FREE T-shirts and food at All Events (while it lasts!)
Can't make an event but still want to stay in the loop? Follow us on Twitter with hashtag #UTSPW
Tuesday, September 25
Be That One. Who Helps Their Student/Friend
Suicide Prevention Workshop
6 - 7 PM
UNB, 3.128, Sinclair Suite
Presenter: Elizabeth Wilson, PhD Candidate in Counseling Psychology and Graduate Assistant for Be That One. Suicide Prevention Program
Research shows that students first turn to their support systems before seeking help from professionals. As such, it is important that all members of the UT community be able to recognize the signs that indicate their students or friends may be thinking about suicide and take the necessary steps to help them. This interactive workshop will teach participants how to recognize these signs, how to ask about suicide, and how to refer students or friends to appropriate mental health professionals. For more information, go to Be That One.
Wednesday, September 26
"Like" to Save a Life Online: Suicide Prevention Via Social Networking Sites
12 - 1 PM
Gregory Gym, Games Room
Presenter:Marian Trattner, UT Suicide Prevention Coordinator
What would you do if your Facebook Friend or Twitter Follower expressed sadness or thoughts of suicide? Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Tumblr, have become important ways for students to communicate their feelings and share information about a variety of topics, including their suicidal thoughts. If you notice concerning posts, what can you do to help? Find out what works and how you can save lives using these sites.
Continue the conversation on Twitter!
1:30 - 2 PM
Hashtag #SPWChat
Presenters:
Dr. Laura Ebady, Staff Psychologist and Outreach Coordinator for the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center
Marian Trattner, UT Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Continue the conversation with us on Twitter! Join Dr. Laura Ebady and us as we learn ways to help support our students and friends off line. Send us your questions about social media and suicide prevention or in general about how to support a friend/student with mental health concerns, at Twitter hastag #SPWChat.
When a Student Dies by Suicide: How do we cope? How do we heal?
6 - 7:30 PM
SAC, 1.106
Presenters: Darleen Cameron, Survivor of Son's Suicide and Secretary for the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Central Texas Chapter
Tracy Franklin, Survivor of Brother's Suicide and Chair for the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Central Texas Chapter
Alicia Garces, Counselor, UT Counseling and Mental Health Center
Christa Lopez, UT Senior Coordinator of Student Emergency Services
The American Association of Suicidology estimates that for every death by suicide there are at least six survivors. Survivors are the family, friends, classmates, partners, and university faculty/staff that are left behind when a student dies by suicide. There are no simple reasons for why a student decides to take his or her own life. Survivors of suicide are not looking for their lives to return to "normal" because things can never go back to how they were. They just want to adjust to life without the one they lost. But what does this mean and how do they adjust? What does this specifically mean for college students who lose a friend or family member to suicide? We'll explore these questions through watching a short film and hearing from a panel of survivors themselves who lost loved ones to suicide.
Thursday, September 27
Be That One. Who Helps Their Co-Worker
Suicide Prevention Workshop
12 - 1 PM
NOA, 4.106A
Presenters: Mary Bade, PhD, Counselor for UT HealthPoint: Employee Assistance Program
Research shows that rates of suicidal behaviors are increasing for middle-aged adults. As such, it is important that all members of the UT Faculty and Staff community be able to recognize the signs that indicate their co-workers may be thinking about suicide and take the necessary steps to help them. This interactive workshop will teach UT Faculty and Staff how to recognize these signs in their co-workers, how to ask about suicide, and how to refer their co-workers to appropriate mental health professionals.
Tejas Coffee
"True Stories of Help and Hope" Video & Discussion
9 PM - 10 PM
2600 Rio Grande
Presenter:Presenter: Marian Trattner, UT Suicide Prevention Coordinator
We'll be watching short videos, created by Mental Health America of Texas, of Central Texas teens and college students who themselves have experienced mental health issues and suicidal thoughts or have helped their friends with these issues. Join us for informal discussion on how we can raise awareness of mental health on our campus and support students who are struggling.
Friday, September 28
Be That One. Who Helps Their Student/Friend
Suicide Prevention Workshop
12 - 1 PM
UNB, 3.116
Presenter: Benjamin Spear, PhD Candidate in Counseling Psychology and Graduate Assistant for Be That One. Suicide Prevention Program
Research shows that students first turn to their support systems before seeking help from professionals. As such, it is important that all members of the UT community be able to recognize the signs that indicate their students or friends may be thinking about suicide and take the necessary steps to help them. This interactive workshop will teach participants how to recognize these signs, how to ask about suicide, and how to refer students or friends to appropriate mental health professionals. For more information, go to Be That One. Suicide Prevention Program
All Week
"Fighting Back Against Mental Health Stigma" Display
8 AM - 5 PM
Gregory Gym Concourse
Stigma. Mental health. We hear these words go hand-in-hand all the time. But what does stigma really mean? How do we recognize it? More importantly how do we fight to reduce it? Come learn how to help your friend or student who's battling mental health stigma by checking out this exhibit at Gregory Gym.
"College Health is Mental"* Infographic Display
8 AM - 5 PM
Tri-fold Display in the Health Promotion Resource Center
Student Services Building
Facts and stats about mental illness can be startling to say the least. Yet it's surprising how few students are aware of these facts or know how to seek help in times of distress. Come take a look at this infographic to clear up misconceptions and build awareness about mental health.
*Information for this display is adapted from the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare's infographic, "Health is Mental"
* If you need assistance or accommodation for this event, contact Marian Trattner, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at 475-6962 or email at mtrattner@austin.utexas.edu.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center would like to give special thanks to the following campus groups and organizations for their support of Suicide Prevention Week:
