September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, strengthen connection and remind one another that support is available.
Throughout September, The Whole U is joining the UW community in recognizing Suicide Prevention Month by hosting opportunities to connect and care for our well-being while highlighting suicide prevention education, support and resources available across UW.
Join us for Walk for Hope events across our campuses and complimentary massage pop-ups, explore educational opportunities from UW’s Forefront Suicide Prevention, and connect with year-round mental health and well-being resources available through UW and our community partners.
Whether you want to learn how to better support someone who may be struggling, walk in honor of someone impacted by suicide, take time to care for your own well-being or simply learn more about the resources available to you, we invite you to explore the opportunities and resources available this September.
Walk together for hope
In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, The Whole U invites the UW community to come together for Walk for Hope: Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walks across our campuses.
These walks offer an opportunity to take a meaningful pause, connect with colleagues and fellow Huskies, and walk in support of those who have been impacted by suicide and mental health challenges.
Seattle campus
Thursday, September 10 | Noon–12:45 p.m.
Register for the Seattle walk
UW Tacoma
Thursday, September 10 | Noon–12:45 p.m.
Register for the Tacoma walk
UW Bothell
Wednesday, September 16 | Noon–12:45 p.m.
Register for the Bothell walk
Participants will gather for a brief welcome before setting out on an approximately 30-minute walk at a comfortable pace. Join colleagues across the University as we walk together for connection, compassion and hope.
Learn with Forefront Suicide Prevention
Knowing how to talk about mental health and suicide, and what to do when someone may be struggling, can make a difference.
This September, Forefront Suicide Prevention, a Center of Excellence at the University of Washington, is offering virtual learning opportunities focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. We encourage members of the UW community to explore these trainings and build their knowledge and confidence in supporting themselves and others.
Mental Health Awareness Training
Thursday, September 10 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual
Build a stronger understanding of mental health, wellness and suicide prevention during this virtual training from Forefront Suicide Prevention. Participants will explore mental health and mental health conditions, basic neuroscience and emotion regulation, risk and protective factors, suicide prevention, lethal means safety and resources for continued support.
The session will also offer practical steps you can take to promote emotional well-being for yourself and others.
Forefront Suicide Prevention LEARN® Training
Tuesday, September 15 | Noon–1 p.m. | Virtual
It can be difficult to know what to do when a friend, loved one or colleague may be considering suicide. Developed by Forefront Suicide Prevention, the LEARN® model provides a practical five-step process to help participants recognize warning signs, talk with someone they are worried about and take early steps to help keep them safe.
During this one-hour webinar, participants will learn about suicide as a public health issue, practice applying the LEARN steps and build greater confidence supporting someone who may be at risk.
Talking to Machines About Depression
Tuesday, September 29 | Noon–1 p.m. | Virtual
Millions of people are turning to chatbots in their hardest moments before they turn to a person. In this timely session, Thomas F. Heston, MD, MSc, will explore what research and clinical insight reveal about how AI tools respond when conversations turn serious — where they can help, where they stall, and where they fail in ways users may not see.
Attendees will learn how publicly available mental health chatbots respond as suicide risk escalates, where escalation to a human tends to break down, and why general-purpose large language models have important reliability limits in clinical contexts. The session will also highlight strategies for adapting to future AI development in mental health care.
Take time to recharge: Complimentary 10 minute chair massage across UW
Caring for our mental health and well-being can also mean making intentional space to pause and recharge.
Throughout September, The Whole U is partnering with dreamclinic to bring complimentary 10 minute onsite chair massage appointments to UW employees across our campuses and medical centers. Schedule your complimentary chair massage.
Booking link will be updated by August 26 to secure your spot.
Seattle campus
September 10 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Husky Union Building, Room 214
UW Medical Center – Montlake
September 15 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Sciences Lobby
UW Medical Center – Northwest – Coming soon!
UW Bothell
September 16 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DISC 352F, Discovery Hall
UW Tacoma
September 29 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Columbia Bank Lobb
Availability is limited, and employees should limit bookings to one session per day of service.
Find support through UW WorkLife and the WA EAP
Support is available throughout the year, not just during Suicide Prevention Month.
Through UW WorkLife, PEBB-eligible UW employees and their household members have access to the Washington State Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP), offering free and confidential resources to help navigate personal and professional challenges.
WA EAP offers short-term, solutions-focused counseling and can provide support for concerns including stress, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, trauma, workplace challenges and interpersonal conflicts. Employees can also access additional work-life resources and support.
Explore UW WorkLife and Employee Assistance Program resources.
More ways to support mental health and well-being
Suicide prevention is a shared effort, and there are many ways to continue learning, support organizations doing this important work and care for your own well-being.
Get involved through the UW Combined Fund Drive: The UW Combined Fund Drive (UWCFD) connects the UW community with nonprofit organizations addressing important issues in our communities, including mental health and suicide prevention. Learn more about organizations doing this work, ways to support their efforts and opportunities to get involved.
Explore UW Medicine well-being resources: UW Medicine employees can find additional programs, tools and resources to support their mental, emotional and overall well-being.
If you or someone you know needs support now: If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, thinking about suicide or needs immediate support, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with crisis support.
UW employees and their household members who are eligible for WA EAP can also access 24/7 in-the-moment crisis counseling and referrals through the Employee Assistance Program.
If there is an immediate threat to someone’s life or safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Connection can make a difference
Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating a community where people feel seen, supported and connected.
You don’t need to have all the answers to make a difference. Learning how to recognize when someone may be struggling, knowing where to find support, checking in with the people around you and making space to care for your own well-being are meaningful steps we can all take.
This September, we invite you to learn, walk, connect and care for yourself and one another as we work together to build a UW community rooted in connection, compassion and hope.
Thank you to BECU, Decathlon, Husky Mobile and TIAA for sponsoring The Whole U and making these events possible.