Training, Workshops, & Outreach
Outreach, Training, Mental Health Ally Nominations
Here you will find resources provided by the Counseling Center to aid in mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Scroll down for our workshops & trainings.
To request a training or workshop for a class, organization, or group please email kaili.benham@uni.edu.
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
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
Wellness Services
Student Wellness Services offers great programing that can also support your mental wellbeing. Examples: Coping with Stress, Gratitude & Self-Compassion, Sleep Your Best, Condom Sense, Facts on TAP, Your Wheel to Wellness, and more! Check their programs out through the linked button below.
A.S.K. & V.A.R. Training - 1 hour
Want to learn skills to help support other people when they are going through a hard time? A.S.K. (Acknowledge, Support, and Keep-in-Touch) training gives you skills you can use to Validate, Appreciate, and Refer (V.A.R.) them to the appropriate resources.
Developed by Active Minds and MTV, this program is great for anyone to participate in, and can assist us in supporting the mental wellbeing of others.
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
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.
For more information go to tlc.uni.edu
Thriving Minds: Support your Mental Wellbeing - 1 hour
Five recommendations repeatedly come up in research related to supporting good mental wellbeing. Join us to learn about those five recommendations, the science behind their impact on mental health, and tips and tricks to thrive while being a college student!
Sharpen Your Focus - 30 minutes
A Practical Toolbox for Growth & Success: Having a hard time focusing? Attend one of these four workshops, or all of them, to learn helpful information and tips to improve focus. Topics include mental health, time management, goal setting, and self care.
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
Time is a precious commodity while in college and it only makes sense to learn to use what you do have to the fullest. Explore common time mismanagement and learn key skills and specific tools to take charge of your time and make the most of it.
For more information go to tlc.uni.edu
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.
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 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