Supporting Students Certification Summit
The Department of Wellness—in collaboration with University Counseling Services, the Office of Student Support and the Center for Family Resilience— has developed a certification summit aimed to provide faculty and staff with the tools and training to aid and support students through a variety of potential mental health concerns or crisis situations.
More Information
This certificate program is open to all OSU students, faculty and staff (exempt and non-exempt). Participants must attend the full in-person summit in order to receive the certificate. Before and after attending all sessions, participants will complete a pre- and post-assessment to track learning. Participants will receive, via email, a required one-hour pre-requisite training video to complete before attending the summit. Upon completing the final evaluation piece, participants will receive a certification from the developing departments.
This program will take place in person from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 2 with a free lunch provided for participants. Registration is required.
One cohort will be offered during the fall 2026 semester. See details below on how to register.
How to Register
Registration for the Fall 2026 Semester is now open for everyone and closes Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. Register here.
Core Sessions
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ACE's PACEs and NEAR Science
ACE: Adverse Childhood Experience
PACE: Protective and Compensatory Experiences
NEAR: Neurobiology, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood ExperiencesLearning Outcomes:
- Participants will understand the key concepts of the nervous system, including brain development, and how it interrelates with experiences, both positive and negative, and how people adapt.
- Participants will learn how individual and collective trauma can be passed down from generation to generation.
- Participants will understand key components of the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and how to utilize the data to support communities.
- Participants will become familiar with core protective systems and the importance of communities and support.
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Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be familiar with and be able to recognize common signs of distress.
- Participants will learn about resources available to students that can help alleviate distress.
- Participants should by the end of training be knowledgeable about how and when to make a referral for mental health services.
- Participants will learn about strategies for engaging with a student in distress.
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Responding to Students in Need: Ways to Support and When to Report
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify appropriate and effective responses to students experiencing distress.
- Participants will be able to assess the immediacy of student concerns and refer appropriately.
- Participants will be able to identify when to file a report and what to include in that report to ensure proper assessment and service.
Elective Courses
Elective sessions are also offered as part of the program, necessity and logistics of the electives during the summit are still being discussed. All sessions will take place concurrently.
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Supporting Survivors and Students with Trauma
This session will provide participants with practical strategies for supporting students who have experienced trauma, including interpersonal violence, loss, crisis and other adverse experiences. Attendees will learn how trauma can impact student wellbeing, behavior and academic success while exploring ways to respond with empathy, compassion and appropriate referral support.
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Supporting Students in the Classroom and Academic Settings
Faculty and staff are often among the first to notice when a student is struggling. This session will cover practical ways to support students in academic settings, connect them to resources and foster student success. Participants will also gain an overview of Student Accessibility Services, including accommodations, accessibility supports and strategies that empower students to advocate for their needs.
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Student Leader Support Panel
Hear directly from student leaders as they share their experiences navigating campus life, seeking support, building connections and overcoming challenges. This interactive panel offers an opportunity to gain valuable student perspectives and learn how faculty, staff and student peers can create more supportive and inclusive environments that foster student success.
Lunch and Browse Session
During lunch participants will have the opportunity to hear from President Hess and the First Cowgirl regarding mental health intiatives on campus. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with campus and community partners through this session.