Health Promotion

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H.O.P.E. Line

Students in distress can call 401-456-4673 (HOPE) to confidentially speak with licensed clinician. This service is available to students 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

We offer information on how to live a healthy lifestyle and encourage making positive behavior choices. We strive to achieve this mission by:

  • Being a resource center for Rhode Island College students to obtain information and services needed to improve and maintain their health
  • Advocating, creating and maintaining a community that encourages environmental, physical, social, intellectual, and emotional wellness to support a healthy lifestyle and encourage student success
  • Creating and implementing health initiatives aimed to improve individual and community health at Rhode Island College.
  • Collaborating with students, faculty and staff, and other organizations on and off campus to encourage and foster health initiatives on campus
  • Maintaining cultural competence and expanding the understanding of the links between culture, identity, and social justice as determinants of health
  • Offering confidential individual consultation and referrals for students in need

Resources

On Campus:

Rhode Island College Drug and Alcohol Policy

View the policy

RICovery​

RICovery​ – a student organization for students seeking a safe place to gain knowledge and support with substance use and recovery for themselves or those they care about.

Email RICovery
RIC Counseling CenterRIC Health Services

Off Campus:

Anchor Recovery Community Center
249 Main St, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 721-5100
PEER-TO-PEER Support Services

RECOVERY HELPLINE: 401-942-STOP

RI CARES (401) 475-2960 organization is holding Refuge Recovery Groups (Thursdays 7:30 - 8:45pm)
Held at: 134 Mathewson St
3rd Floor
Providence RI
info@ricares.org
"Refuge Recovery is a community of people who are using the practices of mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity to help heal the pain and suffering that addiction has caused in our lives and the lives of our loved ones."

SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training)
SMART Recovery is a support group for persons recovering from, or considering recovering from, an addiction to substances, addictive behaviors, or both.
For questions or more information, call 1-866-951-5357.
Thursdays, 7-8pm
Butler Hospital
345 Blackstone Boulevard
Providence, RI
Ray Conference Center, Room 3

Addiction Is A Disease

Alcohol

Finding and Getting Help:

  1. Rhode Island College Counseling Services: If you're unsure about your drinking, the Counseling Center offers a 2-session intervention called BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students). BASICS will help you more carefully assess the risks and benefits of your current drinking pattern without labeling you. It will provide feedback about how your drinking compares with your peers. If you're interested it can also give you some specific suggestions on how you can reduce the negative consequences that sometimes go with drinking excessively without giving up alcohol and having a good time. If you would like to take the assessment to see where you stand you may visit the Counseling Services.
  2. Treatment for Alcohol Problems

Drugs

Pain Pills:

Examples of pain pills include Codeine, Darvocet / Darvon, Demerol, Dilaudid, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Morphine, OTC Drugs, Oxycodone, and Tramadol

Heroin:

Illicit Drugs:

  1. Examples of illicit drugs are Cocaine, Crack, Ecstasy, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Ketamine, Marijuana, and Meth
  2. Recognizing drug abuse: https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/

Benzodiazepines:

Examples of benzodiazepines include Ativan, Halcion, Klonopin, Librium, Valium, and Xanax

Stimulants:

Examples of stimulants include Adderall, Antidepressants, Concerta, Dexedrine, Diet Pills, Ritalin, and Steroids

Sleeping Pills:

Tobacco/Nicotine Products:

Rhode Island College Nutritionist

Bethany Tucker RD, LDN, Consulting Dietitian/ Nutritionist
(401) 456-8477 or btucker@ric.edu

 

Fruits and Vegetables

  • Incorporating fruits vegetables into your diet has many health benefits including reduced risk of chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Fruits and vegetables help to nourish your body by providing nutrients vital to the health and maintenance of your body.
  • Incorporating more vegetables into your diet
     

Whole Grains

Protein

Proteins contain nutrients that are vital to the health and maintenance of the body, such as magnesium, Vitamin B, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Beverages

 Many times, individuals do not consider how beverages can have as many calories as certain foods. Some beverages have added sugars and no nutrients to nourish the body.

Disordered Eating:

RIC HOPE Line

Do you feel distressed? Do you wish to speak with someone?

Please call the 24/7 Rhode Island College HOPE line: 401-456-HOPE (4673)

The HOPE line is in addition to the counseling center and has been established to provide continuous support to our campus community. Please note that if you are in need of immediate support, please dial 911 and proceed to your local emergency room.​​​

On-Campus Resources

​Counseling Services - We we​lcome you to visit the Center for Health and Wellness and learn more about our free and confidential group counseling, individual counseling, couples counseling, emergency, and outreach offerings!

  • Rhode Island College Counseling Services has a confidential online Mood and Anxiety Disorder Screening Questionnaire that can help you assess your mood
  • Rhode Island College Group Counseling Sessions Available!

Health Services - Provides confidential and holistic primary health care to all students living on or off-campus, part-time or full-time, with or without insurance.

