University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s School of Social
Work will utilize the Garret Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention funds to implement the Carolina Comprehensive
Approach to Suicide Prevention. UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Wellness, Campus Health,
Athletics Department, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will collaborate with BHS to address
the unrecognized and untreated behavioral health conditions of UNC students and to equip the UNC community with
the necessary information and skills to help students in need to get connected to appropriate supports. The goals of
the Carolina Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention include (Goal 1): Enhance mental health services for
UNC students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness, and/or substance use disorders
that can lead to school failure; (Goal 2): Prevent mental and substance use disorders that may, or could, emerge
during college enrollment; (Goal 3): Promote student help-seeking behavior and reduce negative public attitudes
among the UNC community and (Goal 4): Improve the identification and treatment of at-risk UNC students so they can
successfully complete their studies. By analyzing the interface between student life, campus behavioral health services
and resources, local referred providers, and any other key organizations, in a collaborative and inclusive process, this
project will identify and fill gaps related to the necessary components of a comprehensive approach. These components
include: identification and assessment; help-seeking; effective care and treatment; care transitions; responding to crisis;
postvention; access to means; life skills and resilience; and connectedness. Activities included in the project will be
performing a needs/gaps analysis and resource identification; gatekeeper training; policy and practice development; and
awareness campaigns.