Outreach Training & Let's Talk
Outreach Training, Let’s Talk, Mental Health Ally
Here you will find resources provided by the Counseling Center to aid in mental health awareness and suicide prevention training.
Training & Workshops
Question Persuade Refer (QPR) - 1.5 hours
QPR is a nationally recognized suicide prevention gatekeeper training. This training is for the UNI campus community and helps all participants become knowledgeable in helping prevent a potential suicide.
In this 90-minute training you will learn:
- How to recognize the warning signs of suicide
- How to ask if someone is feeling or thinking about suicide
- How to encourage them to get help
- How to refer that person to the right support and care
VAR Training - 1 hour
A training created by Active Minds that provides steps that everyone can take in helping other people deal with everyday struggles. Learn how to listen and respond to others in a helpful way. This training is similar to the QPR training, however it is more broadly applicable.
Mental Health Ally Training - two-part, training 3.5 hours
Mental Health Ally training will allow you to create a culture of care and help-seeking behaviors related to mental health.
Part 1 of the training will teach you:
- Mental health basics
- Warning signs
- Causes of mental health
- Cultural differences
- Myths and facts
- Effects on students
- 90 minutes
Part 2 of the training will focus on:
- Addressing mental health stigma
- Creating a culture of care
- Increasing help-seeking behavior
- How to start talking about mental health
- How to be a mental health Ally
- 120 minutes
Men and Mental Health - 1.5 hours
This workshop explores cultural barriers for males regarding seeking help related to their mental health concerns. This discussion based workshop focuses on solutions to increase help seeking behavior in men and developing a more accepting culture.
Test Anxiety - 1 hour (by request only - prefer groups of 5+)
Test anxiety effects about 1 in 4 students on average. Being able to recognize and address text anxiety is vital in achieving your academic goals. This workshop aims at helping students learn:
- To identify the signs of test anxiety
- Understand the underlying causes
- To develop specific tools for preparing for tests
- Gain knowledge and skills to address the symptoms of test anxiety
- To regain confidence in test taking
Resilience - 1 hour (by request only - prefer groups of 5+)
We face many adversities as we work towards earning an education and balancing life’s challenges on a daily basis. Being resilient enables us to recover from these times and maintain our course without interruption. This workshop focuses on learning:
- The role resilience plays in dealing with and recovering from adversity
- Basic steps towards building resilience
- How to develop self-control
- How to rebuild confidence in managing life's challenges
- How to recover for a significant life event
The Art of Mindfulness - 1 hour
This introductory workshop explores the concept of mindfulness, including what mindfulness is, how it can be beneficial, and how to practice living more mindfully.
Time Management - 1 hour (by request only - prefer groups of 5+)
Time is a precious commodity while in college and it only makes sense to learn to use what you do have to the fullest. This workshop explores common time mismanagement and presents key skills and specific tools to take charge of your time and make the most of it.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
The days that have purple circles represent days with at least one scheduled training. If you click on one of those days, it will bring up the specific details about the trainings. If you would like to register for the training, then click the training description box and you will be directed to an additional page that has a 'register' button.
Let's Talk
Embedded Peer Mental Health Support Members - Spring 2023
Ana Maria Juarez Morales
Rita Nisius
Riley Rodemaker
Spring 2023 Schedule - Starting Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023
Mondays - two locations!
Counseling Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Rita)
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Ana)
CME Rm 113
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Ana)
Tuesdays
Counseling Center
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Riley)
12:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Rita & Ana)
Wednesdays - two locations!
CME Rm 113 [10-12p], Rm 109H [12-2:30p]
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Ana)
Counseling Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Riley)
Thursdays
Counseling Center
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Ana)
12:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Rita)
Fridays
Counseling Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Rita)
Nominate individuals, programs, organizations or departments for the Mental Health Ally Award
The University of Northern Iowa is committed to sharing the responsibility of mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Everyone has a role in cultivating a community built upon a foundation of shared connectedness and belonging. We recognize that there are university individuals, departments, student organizations and programs that are actively working to promote and advocate for mental health services. The Counseling Center, with the support of the Northern Iowa Student Government, is seeking nominations for the first annual Mental Health Ally Award. We encourage you to nominate individuals, programs, organizations or departments that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mental health advocacy.
Award Criteria
Awards are intended for UNI students, faculty, staff, organizations or programs that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting mental health on the UNI campus. Areas to consider include (but are not limited to):
- Individuals who promote and inspire a change in negative health stigmas and actively advocate for improvements in the mental health community on campus
- Activities that engage and educate the university community to promote responsibility in mentally positive behaviors
- Demonstration of leadership and outreach in helping those struggling with mental health issues, while promoting health practices
- Programs, initiatives, education or research that contribute to the prevention of suicide, crisis response and other counseling practices
- Initiation of improved or best practices that enhance the university’s commitment to connectedness and belonging for all of the UNI community