Who are the Mental Health Ambassadors?
Research has shown that personal storytelling plays a crucial role in suicide prevention by reducing the stigma of discussing challenges we all face with our mental health.
Mental Health Ambassadors undergo extensive training in storytelling and suicide prevention
and is equipped with the skills to effectively facilitate conversations about mental
health, promote wellbeing, and reduce the stigma.
In addition to storytelling presentations, Ambassadors support the UofSC community
by providing information about healthy coping skills and local resources that support
everyone’s wellbeing--not just those in crisis.
Mental Health Ambassadors is a grant-funded initiative sponsored by Student Health Services Mental Health Initiatives department.
Request a Presentation
Classes, campus community groups, and student organizations can request a Mental Health Ambassadors presentation via Student Health Services’ wellness presentation page. The presentation includes the ambassador’s personal mental health story and a review of mental health support resources available on campus (approx. 30 minutes).
Become an Ambassador
Are you passionate about mental health? Do you have a story to tell? Consider applying to become a Mental Health Ambassador!
Mental Health Ambassadors gain valuable experience, through their training and their work, in leadership, public speaking, program planning, and marketing/social media strategy. As peer-to-peer educators, Mental Health Ambassadors have distinctive opportunities to connect with other students who share a commitment to mental health advocacy.
Responsibilities of a Mental Health Ambassador include:
- Complete Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper, Kognito At-Risk, and Mental Health First Aid trainings
- Participate in the Mental Health Ambassadors storytelling training, and prepare a presentation based on your personal mental health journey
- Provide presentations to groups across campus (minimum 2 presentations/semester once training is complete)
- Work as a team to plan and execute outreach to student groups who may be interested in learning about emotional wellness and campus resources through our presentations
- Collaborate to develop social media content related to coping skills and community resources
- Promote Student Health Services programs and activities to the UofSC community
- Attend meetings (weekly)
Since many of the students participating in the program live with mental health challenges or support someone who does, Mental Health Ambassadors are uniquely suited to model mental health skills to the UofSC community.
Ambassadors are also expected to:
- Engage in self-care: we identify the habits that help us maintain our emotional wellbeing (e.g. getting enough rest, taking medicine as prescribed, going to therapy), and intentionally engage with them on a regular basis.
- Practice good boundary setting: we ask for social and operational support when life circumstances or mental health symptoms interfere with our ability to keep up with responsibilities.
- Develop a support system: we support one another by being kind and keeping an open mind; we offer to take on additional responsibilities or tasks when someone is struggling or faces a busy week.