Student Care Steps
If this is an emergency situation, including an imminent threat of harm to self or others, call 911 or the UNC Police Department at 919-962-8100.
If this is not an emergency situation, review the resources and links on this page.
If you do not see the resources you need here, if you’re unsure of where to start, or if you would like to meet with someone to discuss your options, contact Kate McAnulty, Laura Thorp and/or Ali Ramirez in The Graduate School’s Office of Student Affairs.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- CAPS staff are strongly committed to addressing the mental health needs of a diverse student body through timely access to consultation and connection to clinically appropriate services. CAPS offers walk-in assessments to discuss concerns.
- Call CAPS 24/7 at 919-966-3658
- Call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Text START to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741
- Office of Student Affairs at The Graduate School
- Student Affairs provides guidance in all aspects of the graduate student experience, including but not limited to academic ineligibility, extension of time to degree, advisor/mentor concerns, interpersonal conflicts, general academic support, leaves of absence/parental leave, and withdrawals.
- Graduate School Student Affairs Team
- Office of the Dean of Students
- We encourage you to submit a Care Referral Form to report any concerns you have for a student. Your referral will be assigned to a member of staff in the Dean of Students office for review and response within two business days.
- Care Referral Form
- Resources
- Heels Care Network – I’m Concerned about Someone
- Offers guidance for having a conversation with someone that you’re concerned about and how to access additional supports.
- Resources that center graduate and professional students
- Office of Student Affairs at The Graduate School
- Student Affairs provides guidance in all aspects of the graduate student experience, including but not limited to academic ineligibility, extension of time to degree, advisor/mentor concerns, interpersonal conflicts, general academic support, leaves of absence/parental leave, and withdrawals.
- Office of The Dean of Students
- The Dean of Students team provides programming, administrative services, and individualized support—both personal and academic—to empower Carolina students to succeed in navigating their university experience.
- International Student and Scholar Services
- If you are an international student who needs information regarding enrollment requirements, maintaining your immigration documents and records, travel, program extension or degree completion, among other areas, please reach out to the office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). You can make an appointment to speak with one of the international student and scholar advisors.
- University Ombuds Office
- The University Ombuds Office is a safe place where all Carolina staff, faculty, students, and administrators are welcome to talk in confidence with an independent and impartial ombuds about any campus issue, problem, conflict, or dispute. An ombuds will listen, help you evaluate your situation, and identify options to help you move forward. They offer coaching, facilitated conversations, informal mediation, and other services.
- Carolina Recovery
- Carolina Recovery strives to create an inclusive and accepting environment where any UNC-Chapel Hill student seeking recovery can build community, flourish personally, thrive academically and foster enduring resiliency. We provide each student with a customized success plan and proactive recovery-focused programming facilitated by staff, local professionals and peer-based support. This affords our community of students the opportunity to enjoy a reduced-substance-use or substance-free collegiate experience while excelling at UNC-CH. We believe the collegiate recovery experience connects or reconnects students with their core values and purpose.
- University Compliance Office
- The University Compliance Office serves as a private resource for sexual and gender-based violence, harassment and discrimination based on protected status, relationship violence, stalking and related misconduct.
- Students can report an incident by connecting with a report and response manager (reportandresponse@unc.edu) or visiting the University Compliance Office website. Report and response managers can serve as a guide for supportive measures. Supportive measures can include campus no-contact orders, housing and class schedule changes, professor notifications, requests for approved absences, assistance with parking and transportation, and more.
- Safe at UNC
- Safe at UNC offers support for someone who has been impacted by discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, interpersonal (relationship) violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking may need resources and support immediately following an incident, and/or in the weeks, months, and years moving forward.
- Accessibility at UNC
- For concerns involving accessibility
- Carolina Ethics Line
- For ethical concerns, including research/scientific misconduct
- Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office and Safe at UNC
- For concerns involving harassment and/or discrimination
- Office of Dean of Students
- For concerns involving another student
- Student Conduct
- For concerns involving honor, integrity, ethical decision-making
- UNC Biomedical Research Environment Reporting Site
- For concerns involving the mistreatment of PhD students who entered through Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program (BBSP) or postdocs in the biomedical sciences.
