University Human Resources
Date December 14, 2025
All News

EAP Mental Health & Crisis Support for Faculty & Staff

Dear Brown Faculty and Staff,

As President Paxson has conveyed, this is a deeply tragic time for our community. The shocking violence we experienced on Saturday affects us all deeply, and we know that members of our faculty and staff are navigating profound feelings of grief, fear and distress. Our thoughts are with all those impacted.

Your health and well-being are our highest priority. To ensure you have the necessary support during this difficult period, we want to immediately share the critical professional resources available to you. Details on those resources are outlined below.

In addition, I have included below my signature an email sent today to all Brown students outlining available support and resources. In the event that students are in touch with you directly asking for assistance, please refer to this as a guide for the resources that are available.

Immediate Mental Health and Crisis Support for Employees

We have notified our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Spring Health, about the shooting on Brown’s campus. EAP mental health crisis counselors are on standby to support faculty and staff as needed 24/7.

  • To speak with a mental health crisis support counselor immediately:
    • Call: 1-855-629-0554
    • Select Option 2 for “Employees in Distress.”

This line is available right now for confidential counseling and crisis intervention.

On-Site EAP Support for Employees

In addition to the immediate phone support, we have coordinated walk-in onsite EAP support for our employees. Mental health crisis counselors will be on site to support employees on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (December 15, 16 and 17) in the Chancellor's Dining room at the Sharpe Refectory (the Ratty).

Please use these resources to care for yourselves and one another. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and we encourage every employee to prioritize their well-being. If you need assistance from our benefits and wellness team, please contact worklife@brown.edu.

We are committed to supporting you through this tragedy.

Sincerely,

Marie Williams,

Vice President for Human Resources

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To Brown Students: Support and Resources for Our Community
[Sent on Sunday, Dec 14, at 12:03 pm]

Dear Brown Students,

I am following up on the messages shared by President Paxson and Provost Doyle to offer resources and support. If you need support or if you are concerned about a friend following the tragedy on our campus last night, please consider the resources below. These include immediate, confidential, academic, and community-based support resources.

Many members of our community are grieving, shaken, or struggling to process what has happened. The team in the Division of Campus Life is here to support you, along with colleagues and partners in offices across campus. We want you to know that you are not alone, and that your well-being is our highest priority. In moments like this, it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions, including shock, fear, sadness, anger, numbness, or confusion. There is no “right” way to respond. What matters is that you take care of yourself and reach out for support when you need it.

Campus Life is working closely with partners across the University to support students who have been directly and indirectly impacted. We are continuing outreach to those most affected and making resources broadly available to all students. This includes helping students retrieve book bags, phones, laptops, or other personal items left behind during last night’s evacuation. 

  • The Sharpe Refectory (the “Ratty”) is open to any students in need of food, and staff are on site to provide support.
  • At the Sciences Library (SciLi), from now to 3 p.m., staff from the Office of Residential Life and Public Safety are available to escort students who need to retrieve belongings from the building. Students should meet staff in the SciLi lobby. Students who are unable to retrieve their belongings from the SciLi during this time may contact Public Safety for an escort by calling 401-863-4111.
  • At the Salomon Center, from 1 to 3 p.m., staff from the Office of Residential Life and Public Safety will be available to escort students who need to retrieve belongings from the building. Students should meet staff in the Salomon Center lobby. Students who are unable to retrieve their belongings from the Salomon Center during this time may contact Public Safety for an escort by calling 401-863-4111.
  • For students who may have belongings in other buildings, including Barus & Holley, we will provide additional updates moving forward.

We are a community rooted in care and shared responsibility. In the days ahead, I encourage you to look out for one another, to move gently, and to ask for help when you need it. Reaching out is a sign of strength.

With care and compassion,

Patricia Poitevien, MD, MSc, FAAP
Vice President for Campus Life

Support Resources for Students

Immediate & 24/7 Support

Mental Health, Well-Being, and Spiritual Support

Academic Support