College of William and Mary

Suicide Prevention Program
Garrett Lee Smith Campus
Alumni
2012
Virginia

The College of William and Mary of Virginia, located in Williamsburg, is the second oldest institution of higher education in America. This public institutions student body of 5,900 undergraduates and 2,100 graduate students includes individuals from all 50 states and 43 foreign countries.

This grant-funded project is a highly collaborative effort for the campus. Drawing expertise from the Office of the Dean of Students, the Counseling Center, Health Promotion, The School of Education, and the Center for Student Diversity, this prevention program will target students, faculty, staff, and high-risk groups in an effort to help William and Mary students thrive during their time on campus.

Project activities include trainings for faculty and staff members, networking with area mental health providers, and life skills training for students. Through collaborations with both staff and student groups, the prevention program will reach high-risk subpopulations, such as veterans and LGBT students. In addition, the project will use a taxi service to connect students to off-campus mental health providers, thus increasing access to services. Through an anti-stigma campaign, an online program to help students in distress, and publication of resources, the project aims to create a safe and supportive environment where students watch out for each other and get help if needed.