Mercyhurst University has been awarded $494,386 through the SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant to expand student mental health resources and enhance suicide prevention education and training

Mercyhurst University has been awarded a four-year, $494,386 federal grant to expand mental health resources, strengthen suicide prevention efforts, and help students build meaningful connections to campus and community support.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through its Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program.

The grant will support MU Connects, a campus-wide Student Life initiative designed to strengthen student mental health and well-being through expanded mental health screening and education, access to teletherapy, peer-led wellness programs, and suicide and substance misuse prevention efforts.

"At Mercyhurst, our mission calls us not only to educate our students but also to care for the whole person," said Mercyhurst University President David Livingston. "This funding will help us strengthen a campus community where students feel valued, connected and supported, and where caring for one another is a shared responsibility."

MU Connects will bring together students, faculty, staff, and community partners, with particular emphasis on supporting first-year students, student-athletes, and veterans. The initiative will also expand resilience and belonging programs, mental health training, and implementation of the JED Campus Fundamentals framework.

“This grant gives us an opportunity to make mental health, connection, and well-being part of the everyday Mercyhurst experience,” said Sue Sweeney, campus health and wellbeing director and athletics health care administrator. “We want students to build meaningful connections, develop skills for navigating challenges, recognize when they or a friend may need support, and know where to turn for help. MU Connects will help us create a campus culture where students know they don't have to navigate difficult times alone.”

The grant will also strengthen partnerships with community behavioral health organizations, helping students connect with services beyond those available on campus. Faculty and staff will receive additional training to recognize potential concerns, respond appropriately, and connect students with available resources.

Led through Mercyhurst's campus health and well-being efforts, the four-year initiative is intended to create lasting improvements in prevention, early intervention, and access to care, with programs and partnerships designed to continue beyond the grant period.

This MU Connects: Building a Comprehensive Campus Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention System project was developed [in part] under the grant number 1H79SM092306-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.