25,000+ REACH© Gatekeepers Trained
Suicide prevention is a shared campus responsibility. Join the REACH© movement!
Save a life!
Anyone can help prevent suicide by learning the risks, warning signs, and how to intervene. REACH© is the name of the OSU suicide prevention in-person gatekeeper training program designed to help the OSU community prevent suicide by teaching faculty, staff, and students how to:
Recognize warning signs
Engage with empathy
Ask directly about suicide
Communicate hope
Help suicidal individuals access care and treatment
OSUSPP only offers in-person REACH© Trainings to university and student affiliated organizations, departments, colleges, and programs. Participants who finish the training receive certificates and pins verifying their completion of the program.
About REACH©
REACH© suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings are intended to provide general information about how to identify suicide risk and how to respond to any OSU student, staff, or faculty member who may be experiencing distress. REACH© is not a clinical mental health training; it does not teach suicide assessment or intervention strategies, nor is it a comprehensive training on suicide risk. Rather, it is designed to empower anyone to learn these skills, and especially individuals who are not licensed mental health professionals. The 90-minute training experience aims to increase knowledge and awareness of suicide risk and to inform attendees of our campus community resources. REACH© is aligned with national standards, best practices, and recommendations for suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings. As such, the training contains suicide statistics, stories surrounding suicide, and interactive role plays to help attendees better understand and engage with the material.
Important Note: While we believe in the effectiveness of anyone attending a REACH© Training, we also recognize that it contains complex and sensitive material. As a result, it is possible that participants could experience a variety of mental and emotional reactions. This should be taken into consideration before attending a training. As a general best practice for the well-being of our Buckeye community, OSUSPP does not recommend that students, staff, or faculty mandate REACH© Training attendance.
What is the Difference between a REACH© Training and a ReachOut© Session?
REACH© is an in-person suicide prevention gatekeeper training intended to provide general information about how to identify suicide risk and how to respond to any OSU student, staff, or faculty member who may be experiencing distress. REACH© is a 90- minute, certifiable training experience, that includes important information about suicide, interactive dialogue, and role play.
ReachOut©: An Education & Advocacy Session for Suicide Prevention is a virtual synchronous learning experience delivered through Zoom intended to provide basic information about how to prevent suicide to OSU staff, faculty, and students. During this 60-75-minute information session, attendees will learn about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors, as well as how to break down the stigma of help-seeking. This session is not a skills-based training and as such, does not offer a certification.
