Iowa is building a culture of peer support. In the spirit of see-something-say-something, you can help by preparing to ask "Are you okay?" when you spot a student or colleague showing signs of struggle.
Peer support can head off a crisis. Iowa offers trainings and resources to help you feel more comfortable and confident when someone you know may need help. Some of the free or fee-based opportunities described here require an hour or less. Other, more-intensive options let you build on your knowledge and skills.
R U OK?
The University of Iowa has adapted a peer support program called R U OK? for campus use.
Distress Response Guide
The Office of the Dean of Students and partners offer a resource guide for responding to distress that can help faculty, staff, and students assist others in need.
Togetherall
Coming soon from the Division of Student Life, Togetherall provides a peer-to-peer mental health support community available online, 24/7, and completely anonymous.
Kognito
Time required: 45 minutes
Cost: None
For: Undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, postdocs, faculty and staff
Self-guided online, interactive role-play simulation program that builds awareness, knowledge and skills about mental health and suicide prevention.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Time required: 1 hour
Cost: Covered by Employee Assistance Program
For: Faculty and staff
Suicide-prevention training designed to help people recognize warning signs, get comfortable asking the question "Are you thinking about suicide?" and pointing others to help.
UI Health Care COPE Team
Time required: 1-3 hours
Cost: None
For: UI Health Care employees
Training colleagues to offer one-on-one emotional support for co-workers after challenging events by understanding common stress responses, needs of stressed workers, and resources for follow-up care.
Working with Students in Distress
Time required: 75 minutes
Cost: None
For: Faculty and staff
Workshop from the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health on language and practical skills to help help students showing signs of distress.
safeTALK
Time required: 4 hours
Cost: None
For: Faculty and staff
Provided through the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health to identify suicide risk and to help people thinking about suicide.
Mental Health First Aid
Time required: 8 hours
Cost: Inquire
For: Faculty and staff, postdocs, undergraduate students, graduate and professional students
Mental health and substance abuse training and targeted to campus or settings.
Working with Students in Distress Master Class
Time required: 8 hours
Cost: None
For: Faculty and staff
Advanced training from the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health.
ASIST Training
Time required: 16 hours
Cost: Inquire
For: Faculty and staff
Two-day, in-person workshop from the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health with discussions and simulations on recognizing suicide risk and developing a safety plan.