- Office of Faculty Affairs
- For concerns involving faculty misconduct not covered by the offices listed above, please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at facultyaffairs@unc.edu.
- Graduate Student Parental Leave Policy
- The UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate Student Parental Leave Policy is designed to assist a full-time graduate student, who is a primary childcare provider, immediately following the birth or adoption of a child. It is designed to maintain the student’s full-time, registered student status, and facilitate return to full participation in coursework and, where applicable, research and teaching in a seamless manner. Contact Laura Thorp, director of student affairs at The Graduate School, with any additional questions.
- Emergency Funding Resource Hub
- This Emergency Funding Resource Hub connects graduate students with resources that may provide short-term financial assistance during urgent or unexpected circumstances. These resources are designed to support students experiencing temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen events that could disrupt their academic progress or impact their personal well-being. Emergency funding may help cover immediate expenses related to health crises, accidents, family emergencies, temporary housing needs, or other unexpected financial disruptions.
- Carolina Pantry Network
- The Carolina Pantry Network operates four pantries on campus and curates a list of resources providing food assistance to individuals of the UNC community.
- The Bynum Hall Food Pantry primarily serves graduate students. It is open in Bynum Hall Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. We offer meal kits, toiletry kits, baby kits and cleaning kits designed to bridge the gap. If you would like to visit the pantry, please email The Graduate School’s office of student affairs to confirm a time and ensure that someone is available to help you.
- NC College Food Benefits
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or FNS (Food and Nutrition Services) is the largest federal nutrition program in the U.S. In North Carolina, it is administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services and provides monthly benefits to purchase food. You can fill out a quick survey to see if you are eligible. SNAP/FNS participants receive extra money each month for healthy groceries.
- UNC Health Campus Care
- When you’re not feeling well or you have a health concern, it can be hard to bring your best self to class, work, activities and your social circle. UNC Health Campus Care at Carolina makes it easy to get the care you need, whether you make an appointment or come in for Same Day Care.
- University Compliance Office
- The University Compliance Office provides reasonable accommodations to students for disability, religion, pregnancy and medical conditions related to pregnancy. Support is provided for academic programs, activities and student employment on campus.
- Carolina Student Legal Services
- Carolina Student Legal Services, Inc. is a law firm on campus for currently enrolled UNC students. They provide legal advice, representation and referrals on a wide range of legal matters. They also provide notary services.
- Carolina Financial Well-Being Center
- The Carolina Financial Well-Being Center’s mission is to offer financial education, support basic needs, and empower individuals to improve their financial well-being. The center offers workshops and events on various financial topics, has extensive tools and resources to explore topics that interest you, and also offers Peer Financial Coaches who can work with you directly.
- Heels Care Network
- The hub of mental health at Carolina, this website allows users to review and filter mental health resources to find one that best meets their needs including 24-hour support options, training opportunities, peer support, and resources that center identity or campus affiliation. Also offers strategies to support someone you’re concerned about, mental health events, and educational content to support your mental health and well-being.
- Student Wellness
- The health education and promotion office on campus, offering an array of high impact programs and services to influence student well-being including recovery programs, wellness coaching and more.
- Preventative Measures Menu
- This menu offers evidence-informed options designed to promote community wellbeing, enhance emotional resilience, and support thriving academic environments. The menu items included provide practical skills for responding to stress, supporting others, and fostering a campus community of care. Whether you seek a short workshop, self-paced online learning, or a deeper dive into mental health skill-building, you can select an option that best fits your community’s needs.
- Office of Off-Campus Student Life
- The Office of Off-Campus Student Life is committed to educating all students (undergraduate, graduate and professional) in life skills related to living off campus and in the community.
