Collegiate Life Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Universities and College across the state of Florida are CLASPing together to centralize suicide prevention information and resources to educate and empower students, staff, and faculty.

CLASP Flamingo Logo

Promoting Effective Suicide Awareness and Prevention

CLASP is an active and supportive coalition of staff and students who promote effective suicide awareness and prevention efforts that will save lives at Florida Universities and Colleges. Our logo, a Pink Flamingo, is a tropical bird that is often associated with Florida and was chosen by our students. The flamingo, is often seen in a flamboyance standing on one leg (striving for balance), tucking the other leg up under them (seeking warmth). The flamingo is also said to symbolize the importance of emotions and their free expression, promoting being open to others and being open-hearted.

COVID 19 Update:

The CLASP Coalition wishing students, staff and families well during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Each participating university has made different modifications to observe health pre-cautions related to COVID-19. Please click on the link below for your university to learn more about services that may be available to you.

University Representatives

CHAIR: Dr. Julie Rego

FOUNDERS: Dr. Julie Rego, Dr. Keith Kokseng, Dr. Sue Shapiro, Dr. Natalie Kretsch, Wendy Ordonez, Lauren Strunk, Cherilyn Bean, Dr. Manuel Varela, Dr. Jeannie Corredor.

Florida Gulf Coast University (Dr. Julie Rego, Dr. Jeannie Corredor, Lauren Strunk)
University of Florida (Dr. Sangsun "Sunie" Kim)
Florida Atlantic University (Cherilyn Bean)
University of Miami (Dr. Natalie Kretsch)
Ringling College of Arts and Design (Lauren Levine)

Florida International University (Wendy Ordonez, Peggy Rios)
Florida State University (Dr. Sue Shapiro)
Florida Institute of Technology (Dr. Robyn Tapley)
New College of Florida (Dr. Keith Kokseng)
University of South Florida (Heather Walders)

Clasp partner logos

Together we can stop suicide

Suicide Prevention Starts With You.

It is our hopes that becoming familiar with the information and resources available on this website, you will feel supported, connected, find balance, warmth, and empowerment as you learn to identify and provide resources to individuals who may be at risk of suicide. We strive to give you a better understanding of the impact suicide has and the tremendous power you can bring by talking openly about mental health issues. We're so glad you're seeking out support, and sincerely hope that the resources you find here will you, your loved ones, friends, and community.

Suicide Prevention Education

Learn how to help a friend.

Resources

Learn about State and local resources.

Vision
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Mission
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The mission of this initiative and supporting alliance is to create effective means to educate students about suicidal ideation and behavior of other students and to develop student efficacy in acting and intervening to prevent suicide.

The suicide awareness and intervention effort state initiative began in the Spring Semester of 2016. Numerous Florida Universities and College Counseling Center Clinicians teamed up to strengthen suicide awareness and prevention efforts at their universities. This committee plans to build a suicide awareness and prevention program that effectively engages today’s students. To accomplish this goal, the committee decided it was vital to build this program from data collected via student focus groups. Colleges and Universities in Florida held focus groups and analyzed the data. Students requested a website that will link to Florida universities/colleges so that they can “feel connected” and see what other universities are doing for suicide prevention. Students choose and then voted for a Pink Flamingo logo/mascot.

The CLASP team is designed a website to show to a professional IT staff member in hopes they would then design a similar professional website. The team is designing a Pink Flamingo mascot and logo.

Benefits of this initiative have included collaboration, support, and assistance in suicide prevention efforts at our Florida Colleges and Universities.
Goal
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