Peers and Students

Peers frequently go to each other for support and advice around a variety of issues. An individual who is distressed often wants help but doesn’t know how to ask. You can play an essential role by expressing your concerns in a caring, empathic, nonjudgmental way.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Confidential resource to consult 

Student Support Services (SSS)
Nonconfidential resource to consult

Project LETS Peer Mental Health Advocates 
Brown students who are trained as peer counselors and advocates with lived experience with mental illness. You do not need a diagnosed mental illness to work with a PMHA.

Animal-Assisted Therapy 
Provides weekly 10-minute sessions with registered therapy animals by appointment in Hillel

BWell Health Promotion

Monitor your own reactions and feelings. It can be stressful to interact with someone in distress. In addition to feeling that you want to help, you may find yourself feeling helplessness, fear, frustration or anger, empathy (feeling the other person's sadness, anger, hopelessness, etc.), impatience or "compassion fatigue." Helpers need support, too. Call the Counseling Center, x3500, to arrange for a confidential consultation with a clinician.

Recognize your limits. It is not your responsibility to solve the problem for the other person; rather, to try to help them solve it or help them get help. Remember, although you may be a special and irreplaceable helper for this person in some ways, there are also other caring helpers available who may offer forms of help.