As part of USG and KSU's Mental Health Initiative, we are proud to be able to offer Mental Health Training and Recovery Support Training to students, faculty, and staff. A top priority of the initiative is to equip the entire campus with the awareness, knowledge, and skill needed to provide a community of support that facilitates optimal performance of students, faculty, and staff.
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT A STUDENT OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW?
College can be stressful at times. Build the confidence to talk with a student who you’re concerned about.
Individual department and group training available. If interested, please reach out
to Health Promotion and Wellness, wellctr@kennesaw.edu.
Mental Health & Recovery Support Training Options at Kennesaw State
988 Training
988 is a direct, national three-digit line that connects individuals with suicide
prevention and mental health crisis resources. This 30-minute training provides an
overview of 988, addresses common myths about crisis support lines, and equips attendees
to support someone in need.
Instructor-led, 60 minutes. QPR is designed to help you recognize someone who may be considering suicide and consist of three life-saving skills.
QUESTION...the person about suicide. PERSUADE...the person to get help and, REFER...the person to the appropriate resource.
Three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people
trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people
trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how
to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Take the first step in saving lives
by signing up for innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training utilized
around the world.
Monday, February 9, 2026 (In-person, 11 am-12 pm)
Thursday, February 26, 2026 (In-person, 4 pm-5 pm)
The University System of Georgia is offering virtual training free to USG staff. Multiple dates and times are available on their website. Once on the site, click Agree and Begin Registration at the bottom of the page. Next, click on the type of training to see the available dates.
Pre-work plus instructor-led, in-person or virtual, full day. MHFA is a skills-based training course that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorder. People trained in MHFA learn to identify the risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, strategies to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis, and how to reach out and offer resources of where to turn for help. Topics covered include depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorder.
The MHFA course consists of 2-hours of self-paced content followed by 6.5 hours of instructor-led training. The self-paced content must be completed prior to the in-person led training day. The in-person content will be held on the Kennesaw Campus in the Academic Learning Center. We ask that you block off your calendar for the day with the intent of wrapping up by 4:30pm. We will break for an hour at lunch, on your own.
What it Covers?
Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges. Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges How to interact with a person in crisis. How to connect a person with help. Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE)
Assess for risk of suicide or harm Listen non-judgmentally Give reassurance and information Encourage appropriate professional help Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Kennesaw State Hosted Mental Health First Aid Training Dates
Friday, February 13, 2026 (In-person, 9 am-4:30 pm)
USG is also hosting MHFA virtual sessions from 8:30 am-4:00 pm that can be found here. The virtual sessions fill fast. Check back regularly for the updated schedule.
Becoming Allies for Recovery is a 75-minute workshop designed for students who are interested in understanding
substance use and supporting those in recovery. In this training, students will learn
about substance use disorder and recovery, ways to support friends and loved ones
in recovery, recovery support resources, and non-stigmatizing language. Students can
RSVP for an upcoming training on Owl Life by clicking the button below.
The Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery will offer free naloxone trainings
throughout the semester. Participants will learn to recognize opioid overdoses, administer
naloxone, understand how it works, and review the Georgia Medical Amnesty Law. Training
is free for KSU students, faculty, and staff, and a free naloxone kit is provided
upon completion. Registration is required.
