University of Idaho

The purpose of the University of Idaho Suicide Prevention Program is to develop comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable suicide prevention efforts on the UI campus to reduce student suicidal behavior including attempts and death by suicide. The goals of the program are to collaborate with on- and off-campus partners to train university gatekeepers utilizing the QPR training program, to present educational seminars and disseminate informational material on suicide and mental health issues to students and families, to increase awareness of and utilization of after hour crisis services and promote the services of the national crisis hotline, to develop and implement a campus wide campaign to increase help seeking behavior and utilization for mental and behavioral health problems and to coordinate with local hospitals and other mental health agencies to provide continuum of care for suicidal and mentally ill students. The targeted population for the program is all members of the University community on the Moscow, Idaho campus with intentional focus on underserved groups such as LGBTQA students, veterans, incoming-students, and Native American/Alaskan Native students, students with disabilities and students from other ethnic minority groups. Eight objectives were identified to accomplish the goals and create a safer community: (1) To conduct suicide prevention training to at least 60% of UI faculty and staff by the end of the three-year grant period. (2) To advertise and promote utilization of the afterhours crisis service provided by the Counseling & Testing Center and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (3) To develop and present, by peer educators, 1educational seminar per year to every first-year residence hall and all Greek houses. (4) To develop and present, by peer educators, one educational seminar per semester to each targeted group including but not limited to LGBTQA, American Indian/Native Alaskan, military family members, veterans, students with disabilities and ethnic minority students. (5) To develop and distribute informational material to 100% of the academic departments and Student Affairs offices for display. Informational material will also be displayed in areas commonly frequented by students such as the Idaho Commons, Residence Life Cafeteria, Student Recreation Center, Student Union Building and Kibbie Dome. (6) To conduct evidenced based screening on alcohol use and mood disorders to the general student population. (7) To educate the university community and families of students on the availability and benefits of counseling as well as the risk and protective factors associated with suicide. (8) To educate the university community and families of students on the availability and benefits of counseling as well as the risk and protective factors associated with suicide.