As a university, it is critical to foster an environment that prioritizes both the physical and the mental well-being of our community of students and faculty. In today’s society, where mental health awareness is on the rise, taking proper care of ourselves and others is what is most necessary. One reminder we should always keep in mind when addressing mental health is that we are not alone. Our peers, our loved ones, our friends, our professors, and our counselors, who specialize in these resources, are always here to help. No matter the circumstance or challenge, our URI community is united to help support and guide each other.
If you or someone you know is struggling and unsure of how to get help, never hesitate to contact URI’s services. The health and wellness resources available on campus are here to help you! Take some time to explore the different resources available at URI through the link here! What are some of the different resources available you may ask? Let’s all discover each resource as they are useful in enriching our mental, physical, and emotional health!
Health Services
The first resource is the URI Health Services Department, which is located on campus at 6 Butterfield Road. The center is nationally recognized through The Joint Commission and membership in the American College Health Association. The Health Center’s national recognition is beneficial for our community as it assures students that they are receiving proper and professional care. The Health Services Department offers ambulatory medical services, office visits, immunization and travel services, allergy tests, psychiatric services, pharmacy care, and x-ray and laboratory services on site to students and faculty. Furthermore, their Health Promotion Department provides educational programs to students who may need nutritional and/or health and wellness counseling.
The Health Services Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. To better accommodate student availability, appointments can be made online on their website, you can call (401) 874-2246, or drop in to schedule! In my experience, if I ever was not feeling well or had an injury, the Health Services staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive. They can even refer patients to receive on-campus physical therapy treatment at URI’s Physical Therapy Clinic. Upon entering the Health Services building, I received immediate assistance and access to pharmaceutical supplies at discounted or no cost.
Counseling Services
One takeaway I have learned ever since being at URI is to take full advantage of the free benefits at hand. URI Counseling Center located in Roosevelt Hall on 90 Lower College Road offers therapy sessions both virtually and in-person for those in need. To schedule an appointment or to talk to a counselor on the phone, you can dial the number (401) 874- 2288. Check out https://web.uri.edu/counseling/services/ for supplementary information regarding mental health events, opportunities to join student support groups, self-assessment tools, and referrals to off-campus resources. Some specific resources available include the psychological consultation center, the couple and family therapy clinic, and the wellness resource center.
In this digital age, URI also offers its community, digital supportive services that are tailored for students to reach out whenever they need assistance. TELUS Health is your go to app for 24/7 online support that is easily accessible and free to download on your phone and computer. Not only is online counseling reachable in the U.S., but all over the country and world. Download the app now to receive free, confidential mental health and well-being support, anytime, and anywhere https://web.uri.edu/counseling/myssp/. Chat, video, and phone support are all accessible right at your fingertips! I love this app due to its convenience, as it is readily available, providing instant support whenever needed, whether that is for myself or someone else.
For those who may be struggling with alcohol or substance use, services such as therapy sessions, including group and individual counseling, as well as counseling provided by external providers. With health promotion efforts, there are awareness events on campus. Additionally, there are weekly support groups for students looking to reevaluate their usage and also reflect with others. Drop-in counseling is offered every Wednesday from 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union room 304. To explore more, check out https://web.uri.edu/healthservices/health-promotion/aode/.
Fitness and Wellness Services
Are you looking to be active, be well, and belong? Campus Recreation’s mission is to “enrich the holistic well-being of the community through diverse recreational opportunities and a commitment to inspiring a sense of belonging.” Each service is to promote wellness and encouragement of an active, safe, and unified community.
Take time to explore https://web.uri.edu/campusrec/about-us/ where you can learn about our values and history! On Campus Rec’s page, you will also find a wellness wheel. The wellness wheel encompasses dimensions including social, physical, financial, environmental, intellectual, and emotional well-being. The fitness and wellness programs offered on campus are group exercise, F45 training, personal training, instructor/trainer development programs, custom classes, and other wellness programs and services. At Campus Recreation, the options and resources are endless. Personally, I enjoy participating in group exercise classes, a passion I’ve pursued since my freshman year. Among these classes, cycling stands out as my favorite, and I’m currently enrolled in a program to become an instructor starting this fall. Cycling has been a great outlet for me to get involved. It has given me an opportunity to socialize with those who have the same interests as me, as well as help me progress in my fitness journey!
Student Support and Advocacy Services
If a student or member of the URI community is facing mental, emotional, and/or financial difficulties, student support and advocacy are helpful in community involvement in this department. Dr. Jacqui Springer, the Assistant Dean of Students, Barbara A. Sweeney, the Coordinator for Food Security Outreach, and Lukas Chaves, another coordinator are the main team leaders.
The team collaborates with various community members including campus police, community standards, counseling services, dining services, disability access and inclusion offices, medical providers, financial aid offices, housing and residential life departments, and violence prevention and advocacy services. Staff members may also conduct meetings with students to review policies and procedures. The Dean of Students Office is located in Avedisian Hall on campus. For more details, refer here!
Disability Access and Inclusion Services
URI disability access and inclusion services abide by guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and URI Policy. URI’s Disability Access and Inclusion Services facilitates partnerships, creative practices, and student-informed programs that provide opportunities for mentorship and leadership development for students living with a disability or chronic condition in order to provide access to inclusive living and learning environments. If someone encounters physical accessibility challenges, one can fill out the URI ADA Access Reporting Google form. Additional inquiries regarding equal opportunity concerns and academic/campus accommodations can be found here.
Student Conduct Services
If you or someone else feels that they are in an unsafe environment with others, or see any misconduct that could potentially put others at risk, Student Conduct Services is here to help! The student conduct and community standards foster student development while ensuring the safety of the community through its conduct process. Check out https://web.uri.edu/studentconduct/ to explore employment and volunteer work! Additionally, if you encounter a student conduct issue, you can report an incident, access conduct record requests, and find answers to frequently asked questions!
All of these resources are extremely important to those of the URI community because we never truly know what others may be experiencing on a personal level. It’s always best to regularly check in with both ourselves and others! Even if we are uncertain about someone’s feelings, it’s better to express concern or get someone professional help than to not get involved at all. As the student body of URI, we are here to look out for others and be a contributing member of our community!
By Lauren Marsella