The stress of the pandemic has deepened mental health struggles among college students, including an alarming increase in suicidal thoughts. This is a problem that we must address urgently here at SUNY Potsdam. Addressing our student’s mental health is critical to student retention. We know through our official withdrawals and leave of absences that mental health is the number one reason students leave the institution.
The Counseling Center will be providing a suicide prevention training called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) to every member of the SUNY community. It takes less than an hour and over the last 12 years we have had a significant number of students who were planning to end their lives be saved by QPR trained staff here at Potsdam. In addition, they will be presenting Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance: AAA Mental Health, to assist faculty and staff with understanding the specific mental health concerns of our students and how best to assist them.
The dates, times and locations are listed below, and it is encouraged that you and your colleagues attend if you are able.
It is hopeful that it will provide an opportunity for all of us to increase our ability to support our students and our broader campus community during these challenging times. To register for a QPR Suicide Prevention training session and/or the AAA Mental Health training, please just click the Doodle link below.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training:
Thursday, Oct. 14
This session will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Satterlee Hall Room 205. Limited to 30 participants.
https://doodle.com/poll/7kf5hve4hd3rngpn?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
AAA Mental Health Training: Understanding and Supporting the Specific Mental Health Needs at SUNY Potsdam
Wednesday, Oct. 20
This session will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in Satterlee Hall Room 0222. This session is also limited to 30 participants
https://doodle.com/poll/g7sqsaxa96pvxs9v?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link