November 1, 2005

GW Receives Federal Grant to Support Suicide Prevention

The George Washington University joins a group of 22 schools nationwide in receiving a Campus Suicide Prevention Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). GW’s award, administered by the University Counseling Center (UCC), is approximately $75,000 per year for up to three years, with an equivalent match from the University. The goal is to create a sustainable, responsive campus community for at-risk students through an awareness and education campaign.

“GW’s Student and Academic Support Services and Counseling Center administrators and staff have done an exemplary job of dealing with the high profile and day-to-day mental health needs of our community,” said President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. “I’ve encouraged and supported them to explore how we can continue to improve services and awareness. This grant is significant aid to complement existing resources.”

The grant will bolster GW’s suicide prevention efforts through the creation of an even more aware, trained, and caring campus community. UCC will leverage existing resources across campus to reach at-risk students. This campaign is multi-faceted and will use multiple media to raise awareness and use of UCC services; expand training programs for faculty, academic advisors, University police, residential life and student services staff, and student leaders; enhance targeting of at-risk populations (e.g. graduate and multi-cultural students, among others); expand partnerships with student groups; establish a “first responder” training program; and support emergency services, including the adoption of an after-hours talkline staffed by master’s-level counselors with feedback to the UCC for students requiring next day follow-up.

“This grant supplements the University’s resources to maintain a supportive and knowledgeable community through enhanced identification, referral, and emergency services,” said Robert A. Chernak, senior vice president for student and academic support services and associate professor for higher education administration. “Too many of our students have experience with depression or suicidal behavior, either personally or among friends and colleagues. While we may not still be able to reach everyone in need, we now have more help in trying to make a difference.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu