University of Louisiana – Monroe

The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) HELPS (Helping Educators and Learners Prevent Suicide) project will support a comprehensive and coordinated campus effort designed to educate faculty, staff, incoming freshmen and their families, as well as the student body at large, about the risk and protective factors associated with suicide and suicide ideation to help (1) increase the identification of students at risk for suicide or with mental and behavioral problems that may increase the risk of suicide, (2) appropriately respond to students at risk, (3) promote help seeking behaviors and recommend appropriate referral sources, and ultimately (4) prevent death by suicide as well as suicide attempts by ULM students.

The program will: (1) Educate and empower faculty, staff and police officers.Professional development seminars and courses will be developed along with paper and electronic awareness campaigns. (2) Enhance already existing services and training programs aimed at educating incoming freshmen and their families. Educational workshops will be developed along with culturally appropriate paper and electronic awareness campaigns. (3) Enhance already existing services and training programs aimed at educating the ULM student body at large.Culturally appropriate electronic and paper educational tools and awareness campaigns will be developed.