Student Crisis Information

CALL 911 to report an emergency or life-threatening situation.

For non-emergencies, call Bridgewater State University Police at 508.531.1212.
View BSU Police Emergency Procedures

When a student is in crisis or feeling overwhelmed, Bridgewater offers resources and supports to help manage through difficult situations. Whether the issue is related to a student’s health, welfare, mental health, physical safety, financial insecurity or another concern, our Care Team and other BSU professionals are here to help.

Students, their families, faculty, librarians and staff are encouraged to review the resources below for assisting a student in a crisis situation.

Student Crisis Resources

For threats of imminent harm, please call 911. For all other concerns please visit the Counseling Services page to access many mental health resources including our after hours clinical line.

For immediate assistance with a life threatening overdose, please call 911. For all other resources to assist with overdose prevention and harm reduction, please visit the Overdose Prevention page.

To report an incident, please use the Title IX Reporting Form. For all other concerns, or to learn about reporting and support for sexual assault, please visit the EO/Title IX page.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 for assistance. For all other concerns, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity page to file a report or find resources and support.

The Care Team accepts referrals and responds to students (and their families, faculty, and staff) when concerns for a student’s health, welfare, and safety are identified.

For emergency assistance with off campus housing, please call the Center for Student Support at 508-531-1503. Please visit the Emergency Housing Assistance page for additional resources for housing insecurity.

Additional Crisis Resources

BSU Police Department: 508.531.1212 or 911 from a main campus phone
A New Day (Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Hotline): 888.293.7273/508.588.8255
Brockton Area Multi Service (Crisis Service): 508.580.0801
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673
MA Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence: SafeLink: 877.785.2020
MA Statewide Drug & Alcohol Information & Referral Helpline: 800.327.5050
National Suicide Prevention Life Line: 800.273.8255
For BSU employees only, Employee Assistance Program provided by Mass4You: 844.263.1982

Academic Achievement Center: 508.531.1214
BSU Food Pantry: 508.531.1276
Care Team: 508.531.1276
Center for Student Support: 508.531.1276
Community Standards: 508.531.6177
Counseling Services * 24/7 Support: 508.531.1331
Equal Opportunity/Title IX: 508.531.2744
Facilities Management: 508.531.1296
Financial Aid: 508.531.1341
GLBTA Pride Center: 508.531.1408
Health Services: 508.531.1252
Human Resources & Talent Management: 508.531.1324
Military & Veteran Student Services: 508.531.2181
Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion & Equity: 508.531.6166
Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support Center: 508.531.2048
Student Accessibility Services: 508.531.2194
Student Success and Equity Interventions: 508.531.1407
University Police: 508.531.1212

Frequently Asked Questions

Suicide Prevention

If you can’t be sure that yourself, or the person in distress, can keep themselves safe from serious harm then calling 911 is the right move. It is better to call and seek guidance and assistance than to wonder about whether you did enough.

Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk, or is thinking about suicide can call or text the 988 lifeline to talk or text chat. The lifeline counselors are here to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing.

Possibly, but only if it’s necessary. If you call the BSU after hours service, and the clinician on the phone determines that the person of concern is in imminent danger, then the police will be contacted to facilitate transport to the nearest hospital (Brockton Hospital if you’re on campus). The national suicide hotline has a similar protocol, designed to keep people safe when they’re feeling suicidal.

No. The police assist with every mental health emergency on campus and are highly trained to respond to mental health calls. They arrive on scene to assess the situation and to make sure that the person of concern is safely transported to a facility where care can be delivered. If the police assess a situation and find that transport is not necessary, they collaborate with the BSU Wellness Center to make sure that students are seen to follow up with their mental health crisis. In all of these cases the police are happy to assist as part of their commitment to community policing.

There are many ways to get involved. For example:

Join the student group Active Minds, who focus on mental health advocacy.
Join the Wellness Center in our various programs, including National Suicide Awareness Month (Fall) and our annual Out of the Darkness walk to support suicide prevention (Spring).

Overdose Prevention

In areas other than approved or licensed locations, all persons are prohibited from being present where there are alcoholic beverage containers, whether those containers are full, partially full or empty. Except for employment or other permissive purposes, students under the age of 21 may not be in the presence of alcohol or alcohol containers. Please see the full Alcohol Policy.

When a student aids an intoxicated or impaired individual by contacting the Bridgewater State University Police or Residence Life and Housing staff, it is up to the discretion of the Director of Community Standards, or designee, to determine if any involved parties, student organizations the Community Standards process. This does not preclude action regarding other violations of University standards such as causing or threatening physical harm, damage to property, harassment, hazing, or violations of the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.

No, the campus does not currently host an AA meeting. For a listing of AA meetings close to campus please visit the Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Finder.

The BSU Police offer a training on the use of the opioid antagonist Naloxone (Narcan). For more information please contact Detective Sargent McAvoy of the BSUPD.

