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Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program Descriptions

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute  (2006–2009 & 2009–2012)

Program Description:

Worcester Polytech Institute (WPI) will enhance, expand, and make available to other campuses: (1) Student Support Network (SSN), a comprehensive suicide prevention program developed by the Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC).  SSN is a six-week training program that has improved the network of student support at WPI and can serve as a model for enhancing the network of safety on campuses nationwide.  WPI will expand and evolve the SSN training model to incorporate stigma reduction elements drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT stigma reduction training protocols are oriented in part towards promoting acceptance by helping individuals understand the universality of mental health struggles.

In addition to continuing peer training, the SSN training series will be implemented for key faculty and staff as well as groups of students who are known to underutilize mental health services: international students, underrepresented students, and graduate students. Also, WPI will seek to develop and deploy population-based messaging aimed at mental health stigma reduction based on key core concepts identified in the ACT model. WPI will seek to standardize and disseminate the SSN program to interested campuses across the country.

Contact Information:
Charles Morse, MA, LMHC
Director
Student Development & Counseling
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: 508-831-5540
Email: cmorse@wpi.edu

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