Rhode Island officials mobilize mental health services in wake of Brown shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — As police continue their search for the Brown University shooting suspect, local students may be facing ongoing emotional challenges in the wake of the incident.

A top Rhode Island mental health official weighed in on what your student might be going through, and how to help them process and heal following the tragic shooting.

“There are a lot of questions now about ‘could this happen on my campus?’ Could this happen in my store, my community?” said Richard Leclerc, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals.

“That fear is there.”

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has met with college presidents and families throughout the state in the wake of the shooting.

McKee said that students, parents and officials alike are still trying to process what happened on Saturday on the East Side of Providence.

“Because the shooting happened on a college campus, we’re hearing from all the universities,” said Governor McKee.

“The families are saying the same things, whether they’re in K-12 or higher ed.”

McKee will be prioritizing safety and trauma issues in upcoming meetings with both Postsecondary Education Commissioner Shannon Gilkey and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green.

Director Leclerc has been meeting daily with colleges, DCYF and healthcare providers to ensure that everyone has what they need to address the effects of the shooting.

“Not only those living in Rhode Island, but those who’ve went home for the holidays who’ve been exposed to this trauma,” said Director Leclerc.

“The brain is just like any organ, if it’s been attacked, it’s going to take some time to heal.”

Family Service of Rhode Island and Hazel Health will partner with state officials to help bolster mental health services for students and families.

Director Leclerc said that students who are seeking services can also find them through their school.

“We want to make sure we’re coordinating, working with our universities on the issue of trauma, working through K-12,” said Governor McKee.

Behavioral health clinics throughout the state are also available to those who need them, according to Leclerc.

“They have walk-ins, they’ll see people regardless of ability to pay, age and immigration status.”