Throughout the week, we invite you to connect with yourself and one another. Be sure to check out Fresh Check Day tomorrow, September 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Campus Center Breezeway. Plus, stop by any table this week to learn more about National Suicide Prevention week, ways to get involved and stay connected.

Mental Health Support at RIT

College can be stressful, and at times overwhelming. Counseling and Psychological Services is here to support your mental health needs during your time at RIT. The Counseling and Psychological Services office is located on the second floor of the August Center, just off the Quarter Mile. Additionally, there are various CaPS Embedded Locations across campus and counselors that communicate in sign language.

If you or a friend is struggling, reach out.

On-campus Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services offers short-term, goal-focused individual therapy, group therapy, crisis support, and psychiatric services in an open, safe, and confidential environment.

• To schedule an appointment, contact the office at 585-475-2261 or send a secure message on the RIT Wellness Portal and select “Counseling Services – for General Questions.”
  
  
• If you are in need of support after business hours, you can call the 24-hour mental health line at 1-855-436-1245, or contact Public Safety by calling 585-475-3333 or texting 585-205-8333.
  
  
• NTID counselors/academic advisors provide personal, social, career and academic counseling services to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT. NTID counselors are located on campus in Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) 1277. To get connected, fill out a contact form at rit.edu/ntid/caas.

Community Emergency Resources

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Text HOME to 741741
• Lifeline/Mobile Crisis: call 211
• Emergency: 911

Community Mental Health Resources

• Mental Health Association
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Mental Health First Aid at RIT

RIT Wellness is excited to offer all students, faculty, and staff members of the RIT community the opportunity to participate in Mental Health First Aid training sessions this fall.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course, in which you will:

• Learn how to describe and talk about mental health, openly and non-judgmentally
• Learn how to approach, reassure, and support a fellow RIT community member when they may be struggling with their mental health
• Explore what self-care looks like for you with practical applications of self-care

To participate in a Mental Health First Aid training session, you can either request a session for your group or register for a scheduled session. If you have any questions, please contact Beau Gibbs at bmghcw@rit.edu.

Connection is Prevention

You may remember the buddy system as a way for teachers to make sure no one wandered off during a school field trip, but even as adults the buddy system is still helpful!

Research has shown time and time again the importance of having people we love and trust in our lives. Surrounding ourselves with our friends and loved ones has been shown to not only improve our mental health, but help buffer against depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.

Though this week is National Suicide Prevention Week, you should always do your best to check in with both yourself and your friends to make sure you are all doing okay. Even reach out to a fellow classmate you may not know well if they seem like they are struggling. Knowing that someone out there cares to ask what is wrong can make a world of difference to someone.

While the buddy system was initially used to make sure you didn’t get lost on a field trip, it is still helpful to make sure you don’t get lost on your journey through life.

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.