The Howard University Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention (HU-MHASP) Program will provide training on mental health awareness and suicide prevention to Howard University students and two national organizations, National Association of Black Social Workers and Blackdoctor.org that focus on Blacks/African Americans. HU is an historically Black university with a majority African American/Black student population. The HU-MHASP program will provide evidenced-based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question, Persuade & Refer (QPR) gatekeeper suicide prevention training for MSW students and Resident Assistant in campus-based housing. The program will also provide annual webinars focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed practice for African Americans.
The project will serve over 11,000 students and members and NABSW and Black.org members over 5-years and annually serve 2,000+. The goals and 9 measurable program objectives are to:
1. Increase the capacity of Resident Assistants (HU) to recognize and respond to mental health challenges (including suicidal behavior) among Howard University Students in campus housing. Objectives:
1a- By the end of years 1-5, 100% of the RAs will be trained in QPR
1b- By end of years 1-5, 100% of RAs will be trained in MHFA
1c- By end of years 1-5, 50% of freshmen annually will complete online QPR training
2. Increase the capacity of Howard Master of Social Work (MSW) students to recognize mental health risks and conduct suicide risk assessments and among the clients they serve in their practicum placements. Objectives
2a- By the end of years 1-5, 100% of 1st year MSW students will be trained in QPR
2b- By end of years 1-5, 100% of 1st year MSW students will receive MHFA training.
2c- By the end of years 1-5, 100% of the first year MSW Students will complete virtual
training on suicide risk assessment using standardized patient.
3. Increase the specific knowledge of suicide risks and culturally specific intervention among African Americans across the life span for targeted groups including Howard University Students and two national organizations serving African Americans. Objectives:
3a- Annually 250 members of Blackdoctor.org will receive virtual training on Mental
Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention for African Americans
3b- Annually 250 members on the National Association of Black Social Workers will
receive virtual training on Mental Health Awareness and Suicide prevention
3c- Annually, 1,000 Howard University students will receive webinar training on mental
health awareness and suicide prevention