By Tasia Williams, (Digital Content Assistant, Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)
An effort of the UAB Cares Suicide Prevention Initiative, the UAB Cares Mental Health Advocate Badge Program strives to increase awareness of mental health year-round. This highlights UAB’s commitment to being a health-promoting university. The first-of-its-kind program “promote[s] a culture that encourages us all to take care of ourselves and each other,” said UAB Cares Leadership and Implementation Team Chair Angela Stowe, Ph.D. The program is available to all UAB staff, faculty, trainees, and students.
There are three levels, which are differentiated by trainings required: level 1, level 2, and Mental Health Fellow. Individuals who complete the program are awarded badges based on the level of training completed. The badges are designed to be added to email signatures to promote the visibility of mental health advocacy at UAB.
“We wanted to give everyone the tools and resources that are available and bring everyone together to help,” said UAB Medicine Director of Wellness and Administration Nisha Patel. As the levels of training progress, participants learn more about mental health resources at UAB.
Level 1- Kognito At-Risk for Students
- QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
- Exploration of UABwell App (student profile)
- Video overview of UAB Wellness Resources
- Explore Togetherall 24-7 chat support platform
- Complete TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) modules
- Complete Mental Health First Aid training
With such great mental health resources, this program has a potentially lifesaving impact. For more information on training for faculty and staff, click here. For more information for students, click here.