Resilience rising: uniting for suicide prevention and mental wellness - westfield state university requests funding to implement the resilience rising: uniting for suicide prevention and mental…

Resilience rising: uniting for suicide prevention and mental wellness - westfield state university requests funding to implement the resilience rising: uniting for suicide prevention and mental wellness project. This project aligns with the objectives outlined in both the federal government's national strategy for suicide prevention (goal 7) and the massachusetts strategic plan for suicide prevention. The need for evidence-based training in suicide-specific assessments, management, and the delivery of effective clinical care is critical. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults aged 10 to 24 and the 15TH leading cause of death overall in massachusetts. The goal of our project is to 1) prevent and reduce instances of suicide, mental health, and substance use disorders while promoting help-seeking behavior and reducing stigma, and 2) improve the identification and treatment of at-risk WSU students, so they can successfully complete their studies and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Objectives include: objective 1. Establish a dedicated behavioral health coordinator position to oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive behavioral health services. This position will be a clinician who can provide case management and conduct assessments. IT will increase the capacity of the counseling center to treat more students, conduct drug and alcohol assessments, and work with stakeholders to provide comprehensive educational and prevention programming. Objective 2. Reduce the counseling hours-to-staffing ratio from 405 hours per staff member to 365 hours per staff member, to provide a more sustainable and effective mental health service delivery model, benefiting both counselors and clients alike. Objective 3. Improve coordination of education and outreach of mental health services by working with a team of stakeholders including lgbtqia+ student groups, office of veteran services, residential life, and others. This group will hold one meeting per semester with stakeholders to coordinate events, messaging, and resources to promote mental health. Objective 4. Train a group of individuals through a clover.EDU train-the-trainer program. Trainers will conduct training sessions for at least 300 additional faculty, staff, and students over the grant period. This program will be designed specifically for suicide prevention training for college students. By implementing these strategies and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, WSU will create a comprehensive and inclusive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. This will help create a supportive and inclusive campus environment where all students, including lgbtqia+ students and veteran students, feel valued, supported, and empowered to seek help when needed.