RESPOND: Partnering for Campus Mental Health

Mental health problems affect each of us. You can take action to RESPOND effectively. About 1 in 5 of us will experience a diagnosable mental illness this year. All of us experience emotional pain or distress at times in our lives. Most of us want to help yet often feel uncertain about what to do or say. RESPOND will empower you to offer effective support and useful referrals to a student or colleague. The course provides a basic overview of symptoms often associated with mental health problems and offers an action plan to help you RESPOND effectively. The course will address campus policies such as FERPA, as well as mental health resources.

RESPOND Refresher

This training is a 90 minute "refresher" course for past participants in the full day RESPOND training. We will review RESPOND, emphasize the highlights and practice some skills.

Who should attend?

Any Idaho State University faculty, staff, or administrators who wish to learn more about how to RESPOND to students or colleagues who are in distress. Graduate and undergraduate students who work in student-assistance roles are also welcome to attend these trainings.

What is the cost?

In our commitment to improving campus mental health, the RESPOND training is offered free of charge to participants at this time. 

Counseling and Testing is happy to facilitate a RESPOND training for an established group. Please contact Susan MaComb at susanmacomb@isu.edu to request a RESPOND training. 

Upcoming Training Dates

Check back soon for upcoming trainings!

Talk Saves Lives is American Foundation for Suicide Preventions' standardized, 90 minute program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.

Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and how to keep themselves and others safe.

Topics covered include:

• Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S., worldwide, and at ISU.
• Research: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical, and environmental factors that put individuals at risk.
• Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care.
• What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for, and how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis.

Upcoming Training Dates

Check back soon for upcoming trainings!

Counseling and Testing is happy to come present this workshop by request. For questions or to schedule a Talk Saves Lives for your department or group, please contact Susan MaComb at macosusa@isu.edu or call us at (208) 282-2130.

Losing a loved one to suicide can be a profoundly painful and isolating experience. The complexity of the emotions can feel overwhelming and often survivors struggle to know who to talk to for fear others won't understand. In this presentation we will discuss some of these factors, normalize reactions, and engage in a discussion designed to help participants gain greater understanding and support.

Upcoming Workshops

Check back soon for upcoming trainings!

Join us every Friday online for a 30 minute Mindfulness Meditation from 12:15-12:45pm

Mindfulness meditation is a proven way to help manage stress, and while fairly simple, not always easy. Having a group to meditate with makes it a little easier, and if you are new to meditation, we will provide instruction and guidance in the process. No experience necessary, it's free and all are welcome!

The meditation will begin at 12:15pm. We will meet weekly beginning August 26th, except for the day after Thanksgiving or if ISU is closed for any other reason. 

Click here to register