Mental health issues are an increasing concern on college campuses across the country, with faculty and staff often a resource for students to turn to in difficult situations. In 2013, Step Up & Speak Out was created to assist university community members in understanding the resources available to assist distressed or disruptive individuals.
To ensure convenient access, and provide the most up-to-date information, Step Up & Speak Out was recently integrated into the KSUMobile app. As a result, the stand-alone Step Up & Speak Out app has been discontinued.
Download the KSUMobile app in the App Store or on Google Play. Within KSU Mobile, Step Up & Speak Out can be found under the Campus Utilities.
Via the app, campuses have a response quide specific to each location. The response guide will assist with recognizing behavioral signs and symptoms ranging from minimal risk to urgent situations requiring immediate assistance. Additionally, all Kent State students have access to a crisis text line and a 24-hour support and crisis call line to provide evening and weekend triage service and referrals.
The goals of the Step Up & Speak Out include:
- Increase awareness of and ability to identify individuals at risk for suicide or other mental health concerns among Kent State University students, faculty and staff.
- Increase help-seeking behaviors, by reducing the stigma associated with counseling and increasing awareness of available mental health resources.
- Decrease barriers to treatment by referring individuals to an appropriate resource.
- Further cultivate a culture of caring throughout the Kent State University community.
Step Up and Speak Out is a collaborative effort of Counseling and Psychological Services, CARES Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, and Police Services. For additional information, visit the Step Up & Speak Out website or email CARES Center at carescenter@kent.edu.