Narcan can be found in a “Naloxbox” can be found near the info desk of the RSU and inside most residence hall AED unit boxes.

Sexual Assault

Please review the “confidentiality and reporting” section of the EO/Title IX website. If you want to speak to someone on campus about a sexual assault before you know whether you’ll report, please make sure to reach out to one of our campus ‘confidential’ supports (Wellness/SVAS).

Confidential support can be found with the clinical staff at the Wellness Center and the staff of the Sexual Violence Advocacy and Support (SVAS) Center.

Please review the “preserving evidence” page at the EO/Title IX website to learn how best to proceed immediately after an assault. Please remember that you are not alone and BSU has many resources to assist you through this difficult time.

Domestic Abuse

There are many resources available to help you. We recommend that you first address your safety and the safety of any vulnerable populations involved (minors, elderly). Please contact your local police department or the BSU Police department to learn more about legal interventions. For shelters and other resources please check out this list of resources by county.

Yes, there are several ways to get assistance. You can seek a consultation at the SVAS center, the BSU Wellness Center or with our BSU Police. Relationship violence can occur even when you don’t live together and we’re here to support you in finding safety.

Emergency Housing

Yes. There are several options that may be available to you depending on your situation. The first move would be to contact Eileen Estudante, our single point of contact on Housing Insecurity, and set up a time to discuss your concern. Email lestudante@bridgew.edu or call 508.531.1819.

BSU can sometimes assist students with our Student Emergency Fund when there are no other viable options. We also encourage students to visit the Student Resource Page available on the Center for Student Support site for state-supported programs including MA Home Energy Assistance (HEAP).

The Center for Student Support and the Office for Residence Life and Housing would be happy to work with you to see whether this is an option that would make sense for you. The Center for Student Support can also connect you to additional resources on and off campus that may be helpful in your specific situation. The Center for Student Support can also be reached by phone at 508-531-1503.

Care Team

If you have concerns about a student's behavior or life experiences that do not necessitate and immediate response, you may submit a referral to the Care Team. For immediate emergencies, contact University Police by call 911 from a campus phone or 508.531.1212.

Make a referral by:

Submitting an online referral to the Care Team

The Care Team will evaluate the referral and determine the appropriate response. The Care Team will also notify other university officials as warranted.

BSU Works Menu Header

Student Crisis Information

CALL 911 to report an emergency or life-threatening situation.

For non-emergencies, call Bridgewater State University Police at 508.531.1212.
View BSU Police Emergency Procedures

Student Crisis Resources

Additional Crisis Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Suicide Prevention

Overdose Prevention

Sexual Assault

Domestic Abuse

Emergency Housing

Care Team

BSU Student Resources

How to Talk to Students

HOW TO BRING IT UP

HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT

HOW TO REFER

Distress Signals

Contact Us

Division for Student Life

Student Crisis Information

CALL 911 to report an emergency or life-threatening situation.

For non-emergencies, call Bridgewater State University Police at 508.531.1212. View BSU Police Emergency Procedures

Student Crisis Resources

Additional Crisis Resources

Accordion Content

24 Hour Hotlines

University Resources - All Campuses

Frequently Asked Questions

Suicide Prevention

Accordion Content

How do I know when to call 911?

Who should use the 988 lifeline or Lifeline Chat?

Will the police be involved if I call the BSU Counseling after hours number or the national suicide prevention hotline?

Will I be in trouble if the police are called to assist me?

I am not in crisis, how can I get involved with suicide prevention and mental health advocacy on campus?

Overdose Prevention

Accordion Content

Is BSU a dry campus?

What is the BSU Samaritan/amnesty policy?

Does Bridgewater State University host AA meetings?

How can I learn more about Narcan?

Where can I find Narcan on campus?

Sexual Assault

Accordion Content

How can I decide whether to report an incident?

Which members of the campus community are ‘confidential’ supports for sexual assault reporting?

I’m not sure I want to report anything, but I might later….what should I do?

Domestic Abuse

Accordion Content

I sometimes feel at risk when I’m at home with my partner, what can I do?

I have concerns for my safety in my relationship but I don’t live with my partner, are there any resources for me?

Emergency Housing

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I have a residence but I am either no longer welcome there, or feel unsafe there…..can I get assistance?

I have a place to live, but we won’t be able to keep the heat on this winter. Where can I get help?

The rent has gone up in my off campus apartment, can I move on campus if I can no longer afford to live off campus?

Care Team

Accordion Content

When should I consider making a referral?

How Can I make a referral?

What happens when a referral is made?

BSU Student Resources

How to Talk to Students

HOW TO BRING IT UP

HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT

HOW TO REFER

Distress Signals

Accordion Content

ACADEMIC INDICATORS

PSYCHOSOCIAL INDICATORS

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

SAFETY RISK INDICATORS

Contact Us

Division for Student Life

For non-emergencies, call Bridgewater State University Police at 508.531.1212.
View BSU Police Emergency Procedures