Step Up
Step Up and Speak Out is a collaborative effort of Kent State University Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Services, the Office of the Vice President Student Affairs, and Police Services.
Adapted with permission from The Ohio State University
Step Up and Speak Out provides greater awareness of mental health concerns, including risk factors for suicide. This suicide prevention campaign represents a collaborative effort of Kent State University Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Services, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and Police Services and aims to support individuals in need by educating University community members on protocols and resources designed to assist in disruptive situations or with distressed individuals.
Mental health issues are an increasing concern on college campuses, with faculty and staff in the role of "first responders" to crises and other difficult situations. Step Up and Speak Out was created to assist you in making choices when responding to individuals in emotional distress, those at risk for suicide and those who may exhibit disruptive behavior. Kent State Univeristy is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our campus community, and you can be part of this effort. Helping those in need strengthens our community and is an integral part of keeping the campus safe and ensuring individuals can be linked to appropriate services and resources.
24-Hour Hotlines
Overall goals for Step Up and Speak Out include:
- Increase awareness of and ability to identify individuals at-risk for suicide or other mental health concerns among Kent State University students, faculty, and staff.
- Increase help-seeking behaviors, by reducing the stigma associated with counseling and increasing awareness of available mental health resources.
- Decrease barriers to treatment by referring individuals to an appropriate resource.
- Further cultivate a culture of caring throughout the Kent State University community.
If you have questions about the Step Up and Speak Out campaign, please contact the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at studentaffairs@kent.edu. Please note that this email address is not monitored 24-hours per day, and should not be used as a mental health resource. We provide additional resources for immediate suicide prevention support.
Download the KSUMobile app for quick access to Step Up Speak Out resources. Within the app, find Step Up Speak Out under 'Campus Utilities.'