Mental Health Trainings
The University of New Haven offers three trainings to the campus community to better help us understand and respond to mental health situations, crises, and challenges appropriately. Two trainings are evidence-based and recommended by SAMHSA, and one is tailored to the University community.
If you are interested in participating in any of our trainings, please sign up here, and read below to help you decide which training best fits your needs.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Time commitment: 2 - 2.5 hours
Certification training: Yes
https://qprinstitute.com/
Become trained as a gatekeeper (someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide) and learn to: Recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, and know how to get help and save a life.
(2 hours)
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Fri., Sept 12: 9-11 a.m.
Instructor: Sam Kent, M.A., LPC, NCC, CIEC -
Mon., Sept 22: 1-3 p.m.
Instructor: Sam Kent, M.A., LPC, NCC, CIEC -
Thu., Oct. 9: 2-4 p.m.
Instructor: Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Tue., Oct. 21: 9-11 a.m.
Instructor: Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Wed., Nov. 5: 1-3 p.m.
Instructor: Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Mon., Nov. 17: 2-4 p.m.
Instructor: Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Mon., Dec 8: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Instructor: Sam Kent, M.A., LPC, NCC, CIEC
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QPR Instructor Profiles
Erica Hutchinson (She/Her/Hers)
Accessibility Services Coordinator
Erica works at the Accessibility Resources Center (ARC) here at the University of New Haven. In addition to her role on campus, Erica is a certified QPR trainer/instructor who is dedicated to teaching others about the warning signs and common causes of suicidal behaviors. After taking this training herself, it provided her with the ability to recognize when and how to effectively ask difficult but important questions to someone who was in crisis. She believes we can empower all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone else.
Sam Kent, M.A., LPC, NCC, CIEC (She/They)
Clinician II - CAPS
Sam Kent (she/they) is a board-certified (NCC) licensed clinician (LPC) at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). In addition to their clinical role on campus, Sam is also a Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor, which allows her to train individuals on how to ask the most important question to save someone’s life. Having lost a friend to suicide, Sam is passionate about ensuring those who are struggling know that there is hope, and they are cared for.
Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH (She/Her)
Associate Director for Health, Wellness Education & Prevention - Dean's Office
Diane Polo-Conklin is the associate director of health, wellness education, and prevention in the office of the Dean of Students. In addition to her efforts to promote wellness on our campus, she is now a Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor. Diane believes that it is essential that everyone receive this training so that they can feel comfortable asking life-saving questions and being able to recognize when to do so. Diane believes you can never predict when you will need to be in those shoes and need to provide someone hope, so it is vital that all people in our community are trained in QPR.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Time commitment: 8 hours on day-of, with an additional 2 hours of pre-work
Certification training: Yes
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use issues.
Sessions held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (8 hours)
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Wed., Sept. 17
Instructors: Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D. and Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Wed., Oct. 15
Instructors: Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D. and Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Wed., Nov. 19
Instructors: Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D. and Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH -
Wed., April 9
Instructors: Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D. and Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH
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MHFA Instructor Profiles
Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D., J.D. (He/Him/His)
Assistant Dean of Students
Dr. Clark serves as the Assistant Dean of Students, where he oversees the student conduct process with a particular emphasis on academic misconduct. In this role, he works closely with students, faculty, and administrators to ensure fair, educational, and developmentally grounded resolution of conduct matters while supporting students through a wide range of personal, academic, and institutional challenges as they work toward degree completion.
Dr. Clark has worked at institutions across the Midwest and New England and has dedicated his career to student support, policy implementation, and student success. He earned his law degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate in Education from Concordia University, where his doctoral research focused on restorative justice and student conduct.
He has been a nationally certified Mental Health First Aid instructor since September 2023 and has completed over 20 Mental Health First Aid trainings, reflecting his ongoing commitment to equipping the campus community with skills to recognize risk, respond with care, and connect individuals to appropriate support resources.
Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH (She/Her)
Associate Director for Health, Wellness Education & Prevention - Dean's Office
Diane Polo-Conklin is the associate director of health, wellness education, and prevention in the office of the Dean of Students. In addition to her efforts to promote wellness on our campus, she is now a Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor. Diane believes that it is essential that everyone receive this training so that they can feel comfortable asking life-saving questions and being able to recognize when to do so. Diane believes you can never predict when you will need to be in those shoes and need to provide someone hope, so it is vital that all people in our community are trained in QPR.
University-Specific Training
Recognize & Respond to Students in Distress
Time Commitment: 1.5 - 2 hours
A member of CAPS will present to your team, office or group a university-specific protocol for better understanding how to recognize when students are in distress and how to best support them. This includes practice of how to engage with students as well as resources to connect students, in addition to aiding staff and faculty in feeling confident when students are in crisis.
Please email CAPS to request a training session for your group.