Today's Update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

September 24, 2025

Dear Student Life team,

I hope you felt the energy all over campus a couple of weeks ago for the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day. I had the opportunity to spend some time as a volunteer parking lot greeter outside the ‘Shoe. I handed out plenty of swag and let students know they are not alone and that mental health support resources exist.   

From bus signs to stickers to clings in parking garages and uplifting messages placed in the Dining Rovers, it was an excellent representation of the campus culture of care we are advancing at Ohio State. 

It is, obviously, not just a one-day effort. Student Life’s Suicide Prevention Program is working year-round to make sure all of us know how we can play a role in preventing suicide. 

One of their top strategies is a program called REACH, a gatekeeper training program designed to help the Ohio State community prevent suicide by teaching how to:   

Recognize warning signs
Engage with empathy
Ask directly about suicide
Communicate hope
Help suicidal individuals access care and treatment 

If you haven’t gone through REACH, there is an excellent opportunity coming up on Tuesday, October 7. We’re looking to set a record at Ohio State for the most students, staff and faculty trained in one day. Cosponsored by the Suicide Prevention Program and the Multicultural Greek Council, this one-day effort will push our campus culture of care forward and create more advocates for suicide prevention than ever.  

I know many of you have gone through this extremely valuable educational program. Now may be the time for you to take the next step.  

Beginning next month, the Suicide Prevention Program rolls out REACH 2.0. Designed for those who already have REACH certification, it is an interactive, in-person module, designed to refresh your skills and deepen your suicide prevention knowledge.  

You’ll need to pre-register for REACH or REACH 2.0 training, and I hope you will. It’s a Scarlet and Great way to take action that can save a life.  

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD          
Senior Vice President for Student Life          
The Ohio State University