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Western Michigan University Suicide Prevention Program Online Training for Faculty and Staff

Western Michigan University Suicide Prevention Program is offering an Online Training for faculty and staff based on a Gatekeeper model for interested faculty and staff beginning November 2007.

What is Gatekeeper Training?

The training is an interactive program designed to be a basic introduction to suicide prevention. Participants learn how to recognize suicidal behavior, how to respond appropriately to potentially suicidal individuals, and where to find help. The training does not teach you how to do an in-depth clinical assessment of a suicidal individual. Gatekeepers have professional mental health support through the University Counseling and Testing Center.

What is a gatekeeper?

In the field of suicide prevention, a gatekeeper refers to someone who is willing to be the "safety net" for vulnerable students. After the training, a gatekeeper will:

• Know basic information about suicide
• Learn basic suicide intervention skills
• Know referral sources and have the confidence to respond to people at risk for suicide appropriately

Who should participate?

All Western Michigan University faculty and staff are eligible to participate.

What is in it for you?

By the end of the training, you will learn general knowledge about suicide statistics for college students with particular emphasis on special populations, risks, warning signs, and protective factors, and effective ways to intervene. You will also learn about resources available in the community and in communities in which Western Michigan University Extended University Programs are housed.

For more information:

Contact Dr. VanDeusen at suicidepreventionprogram@wmich.edu