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Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program Descriptions

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Boston University  (2009–2012)

Program Description:

The goals of Boston University Suicide Prevention Program (BUSPP) are to: 1)increase awareness, both universally and within targeted populations, of the signs and symptoms of depression, student distress, suicide risk, and helpful university resources; 2) increase help-seeking  stigma, lack of awareness, cultural barriers, and misinformation that inhibit utilization of mental health services and resources on campus and within our community; 3) enhance linkages within the University community between mental health services, substance abuse services, gatekeepers, faculty, staff, students, families, and relevant external community services in such a way that they are sustainable and promote a Boston University culture of wellness.

The BUSPP activities include:  (1) conducting bi-annual enhanced gatekeeper trainings; (2) focus groups with targeted populations to inform the relevancy of gatekeeper training, educational seminars, and development of suicide prevention materials; (3) creating monthly family and faculty e-newsletters on mental health prevention and promotion, suicide risk and university resources; and (4) year-long high-visibility programming for the entire University to reduce stigma. Planned outcomes include increases in help-seeking behaviors, decreased suicide attempts, increases in university prevention activities, infrastructure and university network strength, increases in utilization of suicide prevention resources, and student role competence.

Contact Information:
Dori Hutchinson, ScD
Director of Services
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Boston University
940 Commonweath Ave.
Boston, MA 02215-1203
Tel: 617-353-3549
Email: dorih@bu.edu

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