University of Arkansas at Little Rock Launches Faculty Training To Support Student Mental Health and Well-being

UA Little Rock will further its commitment to faculty and student success by offering a training program to empower employees to support student mental health and well-being on March 4 and 5.

“Most mental health issues first emerge between the ages of 14 and 24, making early detection and treatment critical for achieving the best outcomes,” said Dr. Aresh Assadi, director of counseling services at UA Little Rock. “Faculty are on the front lines, with far more exposure to students than campus counselors, allowing them to notice concerns much faster. Training them to recognize and refer students ensures we can connect those in need to support more effectively.”

GUIDE (Guiding Universities in Demonstrating Empathy) is empathic communications training that empowers educators to conduct effective student support conversations and to identify and engage the appropriate college services when needed.

Faculty and staff participating in the free one-time, three-hour training will:

• Learn how to identify and contextualize student needs.
• Test, explore, and refine empathic communication skills.
• Learn how to integrate GUIDE into their classes and work with students.

GUIDE was developed by Prevention Strategies, a UNC Greensboro affiliate, and supported at UA Little Rock by the Division of Student Affairs, Wellness and Inclusion, MidSOUTH, and ATLE.

If you are interested in GUIDE training, please visit this link to register. Training will be offered from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. each day.

For more information, please contact Student Affairs Assistant Vice Chancellor Sharon Ann Downs at [email protected].