Project Grant H79SM089942

This Project Grant award, valued at $101,382 and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.243) program, aims to support the University of Puerto Rico's Rio Piedras Campus (UPRRP) in establishing a comprehensive Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness Program for its diverse student population of approximately 11,500 graduate and undergraduate students.

The key products and services to be delivered through this 3-year project include: 1) Conducting a comprehensive assessment of mental health and substance abuse needs on campus to inform targeted interventions; 2) Developing and implementing a mental health risk detection system using machine learning to identify students at risk of suicidal behavior, mental health issues, and substance abuse; 3) Creating a referral and tracking system to ensure timely identification and monitoring of at-risk students; 4) Providing training to on- and off-campus healthcare providers in evidence-based evaluation and treatment of mental and substance abuse disorders; 5) Updating the institutional mental health crisis protocol and establishing a directory of available services; 6) Delivering comprehensive Mental Health First Aid training to students, faculty, and staff; and 7) Promoting campus-wide resilience and mental health awareness through educational campaigns, workshops, and outreach events.