Division of Campus Life
Student Support Services

For Parents and Families

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For Parents and Families

Learn how to recognize concerns and connect a student with the appropriate support resources.

As a parent or family member, you know your student well—and you may be among the first to notice when something feels off. Whether your student shares that they’re having a hard time or you sense a change from afar, it’s natural to want to help. At Brown, we believe that students thrive when they are at the center of their own support and decision-making process.

Student Support Services provides individualized, non-clinical support to students managing a wide range of challenges—from health concerns to academic pressure to personal crises. If you're concerned about your student, we invite you to explore our website to learn about the options available for your student and encourage you to have important conversations together. 

We encourage families to be present, supportive listeners while also empowering students to take the lead in seeking help. When students engage with resources directly, they’re more likely to build the skills and confidence they need to navigate current and future challenges.

How Student Support Services Can Assist Your Student

  • One-on-one support from deans to help students navigate personal, health-related, or academic challenges
  • Collaborative problem-solving to help students consider options such as course load adjustments or medical leave
  • Connection to campus resources, including health and wellness services, academic advising, and identity-based support
  • Guidance through difficult processes, such as responding to Conduct or Title IX matters
  • Help identifying and reducing barriers that may impact a student’s ability to thrive academically and personally
  • Support with transitions, including planning for time away and returning from a medical leave
  • Regular check-ins during medical leave to offer continuity and ensure students feel connected while away

Student Support Services centers the student’s voice and agency in all decision-making and encourages families to be supportive partners as students engage with available resources.

How Parents and Families Can Talk with Their Student About Seeking Support

  1. Lead with care, not control. Start from a place of concern and compassion. Let your student know that you care about how they’re doing—not just how they’re performing. Use open-ended questions like: “How have you been feeling lately?” or “Is there anything that’s been harder than usual for you this semester?”
  2. Acknowledge their independence. Affirm your student’s autonomy and remind them that you trust them to make decisions about their well-being. Try saying: “I know you know what’s best for you, and I’m here to support you however I can.”
  3. Normalize help-seeking. Reassure them that seeking support is not a sign of failure—it’s a healthy and expected part of the college experience. You might say: “Everyone needs support sometimes—Brown has resources that are meant to help students through challenging moments.”
  4. Offer, don’t push. You can share information about Student Support Services or other campus resources, but it’s best to avoid pressuring them. Say something like: “If you ever want to talk through your options, there’s an office at Brown that can help you figure things out. I can send you the link if that’s helpful.”
  5. Stay present, even if they’re not ready. If your student isn’t ready to talk or take action, that’s okay. Remind them you’re there for them and that the door is always open. Consistent support matters.

Contact Us

If you're especially concerned about a student’s well-being, you may reach out to our office—we’re here to help.

In Case of Emergency

If the situation involves an immediate safety concern or urgent need, contact:

  • Brown Department of Public Safety (DPS): 401-863-4111
  • Brown Emergency Medical Services (EMS): 401-863-4111
  • Administrator on Call (AOC): 401-863-4111 (available 24/7)

Additional support resources are available on our Emergency Contacts and Resources pages. 

Parents and Families Website

Whether your student is in their first or final year, we invite you to learn about what is happening on the Brown University campus, the wide range of resources available to your student, and the opportunities tailored to help families stay informed and connected.

Visit Brown’s Parents and Families Website