Evidence-Based Training | Student Mental Health Partnership (2024)

In addition to theunique training programs offered on each campus, UC has certified trainers whooffer training to students, faculty & staff in each of the followingevidence-based suicide prevention programs (as cited by the bestpractice registry). Contact your campus counseling centerto schedule training on your campus. Forcommunity members, Clickherefor a complete list of certified trainers inyour county (courtesy of the CSU Office of the Chancellor).

Question Persuade Refer (QPR)

QPR is an evidence-based training program for suicide prevention for campus professionals and community members who are in a strategic position to identify students at riskfor suicide (e.g. faculty, staff, RAs, TAs, peer counselors, mental health advocates, student leaders, etc.)

Learning Objectives:

Increase awareness about the problem of suicide
Enhance surveillance of others in distress and detection of suicide warning signs
Enact a three-step intervention to help a person at risk for suicide:

1) Question – question to determine if the person is at risk for suicide
2) Persuade – persuade the person at risk to seek help
3) Refer – refer to treatment

Website:
http://www.qprinstitute.com/about.html

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8-hour course where participants learn about risk factors, warning signs, stigma reduction, and skills for how to intervene and provide support to individuals developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, until professional treatment is obtained or the crisis is resolved. Upon completion, participants receive a three-year certification.

Learning Objectives:

Identify potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems
Gain an understanding of the prevalence of various mental health disorders and the need for reduced stigma in their communities
Demonstrate competence in a 5-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to assess the situation, to selectand implement appropriate interventions, and to help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional care

Website:
http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/program_overview/

Campus Connect

Campus Connect is a three-hour, interactive training program designed for use with a wide variety of campus personnel (e.g., faculty, residence life staff, academic advisors, health center staff, etc.). Designed specifically for a college/university community, Campus Connect is an experiential training focused on enhancing the gatekeepers’ knowledge, awareness, and skills concerning college student suicide. Beyond increasing the gatekeepers’ knowledge about students in a suicidal crisis, emphasis is placed on developing empathic listening skills,communication skills, and the ability to compassionately and directly ask students about their suicidal thoughts. Through increased awareness of their own emotional reactions, Campus Connect gatekeepers are able to more effectively respond to students’ emotional needs and increase the likelihood of a meaningful connection with the appropriate professional resources.

Learning Objectives:

Discussion of suicide myths and warning signs
Instruction on how to ask students if they are thinking about suicide and how to refer students to mental health professionals
Review of effective communication and relationship-building skills
Discussion of typical emotional reactions experienced both by students in crisis and responding gatekeepers
Participation in four experiential exercises
Participation in a guided group role play

Website:
http://counselingcenter.syr.edu/campus_connect/connect_overview.html

Know the Signs is a statewide suicide prevention social marketing campaign built on three key messages: Know the signs. Find the words. Reach out. This campaign is intended to educate Californians on how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to find the words to have a direct conversation with someone in crisis, and where to find professional help and resources.

The It's Up to Us campaign is designed to empower individuals in California counties to talk openly about mental illness, recognize symptoms, utilize local resources, and seek help. This campaign was developed through the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and funded by the County of San Diego Mental Health Services Act. Recovery is possible and help is available. It's Up to Us!