Key Points
- FSU’s University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) have received a four-year, $500,000 federal grant that FSU will match, creating a $1 million initiative to expand suicide prevention, mental health promotion and behavioral health access.
- The campus-wide program will strengthen prevention, crisis response, referrals and outreach, with a goal of training at least 4,000 students, employees and partners by the end of year four.
A new federal grant will help Florida State University expand suicide prevention and mental health support for students.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the four-year, $500,000 GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant to FSU’s University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). The funding will strengthen mental health resources and improve students’ quality of life.
The Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness (CHAW), part of UHS, will lead the initiative, “Noles Supporting Noles: A Comprehensive Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Promotion, and Behavioral Health Access.” CHAW is FSU’s primary health advocacy and prevention unit.
FSU is matching the award, bringing the program’s total funding to $1 million.
“This remarkable investment reflects the university’s shared partnership to support student wellness and our collective commitment to student success,” Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht said. “This award helps our mission to offer healthcare services and health education programs to promote a culture of well-being.”
The program aims to strengthen FSU’s comprehensive public health approach by expanding access to behavioral health services for students at risk of suicide, depression, mental health conditions, substance use disorders and related academic disruptions.
UHS provides more than 40,000 student visits annually, with mental health concerns a leading reason students seek care. In addition, CAPS provides counseling, crisis intervention, psychological assessment, treatment coordination, referrals and a 24/7 crisis hotline.
“Student well-being is fundamental to student success,” said Amy Magnuson, director of University Health Services. “This grant will help FSU strengthen suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and behavioral health access through a comprehensive, campus-wide approach that emphasizes early intervention, collaboration and connection.”
FSU maintains strong relationships with community behavioral health providers that extend the university’s continuum of care beyond campus services.
“We are grateful for the partnership of so many campus and community organizations whose continued collaboration will help ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive,” said Carlos J. Gómez, associate vice president for Health, Wellness, and Safety and dean of students.
Some funding will be used to expand prevention and early intervention services and training, improve behavioral health crisis response and referral systems, and increase awareness through outreach and education.
By the end of year four, at least 4,000 students, faculty, staff and campus partners will be trained in suicide prevention and early intervention through evidence-based training programs.
“We are excited to build on our programs that promote mental health, resilience and social connection,” said Yvonne Langdon-Maduekwe, director of CAPS. “This work is possible because of the dedication and commitment from our faculty, staff, students, and of course, our university’s support.”
The project will be supported by a multidisciplinary leadership team consisting of UHS, CAPS, CHAW and Student Affairs Assessment. The network will also include the FSU Police Department, Emergency Management, Department of Student Support and Transition, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Housing and Residence Life, New Student & Family Programs, Faculty Development, the Student Veterans Center, the FSU Psychology Clinic, the Assessment, Learning, Evaluation, and Counseling Center (ALEC), Athletics Mental Health Services, College of Medicine Student Counseling Services, the Career Center, academic advising partners and wellness-based student organizations.
This “Noles Supporting Noles: A Comprehensive Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Promotion, and Behavioral Health Access” was developed [in part] under grant number H79SM092211 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.
University Health Services and Counseling & Psychological Services are part of FSU’s Division of Student Affairs. For more information about FSU’s Division of Student Affairs, visit studentaffairs.fsu.edu.