University Counseling Center

STAR Suicide prevention awareness and training

TRIGGER WARNING STATEMENT: This site presents information about suicide and suicide prevention.

People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.

young man staring out a window

STAR was created in 2020 by the UCC team as a prevention and awareness program to support individuals at risk for suicide and mental health concerns. STAR addresses the role of the helper and helpee in navigating difficult conversations about mental health, specifically suicide.

Sign Up For a STAR Training

WHAT IS STAR?

STAR is a suicide prevention and mental health awareness and training initiative. STAR itself is an acronym focused on both the helper and helpee (person in need of support).  Faculty, staff, students, alumnae, and family members can all benefit from learning about STAR and how to help.

Helper

See the clues

Talk and actively listen

Ask about suicide

Refer and follow up

Helpee

See the clues

Talk and listen

Answer the question  honestly

Receive the referral

 

How To Help

two young women in a bathroom
STAR

STAR is a UToledo Counseling Center prevention initiative that addresses empowering individuals to ask for help as well as how to support someone in need of help. Sign up

seize the award image
JED Seize The Awkward

Seize the Awkward focuses on the idea that while it may feel a little difficult or awkward to speak to your friend about your concerns about them, if you accept the feeling as natural, you can move past the awkwardness and start a helpful/meaningful conversation. Learn more

NAMI - Hope Starts with you logo
NAMI of Greater Toledo

NAMI offers resources for individuals and families struggling with mental health. They offer classes, resources, and support groups. Learn more

 

STAR is a program to encourage help-seeking and the provision of help for those experiencing mental health needs. The aim is to engage, support, and respond. The University Counseling Center is promoting a Community of Care and prevention messaging. We are looking to you, our campus members, to actively partner in identifying students in need and sharing existing resources.
There are a variety of ways to get involved with promoting mental wellness and suicide prevention:
Quick resources for a mental health crisis:

Sign up for a star training

Join UCC for an interactive suicide prevention training. As a community member trained in STAR you will have self management tools and resources to better equip yourself when speaking with someone who is in mental distress. This training will uniquely address both the helper and the helpee regarding each role in suicide prevention intervention. This is Rockets Caring for Rockets.

Upcoming trainings for Fall 2023:

January 31; 11 am-1 pm; Carlson Library 2024


Sign up for a STAR Training

objectives of star

  1. Raise awareness of suicide and suicide risk amongst the college student population
  2. Train campus partners in skills to manage their own emotional needs when engaging in stressful moments
  3. Use correct language about suicide
  4. Provide on and off campus supportive resources for referral and utilization
  5. Reduce the risk for suicide within our own campus population
  6. Destigmatize help seeking

What to know

Suicide is preventable. 

  • Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior.
  • suicide attempt is a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury.
  • Suicidal ideation refers to thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.

Suicide impacts individuals of all socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, age range, ability, and geography. No one is immune to being impacted by suicide for themselves or those they know. This is a state of the human condition. Resources are available to support individuals struggling with their own mental health needs or contemplating suicide. Know what to do if you or someone you love needs help. 

 

financial and creative Contributors

Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental health (OPCSMH) (2020-2022)  $10,000 

The Ohio Wellness Campus Collaborative (2022) $35,000

Toledo NAMI Chapter

UToledo Theatre Department Professor Matt Foss Creative director and visionary

STAR Founders: Dr. La Tasha Sullivan, Amanda Jones, Dr. Cassandra Haas, Alexandria Carlson, and Valerie David

Last Updated: 1/25/24