Be a Suspenders4Hope Mental Health Advocate
Penn State Altoona faculty and staff, please complete these steps to receive a certificate and recognition as a mental health advocate on campus.
- Utilize #WeSupportU Mental Wellness in the Classroom Cards (See below).
- Complete the free #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training and encourage students to complete it too.
- Click "Take the Training" then "Click Here to Register" under Suspenders4Hope Partners. Create an account with your Penn State email address. Click the training option "PSA."
- Be visible, vocal, and vulnerable by sharing your story.
- Check in with students and encourage them to check on one another.
- Wear your Suspenders4Hope shirt—free to students when you present your certificate at the Center for Student and Civic Engagement. Stay tuned for information on how faculty and staff can purchase their shirts through our Student Government Association.
- Download the #WeSupportU Suspender4Hope Mental Health advocate badge and add it to your email signature and professional profile.
- If a student is in distress, refer them to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Tips for Leaders to Promote Mental Wellness in the Workplace
- Utilize #WeSupportU Mental Wellness in the Workplace Cards (Adobe PDF) during trainings, team building, and staff meetings.
- Schedule and sponsor Suspenders4Hope days within your area where all members wear their Suspenders4Hope shirts in support of mental wellness.
- Share wellness content and use the #WeSupportU to share your own messages of hope on your professional pages.
- Encourage participation in the Suicide Prevention Trainings and set a goal for the number of members trained, number of events, number of mental wellness related posts, etc.
- Identify and assign champions and/or ambassadors for the cause that care about mental health to spread the importance of mental wellness.
- Check in on teammates and support members that are struggling by referring them to office and community resources.
- Be vulnerable. It’s important for individuals in leadership positions to normalize mental health.
- Ensure everyone in your area is aware of office and community resources. Look for the crisis and non-crisis resources sheet.