SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Grant

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

In 2022, Molloy University was awarded a three-year, $306,000 grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the second time since 2016. The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Campus Suicide Prevention Grant (GLS) became law and initiated administration via SAMHSA in 2003. As stated by SAMHSA, the purpose of GLS is to:

  1. Enhance mental health services for all college students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness (SMI)/serious emotional disturbances (SED), and/or substance use disorders that can lead to school failure.
  2. Prevent and reduce suicide, and mental and substance use disorders.
  3. Promote help-seeking behavior.
  4. Improve the identification and treatment of at-risk college students so they can successfully complete their studies.
  5. Increase protective factors that promote mental health, reduce risk factors for suicide, and ultimately reduce suicides and suicide attempts.

Since 2016, the Molloy University Student Personal Counseling Center (SPCC) has initiated several successful programs under the GLS grant:

  • The #HearIAM campaign is a program designed to promote suicide and depression awareness and prevention within the Molloy Community. #HearIAM aims to dispel preconceived notions about suicide risk and treatment. Asking for help is not a sign of personal weakness and no one should be ashamed of their mental health burdens. #HearIAM held trainings, workshops, and creative outlets for Molloy's students to increase peer support and help-seeking behaviors. Campus personnel with essential gatekeeping and student-facing roles were trained on assorted topics including suicide prevention training and mental health awareness. According to Molloy's Director of the Student Personal Counseling Center, Talita Ferrara, "The #HearIAM campaign has allowed Molloy students and personnel to become aware of the services offered by the Student Personal Counseling Center (SPCC). Our programs, events, and trainings helped the Molloy community recognize the importance of promoting positive awareness and begin to end mental health stigma. #HearIAM emphasizes that you are not alone, started valuable conversations, and increased student connection to on-and-off campus counseling services." As result of this campaign, the number of students seeking campus counseling nearly doubled.
  • "FreshCheck" is an annual event that creates an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health, and helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally. Resources showcased national suicide prevention initiatives like Nine Out of Ten and more personal engagement like "YOUnique," where students could let go of their own insecurities. Check out photos from this year: FreshCheck.
  • Molloy University’s Crisis Response Protocol was developed as a basic framework to enhance coordinated efforts that protect the safety and well-being of the student in crisis. The guidelines are intended to assist faculty, professional staff, administrators, and other Molloy University employees with addressing student-related crises.
  • Weekly THRIVE workshops are held on Thursdays at 3:30PM in PS 050 to support students as they “strive to thrive” during each semester. THRIVE is designed to help students succeed, manage stress, and develop coping skills.
  • Daily walk-in hours are held from 12:30PM to 1:30PM at the Student Personal Counseling Center to support students in need of in-the-moment support or;
  • Students can request an appointment online, call, or visit the SPCC to speak with a counselor at their convenience.

These efforts have increased students' willingness to ask for mental health counseling, improved facility response to signs of suicide risk, and enriched campus awareness of stigmatized issues.

The three Project Coordinators assigned to this grant since 2016 actively work for Molloy University and are committed to the sustainability of the grant’s goals; increasing protective factors that promote mental health, reducing risk factors for suicide, and reducing suicides and suicide attempts. Current and past Project Coordinators of this grant provide clinical counseling, engage in psychoeducation programming, contribute to policy making, and collaborate with campus task committees for improving mental health and wellness for all students.

GLS Project Coordinators:

  • Talita Ferrara, Ed.D., LMHC (2016-2017)
  • Dayna Russo, MS, LMHC (2018 – 2019)
  • Theresa N. Eaves, MS, MHC-LP (2022 – 2025)

GLS Administrative Assistant:

  • Terri Hanley