Counselors at the RWU Center for Counseling and Student Development can no longer meet with students in person since campus closed due to COVID-19. As a result, the center has adjusted to these changes, offering online services and finding a counselor for students to speak with.

Each weekday, the center posts a new article on a different topic. Some of these topics include stress, remote learning, humor and boredom. This content can also be found on its Facebook page and soon will be on its Instagram (@rwucounselingcenter), Center Director Christopher Bailey told The Hawks’ Herald.

This content does not only include written words, but also a live kitten webcam that streams 24/7, 365 days a year. There is also a virtual museum tour, with hopes it will help alleviate some stress while students are stuck in their homes. 

Virtual services are being offered temporarily, but not all students can meet virtually with their RWU counselors. The reason for this involves state licensure laws. Students can only meet virtually with their campus counselors if the state where the students are located allows it.

“Some states do not allow us to meet with a student virtually, some states allow for it without many restrictions, while other states permit it only under certain conditions and sometimes for only a brief time,” Bailey said. “We can assist with referrals for students not allowed or not interested in meeting with us virtually.”

For a referral, students can call the center at (401) 254-3124 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with their full names, cell phone numbers and current cities and states. Bailey also told The Hawks’ Herald that students can go to Psychologytoday.com

and Zencare.co

to get a referral.

This transition was challenging for the center, as it is not easy for anyone during this pandemic. For on-campus emergencies, contact Public Safety at (401) 254-3333. If students have an emergency off campus, contact 911, the East Bay Center at (401) 246-0700 if in Rhode Island or visit a local hospital’s emergency room. 

“As always, we continue to be present as a support for all students,” Bailey said. “The current situation is different as our support needs to be exclusively virtual because of social distancing. We definitely look forward to students returning to campus in the future and meeting with them again in person.”