Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention


CAPS offers a variety of outreach presentations to the university community to aid in the emotional and psychological development of students in the university environment for the purpose of enhancing performance. Our presentations are geared towards prevention of mental illness, enhancement of academic success, improving coping and life skills, and increasing awareness and knowledge. CAPS programming is developed with the diverse KU student body in mind and aims to be relevant and inclusive. CAPS is happy to accommodate your outreach presentation request given sufficient time and staff availability.  Program request should be submitted three weeks prior to the requested presentation date. If you would like to make a presentation request please fill out the form below and the outreach coordinator will respond to your request within 48 hours. Please direct any questions to Eric Lowery, LSCSW elowery@ku.edu. This is not a request for therapy services. If you would like an individual appointment for therapy services please call CAPS at 785-864-2277.

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Campus Connect: A Suicide Prevention Training for Gatekeepers

Campus Connect is a three-hour interactive training program designed specifically for university community “gatekeepers.” Gatekeepers are campus faculty and staff who are in regular contact with students and as a result of that contact, are in position to recognize students who may be in crisis and refer them to appropriate mental health resources. Identified by the national Suicide Prevention Resource Center and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as a “best practice” for suicide prevention, in the last decade, Campus Connect has been provided on nearly 200 campuses throughout the U.S. A Campus Connect training session includes discussion of: suicide warning signs, how to talk with students who may be thinking suicide, and how to refer students to mental health services and other resources available to KU students. 

For information about upcoming trainings or to schedule a training for your department, please contact: Sandy Bush at 785-864-2277.

Fresh Check Day, the signature program of the Jordan Porco Foundation, is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that includes interactive expo booths, peer-to-peer messaging, support of multiple campus departments and groups, free food, entertainment, and exciting prizes and giveaways. Fresh Check Day aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health and helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally. For more information about Fresh Check Day visit its website.