RIDE Shares Information on Trauma-Informed Mental Health Resources for Rhode Island Students, Families, and Educators

Published on Friday, December 19, 2025

As Rhode Islanders continue to process the trauma following Saturday's horrific mass shooting at Brown University, the Rhode Island Department of Education is distributing a list of resources that are available to students, families, and educators across the Ocean State. Free, confidential mental health support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

On December 17^th, Margaret R. Paccione-Dyszlewski, PhD, who serves as Director of Clinical Innovation at Bradley Hospital (which is partners with RIDE and Brown University Health), published: School Shootings and Community Gun Violence: What to Say to Children and How to Help Them Cope, which is availablein both English and Spanish.

Additional local resources include:

Family Service of RI (FSRI): Family Service of RI (FSFRI) can support children and adults struggling with fear, grief, anxiety or emotional distress. FSRI is actively working with the Providence Public School Department and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

You can reach FSRI at 401-854-6678 for counseling and support services. FSRI's Community Support Center is located at 55 Hope Street, Providence, RI and is open to anyone Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Call or text United Way of Rhode Island's 2-1-1 to be connected to a trained professional 24 hours per day/seven days per week, who can connect with appropriate resources in your community. 211 is a free and confidential service.

BH Link is a walk-in community-based facility where clinicians connect people to immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports. BH link is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and serves all Rhode Islanders 18+. BH Link is located at 975 Waterman Ave. East Providence, RI 02914.

The Providence Center (TPC) provides specially trained crisis staff and supportive services. TPC Center for Child and Adolescent Services is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 520 Hope Street in Providence. You can reach the Providence Center's 24/7 crisis line at 401-274-7111.

A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is an outpatient clinic that is certified by the State of Rhode Island to offer expanded behavioral health services. CCBHCs serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of age, diagnosis, or insurance status, and provide 24/7 crisis support. Find your local CCBHC at: https://bhddh.ri.gov/CCBHC.

RIDE partners with Hazel Health, the nation's largest school-based telehealth provider, expanding access to comprehensive, virtual mental health services to students across the state. Please contact your building administrator to determine if Hazel Health services are available in your school. Additionally, RIDE supports local education agencies and school districts by providing fiscal support and technical assistance related to school mental health. You can learn about RIDE's work here.

Additional national resources include:

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 9-8-8. If you or someone you love is feeling acute distress or grief, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 in both English and Spanish.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Networkhas free online resources to support children who suffer from traumatic stress.

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