Project Courage

Encouraging the Mental Health and Well-Being of Students in an Academically Competitive Environment

At the National Level

UCI Receives Suicide Prevention Grant as part of Nationwide Effort

The University of California, Irvine, is one of 22 institutions of higher education awarded a national suicide prevention grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Part of a national suicide prevention effort targeting youth, the Campus Suicide Prevention Grants support college campuses and institutions of higher education in enhancing their services to students with mental and behavioral health problems.

Responding to the alarming statistic that nearly 900,000 youth planned to commit suicide in 2004, with another 712,000 actually attempting suicide, SAMHSA has launched a national, three-year initiative to raise awareness of, and to prevent suicide among young people. Under the authorization of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, a total of $9.7 million was awarded to three key entities, including the Campus Suicide Prevention Grants, awarded to the Prevention Resource Center, a national resource center for suicide prevention; and the State-Sponsored Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Programs and UCI.

What is Project Courage?

Recognizing the inherent challenges for students in an academically competitive environment and responding to increasing student requests for assistance with stress and depression-related concerns, Project Courage seeks to raise awareness of, and to prevent suicide on the UCI campus. 

While existing counseling and health services are available to UCI students, Project Courage aims to broaden services and the safety net, particularly among campus personnel who may have initial, or direct contact with students. To develop this safety net, Project Courage has adopted a comprehensive set of objectives designed to meet the mental health needs and concerns of UCI students. Among the objectives are:

Cultivating a Climate of Prevention

Promote a campus climate that honors student achievement and competition, while encouraging distressed students to seek help and support, when it is needed, and without the stigma attached to seeking care.

Expanding the Campus Safety Net

Broaden the campus network to include the active participation of faculty and staff, equipping them with the fundamental training and information necessary to identify students at risk and the knowledge to make timely and appropriate referrals.

Promoting Existing Screening and Intervention Services

Augment awareness and accessibility of existing services, with special attention given to integrating information into current training programs, such as those that exist for Residence Hall Assistants, Peer Advisors Academic Advisors, and Faculty Orientation.

Developing a Campuswide Social Marketing Campaign

Employ a professional marketing agency to promote Project Courage among key student networks, by launching an organized public relations campaign – Don’t Erase Your Future - that highlights warning signs, risk factors, and appropriate actions in the prevention of suicide. (www.donteraseyourfuture.org)

Encouraging Parent Awareness and Participation

Cultivate and enlist the participation of parents early in their student’s academic career, alerting them to potential mental and behavioral health issues, encouraging them to become familiar with the mental health concerns of their students and the resources available to them. http://www.vcsa.uci.edu/parents/

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UCI Mental Health Resources for Students, Parents, Faculty, Staff

UCI Counseling Center
– Primary counseling and mental health service
Personal Consultation
Crisis Intervention
Workshops and Academic Courses
Staffed by professional psychologists
949-824-6457
www.counseling.uci.edu

UCI Student Health Center
– On-campus health center
Outpatient Clinics – including Psychiatry
Urgent Care
Specialty Clinics
Staffed by certified, licensed, and medical professionals
949-8245301
www.shs.uci.edu

Health Education Center
– Educational center dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle choices
Health Education Instruction
Individual Consultation
Printed and Internet Information
Staffed by professional health educators and trained peer advisors
949-824-9355
www.health.uci.edu