University of West Georgia

The Program foR Evaluation, InterVention, Education, aNd Treatment at the University of West Georgia (PREVENT@UWG) is a comprehensive program designed to prevent suicide and promote help-seeking behaviors for the general university population, and, most specifically, for students. PREVENT@UWG creates an opportunity to provide suicide prevention training to campus gatekeepers, who have recurring contact with students and are in the best position to make informed referrals. Specifically, PREVENT@UWG trains resident advisors, leaders of student organizations, and faculty and staff members, as well as first responders, to identify and respond to individuals who may be at risk for suicide, make appropriate and effective referrals, and break down barriers to help-seeking behaviors. PREVENT@UWG additionally delivers educational seminars, media campaigns, and outreach events designed to increase campus awareness of the issues surrounding suicide and to break down barriers to help-seeking behaviors. The program is supported by a Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs- (CACREP)-accredited counselor education program, a professionally staffed university counseling center, and a strong crisis response team. These fundamental supports combined with the model of preparing graduate students as the primary trainers assure the sustainability of PREVENT@UWG.

PREVENT@UWG was developed by a cross section of individuals from the campus community and is supported by a community- and campus-based Advisory Board, the members of which are all committed to suicide prevention while promoting mental and behavioral health awareness. Utilizing a developmental approach to teaching and outreach, PREVENT@UWG has the ability to impact its participants and recipients across scope and time. As evidenced by the PREVENT@UWG website, our staff has developed a comprehensive resource for our campus community which offers a wide variety of services, informational resources, and connections to campus suicide prevention and mental health initiatives for our students, their families, and our staff and faculty. The website focuses on the diverse needs of our campus community through a broad range of types of inclusion.