Support for the RISD community

Dec 23, 2025

As we navigate this time together, we have compiled an at-a-glance list of current safety and wellbeing resources available to students, staff, and faculty at RISD.

In addition to the resources below, we are offering additional opportunities for care and connection when Wintersession begins in January.

  • On Monday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 7, counseling support will be available from 10 am–3 pm at two locations: Carr Haus Café and 15 West (first floor office behind the Portfolio Café).
    • These sessions are drop-in and open to everyone in our community. They are not limited to grief counseling; they are also available for those who may want extra support, a place to talk things through, or for small groups who would benefit from a guided conversation about the recent events.
  • On Tuesday, January 6, we are offering a different format focused on being together as a community:
    • Students are invited to gather at The Fleet Library from 10 am–12 pm.
    • Employees are invited to the same space from 1–3 pm.
    • These times are intended to provide a shared, supportive space to connect with one another. A counselor will be present and available to help guide conversation if needed.

 

SAFETY

PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety works closely with local law enforcement, regularly monitors campus and surrounding areas, and adjusts staffing and patrols as needed 24/7. Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activity.
401-454-6666
30 Waterman St., South Hall & 15 West, Ground Floor

TRAINING & PREPAREDNESS
Emergency response, situational awareness, and incident reporting training is provided for staff and faculty; Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training is available to the community. To schedule, email pubsafe@risd.edu.

SECURITY SYSTEMS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Cameras, code blue phones to request urgent services, and other security mechanisms are in place across campus. Public Safety and Facilities conduct regular maintenance of these systems.

BUILDING ACCESS
Card-access systems remain in place across campus. Please carry your RISD ID and avoid allowing unauthorized access to buildings.

RISDAlert is a mass notification system used to alert the community during campus emergencies, with messages sent through the following channels:

  • EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS: All RISD email addresses (@risd.edu) are automatically enrolled in the system.
  • SMS TEXT MESSAGE NOTIFICATIONS: RISD students, faculty, and staff designate a cell phone number in Workday (our campus-wide information system) to receive text notifications.
  • PUSH NOTIFICATIONS: Students, faculty, and staff can download the mobile app and enable push notifications.
  • RISDALERT FOR THE PUBLIC: Anyone without a RISD email can opt in to RISDAlert by texting “RISDALERT” to 226787. This option is intended for families and members of the public.

 

WELLBEING

COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
CAPS provides 24/7 counseling support for students.
401-454-6637
72 Pine Street, 2nd floor

HEALTH SERVICES
In-person medical advice and hands-on care
401-454-6625
72 Pine Street, 2nd Floor

STUDENT LIFE
Office supporting the wellbeing of all students
401-454-6600
Carr House, 210 Benefit Street, 3rd Floor

CARE NETWORK (Student Life)
Team that helps students navigate challenges that impact their ability to thrive (NOT an emergency resource); online referral form

OFFICE OF CHAPLAINS & RELIGIOUS LIFE (OCRL)
This Brown University office provides counsel and support to the Brown and RISD communities
401-863-2344
Email: ocrl@brown.edu

COASTLINE EAP
24/7 counseling and referral services available
to faculty and staff
800-445-1195

RISD RIDES
A door-to-door transportation service for students, faculty, and staff with an active ID

 

CRISIS HOTLINES

These hotlines are available to provide individual support to those who may be in distress.

SAMHSA Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) disaster distress helpline is available 24/7 and is a free and confidential counseling line for immediate mental health support following critical incidents. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

988
Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance 24/7. 988 includes resources for call, text, chat and options for the hard-of-hearing community.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Young Adult HelpLine
Call 800-950-6264, or text “Friend” to 62640. Open 10 am – 10 pm.

National crisis support lines that do not use geolocation or call law enforcement: