocacy skills including storytelling, legislative navigation, and public speaking. Additional services include a comprehensive Behavioral Health Resource Guide, research and annual reports, crisis support referrals through the 988 line and BH Link, and mental health screening tool referrals. The organization also offers professional development consulting services and multiple donation/giving mechanisms. All programs are offered free or at low cost to Rhode Islanders and are funded through donations, grants, and state partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brave Voices, Bold Impact: A collaborative training initiative designed to help Rhode Islanders build the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to speak up, shape policy, and advocate for stronger behavioral health and social supports.
• Parity / Behavioral Health Advocacy Coalition
• RI Mental Health Parity Initiative

Products and services

• Policy Development & Advocacy Services Facilitates a virtual biweekly Parity/Behavioral Health Advocacy Coalition and conducts policy advocacy to improve access to mental health services, working with consumers, professionals, community health centers, hospitals, and advocates to shape Rhode Island mental health policy.
• RI Mental Health Parity Initiative Education initiative informing consumers and providers about their rights to mental and behavioral healthcare treatment under federal and state parity laws, including community research on navigating health insurance and accessing services.
• Integration for All: Olmstead Plan Advocacy MHARI chairs the Integration for All Olmstead Sub-Committee of the Governor's Council on Behavioral Health, working to develop Rhode Island's first Olmstead Plan for people with disabilities at risk of unnecessary institutionalization.
• Youth Behavioral Health Liaison Free navigation and referral service providing education, resources, and support to community educators, professionals, and families seeking behavioral health care for children and teens in Rhode Island. Includes virtual office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays; no insurance or obligation required.
• Brave Voices, Bold Impact Training Program Free in-person and virtual workshop series (six modules) on advocacy skills including storytelling, Rhode Island's legislative process, public speaking, state budget navigation, legislative meet-and-greets, and emotional debriefing circles. Offered in collaboration with NAMI RI, Community Care Alliance, Horizon Healthcare Partners, the Economic Progress Institute, and others.
• Development Consultant Services Project-based contractor services offered at $75/hour covering donor stewardship, fundraising communications, event planning, CRM selection, newsletter production, and strategic promotion for nonprofit and advocacy organizations.
• Behavioral Health Resource Guide Comprehensive Rhode Island behavioral health resource guide providing clickable links to mental health services, support organizations, and care providers statewide.
• Research & Reports Publications Annual reports and research publications including the ACPD Data Report, provider network surveys, parity reports, and behavioral healthcare analyses.
• Donation & Giving Services Multiple giving options including online donations, mail gifts, corporate gift matching, state employee charitable appeal (SECA), planned giving (bequests, life insurance, life income gifts, retirement assets), gifts-in-kind, and donor advised funds (Tax ID 05-0280788).
• Crisis Support Resource Referrals Referral service connecting individuals in crisis to 988 Suicide Prevention Line, BH Link 24/7 triage center (East Providence), and KidsLinkRI for youth behavioral health crises.

Quantifiable outcome

• 988 Suicide Prevention Line added to student IDs - bills passed House and Senate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mental Health AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHARI is an official affiliate of Mental Health America (mhanational.org), the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping people live mentally healthier lives. This affiliation provides access to national resources, research, and advocacy frameworks.
• Community Care AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Brave Voices, Bold Impact collaborative training initiative. Provides advocacy training and community engagement services.
• NAMI Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Brave Voices, Bold Impact program. NAMI RI provides the NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training module as part of the collaborative.
• Horizon Healthcare PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Brave Voices, Bold Impact and manages Rhode Island's 988 call center. Drafted legislation to ensure long-term funding for 988 crisis line.
• The Economic Progress InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing expertise on state budget education. Facilitates Understanding the Rhode Island State Budget workshop module in Brave Voices, Bold Impact program.
• Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Brave Voices, Bold Impact collaborative training initiative.
• Common Cause Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Brave Voices, Bold Impact collaborative training initiative.
• Omena InccoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFrancesca Raoelison, Founder of Omena, serves as a consultant to MHARI. Also listed as partner in Brave Voices, Bold Impact initiative.
• Governor's Council on Behavioral HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHARI chairs the Integration for All Olmstead Sub-Committee of this council. Successfully advocated for state commitment to develop an Olmstead Plan.
• BH LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health facility providing immediate crisis intervention services. 24-hour/7-day triage center at 975 Waterman Avenue, East Providence. Part of referral network.
• United Way of Rhode Island (211)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree and confidential resource hotline providing referrals for benefits, food, childcare, health insurance, and various support services.
• RI Parent Information Network (RIPIN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the Rhode Island Health Insurance Consumer Hotline providing bilingual assistance with insurance questions and appeals.
• Office of the Mental Health AdvocatecoreOthersIndependent state agency providing free legal, investigative, and advocacy services related to treatment, incarceration, housing, employment for those with mental illness.
• Disability Rights RIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated Rhode Island's federal Protection and Advocacy System. Part of national network securing rights for people with disabilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): The largest U.S. grassroots mental health organization, offering advocacy, education, support groups, and public policy work. MHARI's RI-focused work is a direct microcosm of NAMI's national model.
• Mental Health America: National parent affiliate of MHARI and the nation's leading community-based mental health nonprofit. Comparable as the umbrella organization advancing the same advocacy, education, and policy priorities at a national scale.

Others

• CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy): National policy organization advancing mental health, anti-poverty, and equity advocacy. Comparable thematically as a policy and advocacy organization that addresses mental health parity, workforce, and systems-change issues parallel to MHARI's priorities.

Direct peers

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): National nonprofit funding research, advocacy, and survivor support to prevent suicide. Comparable as a mental health-focused advocacy and education nonprofit that engages in state-level policy work similar to MHARI's.
• NAMI Rhode Island: Rhode Island's National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliate and a formal MHARI partner in the Brave Voices, Bold Impact program. Directly comparable as a RI-focused mental health advocacy, education, and peer-support nonprofit serving overlapping constituencies.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): National peer-led nonprofit providing support groups, education, and advocacy for people with mood disorders. Comparable as a mental health advocacy and education organization serving a similar lived-experience constituency.

Regional players

• Community Care Alliance: Rhode Island-based behavioral health and human services provider and MHARI partner in the Brave Voices training program. Comparable as a regional behavioral health nonprofit operating community services and advocacy in the same RI market.
• RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV): Rhode Island domestic violence coalition and MHARI partner in the Brave Voices training program. Comparable as a RI-focused advocacy coalition operating in an adjacent behavioral/social-services space.
• Disability Rights Rhode Island: Rhode Island's federal Protection and Advocacy system for people with disabilities and a listed MHARI partner. Comparable as a RI disability-rights advocacy organization with overlapping Olmstead/disability-systems-change priorities.

Emerging players

• Bring Change to Mind: Youth-focused mental health awareness and advocacy nonprofit. Comparable as a mental health education and anti-stigma organization emphasizing lived experience and youth engagement, similar to MHARI's Youth Behavioral Health program.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MHA_of_RI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mentalhealthassociationofr5309
• Facebookfacebook.com/mharhodeisland
• Instagraminstagram.com/mha_of__ri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mental-health-association-of-rhode-island-mhari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mental Health Association of Rhode Island