The State Launches OpenBeds for People Seeking Behavioral Health Help The website tracks open beds at mental health and substance use treatment facilities across Rhode Island. February 12, 2021 One of the greatest barriers to behavioral health care in Rhode Island is finding an open bed. For years, people in crisis — including those stepping down from emergent care and those seeking help with substance abuse issues — or their caregivers would need to call facility after facility, hoping for access to life-saving treatment. To address this issue, the state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Development Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) recently developed OpenBeds, a website to help residents narrow down available substance abuse or mental health services in the state. The platform, which had a soft launch last summer with Rhode Island providers and is now available for use by the general public, was inspired by a bill introduced by State Senator Joshua Miller that pushed for such a database. It was funded with grant money from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.