Mental Health Training and Support

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About Mental Health Training and Support

Wright State University is committed to fostering a campus environment that promotes mental health, well-being, safety, and early connection to support for students, faculty, and staff.

As part of this commitment, Wright State provides annual mental health training for employees and maintains a Mental Health Champions Program across campus. These efforts are designed to strengthen mental health awareness, support early identification of concerns and help employees connect students and colleagues with appropriate resources.

These trainings are not intended to prepare employees to provide clinical services, but to help them recognize concerns, respond with care and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

Why This Matters

Mental health and well-being are essential to student success, employee engagement, campus safety and Wright State’s mission as a public university. Faculty and staff are often among the first to notice when a student or colleague may be struggling.

Wright State’s mental health training protocol supports the university’s broader commitment to well-being, suicide prevention and early intervention, including its participation in the JED Campus initiative. Training employees to recognize concerns, respond with care and connect individuals to appropriate support strengthens a campus-wide culture of prevention and shared responsibility.

Training

Required Annual Mental Health Training

All faculty and staff are required to complete the approved SOS for Higher Ed training each year as part of the university’s annual compliance expectations. New employees must complete the training within their first 30 days of employment.

SOS for Higher Ed training provides foundational mental health and suicide prevention awareness for all employees. It is an online, self-paced training designed to help employees recognize signs of suicide risk, have caring conversations and connect individuals with appropriate support.

View instructions for completing SOS for Higher Ed training.

Additional Mental Health Training

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based certification course that provides more in-depth tools for recognizing and responding to mental health and substance use challenges. The certification is valid for three years.

Mental Health First Aid is required for employees in designated positions and for Mental Health Champions. Other employees may complete Mental Health First Aid as space and availability allow.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid training and available sessions.

Mental Health Champions Program

Mental Health Champions are designated faculty and staff members who serve as points of connection for mental health awareness, prevention and referral within their areas.

Champions do not provide clinical services. They support a culture of care by promoting mental health initiatives, helping connect individuals with appropriate resources and reinforcing prevention and early referral practices across campus.

Mental Health Champions are required to complete both the annual SOS for Higher Ed training and Mental Health First Aid certification and must have supervisor support to participate in the program. For more information about the Mental Health Champions Program, email mhfa@wright.edu.

Resources and Support

Mental health training is one part of Wright State’s broader network of support. Employees are encouraged to use the resources below when they need support or are helping connect a student or colleague to appropriate assistance.

Wright State Cares: Submit a CARE Report when a student or employee may need additional support or when you are unsure how to help. If there is a possible imminent risk of harm to self or others, contact Wright State Police at 937-775-2111 or 911 before submitting a CARE Report.

For students: Counseling and Wellness Services provides mental health services and support for Wright State students. They are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 937-775-3407 or 053 Student Union. Additionally, Raider Cares is a 24-hour crisis phone line available at 937-775-4567.

For employees: Wright State’s Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for faculty and staff. They can be reached 24/7 at 800-451-1834.

For urgent mental health support: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency or immediate safety situation, call Wright State Police at 937-775-2111 or 911.

Questions

For questions about mental health training requirements, Mental Health First Aid or the Mental Health Champions Program, contact mhfa@wright.edu.