Presented by Wendy NathanDirector of Counseling, Mercy College

Incorporated in 1992

Catholic Undergraduate institution

Focus on healthcare

1200 students Average age, 28

years

A bit about Mercy…

Mercy College of Ohio Counseling

Program

Suicide Prevention Efforts Ask, Listen, Refer Kognito Mental Health

Protocol Mercy CARES Emergency Cards Stigma Busting Impact

Yearly Programming

Brochures Collaboration Gatekeeper

training RA training Faculty Training

Hand Held SignWe borrowed this idea from “Take Back the Night.” People walked with the signs (if they wanted), and were encouraged to write the name of the person they were honoring on the sign.

Indoor and Outdoor Display“Road of Shoes”

Walking the Hall

Participants picked up shoes, read stories, and then learned about suicide facts and suicide prevention through the use of the large educational signs placed along the “road.”

Some of the signage

“How You Can Help” SignWe posted this at the end of the “road.”

Display at Lourdes University. Windy, but beautiful!

Survivor with ShoeShe was excited to show me the shoe she created!

Students Decorating Shoes

Visitors at the display We had over 300

people taking part in the event between the two days.

Mental Health Fair

Volunteers

Questions?

Step Up Speak Out

University Health Services

Psychological Services

Office of the VP for Enrollment Management and

Student Affairs

Police Services

March 11 & 18, 2014

Carrie Berta, Psy.D.

May 20, 2014

OPCSMH Spring Conference

Kent State University

Public university in northeast Ohio

8 campuses, 1 regional academic center, & College of Podiatric Medicine

40,559 total enrollment

Kent Campus:• 25,782 students• 6300 residential students residing in 25

residence halls

On-campus Mental Health Resources

Psychological Services:• Licensed clinicians employed by university• 6 FTE • 1 part-time psychiatrist

Counseling & Human Development Center• Training clinic for students in masters

program

Psychology Clinic• Training clinic for students in clinical

psychology doctoral program

Off-campus Mental Health Resources

Collaboration with Portage County Mental Health & Recovery Board

Townhall II• 24-Hour Crisis Helpline

Coleman Professional Services• Outpatient services, especially for

uninsured• Access: 24-hour psychiatric prescreening

(i.e., urgent evaluation for higher level of care)

Crisis Intervention Team Training • Kent State and Kent City Police

What is Step Up and Speak Out?

A suicide prevention campaign promoting:• Campus safety• Greater awareness of mental health

concerns• Greater awareness of available resources

Educates the University Community on:• How to assist in disruptive situations• How to assist distressed individuals• How to respond in these situations

•

Catalysts

Inspired by elements of The Ohio State’s Suicide Prevention program

Context:• Concerns being brought to Care Team

Inquiries received at Psychological Services• VP of EMSA request to focus on campus

safety • Resources!• Existing materials and information

•

Proposal

Presentation of proposal to Associate VP of EMSA and Dean of Students

• OSU materials and program• Comparison of staffing and resources

Wish List:• Website – revision of PS website,

development of specific website• Printed materials• App development• Support and assistance in development

and implementation• Dedicated position

Outcome

Got everything but a dedicated position

Collaborative effort of:• Psychological Services• Health Services• Office of VP for Enrollment Management

and Student Affairs• Police Services

Key supports

From proposal to completion: 7 months

Step up and recognize when you need support.Speak out when others cannot.Step up and notice what’s going on with those around you.Speak out and offer support.Step up and get help.Speak out and make a difference.Step up and be aware of warning signs.Speak out when you feel anyone is in danger.

Key Elements

• Distressed individuals

• Disruptive individuals

• Risk factors for suicide

• Resources, Resources, Resources

• Do something.

Materials

Revision of PS website

Development of Step Up Speak Out website

Development of Step Up Speak Out mobile app

File Folder

Hot Cards

Posters

Magnets

Budget?

7500 File Folders

8000 Hot Cards

300 Posters with tear off notes

10,000 Magnets

App Development

Web Development

Signum Design (branding)

Trainings and Presentations

• 33 completed in 2013-2014 academic year

• Very successful with faculty and staff

• Positive feedback, anecdotal evidence of use

Lessons Learned

• Reaching students

• Use of social media

• PR firm proposal

• Continue in AY 2014-2015

For More Information

Visit our website:

stepupspeakout.kent.edu

 

Download our app: Step Up Speak Out

For More Information

http://stepupspeakout.kent.edu

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phonegap.OSUReach

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.ruokosu.stepupspeakout