Stress:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/stress_factsheet_ln_142898.pdf

Depression:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-college-students-new/index.shtml

Anxiety:

Sleep:

College students are one of the most sleep-deprived populations, which has been linked to lower GPAs. This is because sleep affects concentration, memory and the ability to learn

Grief and Trauma:

Student Veteran Health:

Other Mental Health Concerns:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

Female Reproductive Health

Provides Gynecological Visits Including:

  • Annual Exams (PAP Smear As Indicated)
  • Breast Exams
  • Birth Control
  • STI Screenings
  • Free Pregnancy Testing
  • Menstrual Cycle Irregularities
  • Other GYN Problems
  • Free condoms, dental dams, and female condoms

Unity Center/Women’s Center (Lower level Donovan Dining Center):

The mission of the Women’s Center is to educate and advocate for the advancement of women’s equality and issues at the college and within the community.

  • Free menstruation products and information
  • Free condoms, dental dams, and female condoms

Male Reproductive Health

Provides Annual and Problem Visit:

  • Testicular Screening
  • STI screening
  • Skin Evaluations
  • Other Genital-Urinary Complaints
  • Free Condoms provided

On-Line Resources:

  • Testicular cancer is rare, but is most common in men between the ages of 20-30 years old. What it is and how you can protect yourself
  • Erectile Dysfunction: Male sexual dysfunction can be a common problem. Information about normal male sexual function and the causes of sexual dysfunction is available. More effective treatments are available as well. Normal male sexual function requires healthy interactions within a body’s vascular, neurologic, hormonal, and psychological systems
  • Premature Ejaculation

LGBTQ+ Specific Care

Provides Inclusive Holistic Care

RIC is committed to providing high quality, accessible and cost effective services in a non-judgmental atmosphere that values diversity and respects individuality.

  • Gynecological and Genital Urinary Care
  • Coordination with Endocrine Specialists with Transitioning
  • Assistance with Hormone Administration As Prescribed by Endocrine Specialist
  • STI Screenings
  • Birth Control
  • Free Pregnancy Testing
  • Free Condoms, dental dams and female condoms

Pregnancy Options

Center for Health and Wellness: Free Pregnancy Testing and Options Discussion
Unity Center/Women’s Center

Planned Parenthood:
Planned Parenthood Providence Health Center
175 Broad Street, Providence, RI 
(401) 421-9620

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraceptive, also known as the morning after pill, is a backup method of birth control when there is a possibility that your current birth control method has failed (ie. Broken condom, forgot to take pill, etc). It can also be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it the more effective it is. You can buy Emergency Contraceptive over the counter at any drug store.

Preventing Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infections:

Information Regarding PEP and PrEP (Preventing HIV Exposure)

Miriam STI Free Clinic: (See Information Listed Above) - PrEP evaluations and follow up are done at this office.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):

  • PrEP is a daily pill that can be taking for individuals who do not have HIV but are at an increased risk of HIV exposure
  • https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis/

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP):

Getting Treatment:

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Education and Advocacy at Rhode Island College

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Education and Advocacy is being implemented throughout our RIC campus with a mission to create a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all RIC students free from sexual and relationship violence.

Advocacy for Survivors/Victims:

  • IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE CRISIS, CALL 911
  • Title IX – Please visit the Title IX page for policy and reporting information and a comprehensive list of on and off campus resources regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, etc.
  • RIC Sexual Assault Brochure (Off and On-Campus Guide)
  • Campus Security
  • On Campus Confidential Resources and Support:
    RIC Health Services
    RIC Counseling Center

Prevention Education and Spreading Awareness:

Green Dot at RIC is an evidenced based bystander violence prevention program that reduces the prevalence of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. Green Dot promotes a culture where

  • Violence will not be tolerated
  • Every member of our community is expected to do their part to prevent violence
  • Hundreds of RIC students, staff and faculty have been trained by the RIC Green Dot team including all incoming freshmen

Empowerment Opportunities to Specific At-Risk Populations:

An evidence-based “Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence” called STOP SV developed for communities and states by the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention is being used by RIC to guide our education and resources for students, faculty and staff.

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-prevention-technical-package.pdf​​​​​​​

Influenza 

Reduce the spread of influenza by being vigilant about hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, avoid close contact with others who are sick and get the seasonal flu vaccine.

Cold or Flu
Information is provided by the Centers for Disease Control

The Center for Health and Wellness can provide Flu Kits which include masks, disposable thermometers, over-the-counter medications to help with your symptoms, and self-care information. 

Influenza Symptoms 

  • Fever (100 degrees or above) / Feeling feverish/chills
  • Dry cough 
  • Sore throat 
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches 
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

If you develop a high fever, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting/diarrhea, next stiffness or rash, confusion, or if flu-like symptoms improve but then return with high fever and worse cough, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

You can receive your meningitis vaccine by Health Services - two vaccines are required to fight the strains of the disease including Meningitis B vaccine and the Menactra vaccine. Resident students are required to take the Menactra vaccine to reside on campus.

Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. These illnesses are often severe and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). Meningococcal disease is treatable with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important.

Rhode Island College entrance

Contact Us

Center for Health and Wellness

We are here to provide confidential and holistic primary health care and counseling to enhance the academic potential of our students. Telehealth Appointments Available.