Gatekeeper Trainings and Suicide Prevention

Suicide and suicidal behaviors are major concerns for colleges and universities. Suicide is a leading cause of death among college and university students in the United States. The most powerful strategy to help combat suicide risk in college is to create a campus culture where suicide prevention is a shared campus responsibility and all members of the campus community work together to create a culture of caring and support. We believe that through Gatekeeper trainings we can reduce the stigma of mental illness, particularly surrounding suicide and depression.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call (402) 554-2409 and after-hours, press 2. You may also call 1-800-273-8255 or text the word "START" to 741-741.

Anyone can help prevent suicide by learning the risks, warning signs, and how to intervene. The UNO suicide prevention gatekeeper training program is designed to help the UNO community prevent suicide by teaching faculty, staff, and students how to recognize signs and how to intervene in a crisis.

Flowers bloom on the Milo Bail Student Center Plaza on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

About Gatekeeper Trainings

Suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings are intended to provide general information to help reduce suicide risk through a training program specifically designed for individuals who are not trained and who are not licensed mental health professionals. The Gatekeeper Training* aims to help increase knowledge and awareness of suicide risk and inform attendees on college and community resources.

*A Gatekeeper Training is not a clinical mental health training. It does not teach suicide assessment or intervention strategies, nor is it a comprehensive training on suicide risk.

Who Can be Gatekeeper Trained?

UNO offers training to students, faculty, and staff.

How long is a Gatekeeper Training?

Gatekeeper Trainings are 90 minutes in length. The University Gatekeeper Program also offers a 60-minute condensed intervention program. We encourage all to complete the 90-minute training. But we want all students, faculty, and staff to have the skills to help someone in crisis.

Want more information about the training and UNO’s resources? The University Gatekeeper Program also offers a 15-minute informational session.

Sign up or Request a Training

More information about attending and/or scheduling a training, email suicideprevention@unomaha.edu.