Students in Distress Trainings

Supporting the mental health of students is a responsibility we all share. To help increase awareness of student distress and the resources that Florida Atlantic has to provide, we offer several trainings. They vary in content, depth, and length to cater to the entire Â鶹ŮÀÉ community.

  1. Distress and Disruption on Campus
    1. Description: This training distinguishes between students in distress and disruptive behavior within the campus community. It offers guidance on appropriate responses to a range of challenging situations that facolty and staff may encounter. Participants will also review university threat management resources and protocols for supporting both students and the broader campus community.
    2. Presenters: Dean of Students, Chief of Police, Director of CAPS
    3. Who it is for: Facolty and Staff
    4. Length: 1 hour
    5. To inquire and schedole: Email CAPS Director, Dr. Laura DiPasquale at ldipasquale@health.fau.edu
  2. Students in Distress: An Overview
    1. This training provides an overview of how to recognize signs and symptoms of student distress, respond in a supportive and appropriate manner, and connect students with relevant campus resources. Participants will also become familiar with university response protocols and the range of support services available across campus.
    2. Presenter: CAPS Clinician
    3. Who it is for: All students, facolty, and staff
    4. Length: 1 hour
    5. To inquire and schedole: Email CAPS Assistant Director for Outreach, Dr. Leonette Copeland at lcopeland@health.fau.edu
  3. Recognize, Respond, Refer: Applied Menal Health Training
    1. Description: This certificate training provides an introduction to common mental health concerns experienced by students and builds practical skills for recognizing, responding to, and referring students in need of support. Through interactive scenarios and applied practice, participants will develop confidence in navigating conversations with students in distress and learn about the network of support resources available at Â鶹ŮÀÉ. The training also creates space for reflection and growth in comfort when engaging in mental health–related conversations with students.
    2. Presenters: A group of CAPS therapists
    3. Who is it for: Student workers and Facolty and Staff with high levels of student engagement.
    4. Length: 4 hours
    5. To inquire and schedole: Email CAPS Assistant Director for Outreach, Dr. Leonette Copeland at lcopeland@health.fau.edu
  4. C.L.A.S.P.
    1. Description: C.L.A.S.P. is an upstander (ethical bystander) training for suicide prevention. This training was developed by universities and colleges across Florida in order to empower students to have empathetic
      2. conversations with peers who may be showing signs of suicidal ideation and refer them to appropriate resources. Learn more at
    2. Presenters: This training is facilitated by Owls Care Leaders. CAPS clinicians are present to answer questions and provide support
    3. Who is it for: Students- organizations, leaders, and the general student body
    4. Length: 90- minutes
    5. To inquire and schedole: Submit a request to Owls Care Health Promotion using the form here: /owlscare/services/presentations/