Suicide Prevention Trainings

Suicide prevention trainings (often referred to as “gatekeeper” trainings, are as important as CPR. The more people equipped with the knowledge and skills to notice and intervene in signs of distress, the safer our community. CPS and UMatter offer a number of trainings to support our campus community members in tuning into and addressing mental health distress, to prevent suicide. 

For staff and faculty

Introductory message from Dr. Calvin Chin, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services:

MindWise SOS for Higher Ed: Suicide Prevention for Faculty and Staff

Online training

SOS for Higher Ed: Suicide Prevention for Faculty & Staff is a 30-minute online, self-guided training designed to prepare university faculty and staff to respond to signs of distress in students. 

Using the ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) framework, the course features campus staff who have real experience supporting students at risk for suicide. It also offers hands-on scenarios to practice how to: 

  • Recognize signs of suicide in a student
  • Engage in conversations with students in need
  • Keep a student safe, while connecting them to resources
  • Help students build connections on campus
  • Feel prepared and confident to support students

Princeton University requires1 that all employees take the online training every year. 

For students

MindWise on Campus

Online training

One of the most important things we can do to make our community safer is to look out for one another.  We want to make sure you have the skills to intervene when you notice someone who could be in mental health distress. MindWise on Campus is a 30-minute simulation that trains students how to recognize warning signs of another student’s psychological distress, and how to use motivational interviewing to build trust and motivate the student to seek help.  

To access the simulation:

  1. Visit mindwise.digitalchalk.com and click "Create Account".
  2. Enter your name, Princeton University email address, and chosen password. Click "Create". 
  3. Enter the redemption code princeton and click "Next". 
  4. View the dashboard and choose "SOS for Higher Ed for Students”. 

Additional Training Opportunities

Princeton Distress Awareness and Response (PDAR) Training 

In-person training

For students, faculty and staff, we offer Princeton Distress Awareness and Response (PDAR) trainings. PDAR is an interactive session that teaches you how to recognize signs of distress in students and gives you the tools to effectively respond in these situations.  

  • Faculty and staff may request a workshop for their Department or their office to assist them in their work with students. 
  • We also have a peer-to-peer version of PDAR for students who want to learn about how best to recognize signs of distress in their friends and effectively support them.

Breaking the Silence on Suicide: What to Know and How to Help (Carebridge EAP)

Online training

For all Princeton University employees, this 1-hour pre-recorded training (from 5/15/24) helps you to discover the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, differentiate myths from facts and learn steps to take to help others.

Additional Resources

Campus

National

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 24/7 (988)

1In compliance with New Jersey bill NJ A1176