CHHS
School of Social Work
SPARC (Suicide Prevention Awareness and Research Collaborative)

SPARC (Suicide Prevention Awareness and Research Collaborative)

SPARC is a collaborative initiative at Salisbury University focused on advancing suicide prevention through education, training, research, and community engagement. Grounded in a preventive approach, SPARC brings together academic, community-based, and student-facing partners to strengthen prevention efforts across campus.

SPARC is a non-clinical prevention and coordination initiative: we build campus capacity through education, training, and research, and we strengthen pathways to care through close alignment with the Counseling Center and emergency resources. SPARC does not provide counseling or crisis services. Students in need of support should contact the Salisbury University Counseling Center or emergency resources.

Why Now?

College campuses are navigating a period of rising mental health acuity, with more students experiencing distress that can escalate quickly without timely support. In this environment, prevention can’t rest solely on clinical services: faculty, staff, and peers frequently serve as the first to notice warning signs and are essential “gatekeepers” to care.

At the same time, campuses need consistent, well-understood pathways for identification, consultation, referral, and follow-up rather than a patchwork of one-time events or disconnected initiatives. There also remains a meaningful evidence gap in what training approaches most effectively improve real-world gatekeeper skills and increase help-seeking behaviors, underscoring the need for coordinated prevention efforts that combine education with measurable learning and outcomes.

SPARC was established to strengthen prevention capacity, improve coordination, and contribute to a more prepared and responsive campus community.

What SPARC Does

Campus Engagement & Awareness

Supports student-led and campus-wide initiatives that promote awareness of suicide prevention resources.
Partners with national organizations to host events that encourage conversation, connection, and help-seeking.
Coordinates campus programs such as the Out of the Darkness Walk.

Education & Training

Provides training opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and professionals.
Integrates evidence-informed suicide assessment education into academic programs.
Hosts workshops and continuing education events focused on suicide prevention in college-aged populations.

Research & Learning

Conducts and supports research related to suicide prevention, assessment, and help-seeking.
Uses innovative training approaches, including simulation-based learning.
Shares findings through publications, presentations, and campus partnerships.

How SPARC Works

SPARC functions as a collaborative hub, bringing together expertise from across the university, the greater Salisbury community, and national suicide prevention advocates to support prevention, preparedness, and shared responsibility.

SPARC was co-founded by the School of Social Work and SU’s Counseling Center.

SPARC’s role is preventive and educational. Clinical assessment, treatment, and crisis response remain the responsibility of licensed mental health providers, the Counseling Center, and emergency services.
Confidentiality / Reporting Clarity

SPARC is not a confidential resource. If you share imminent risk concerns, SPARC will connect you to Counseling Center or emergency response pathways.

Individuals seeking confidential mental health support should contact the Counseling Center directly.
Looking Ahead

SPARC aims to strengthen Salisbury University’s prevention capacity through expanded education, training, research, and campus collaboration. By integrating prevention into academic programs, supporting campus-wide preparedness, and contributing to the development of effective prevention practices, SPARC supports the university’s commitment to student well-being and community safety.
Need Support Now?

If you, or another student, is in immediate danger call 911. For concerns about a student’s immediate safety, call University Police at 410-543-6222 or their local police department.

If you are concerned about a student’s wellbeing who is not in immediate danger, and the concern is not clearly, or solely, related to their mental health report it to the SU Case Manager by creating an Online Care Report. If you are not sure who to contact read our Know How to Get Help information sheet to learn more.

Urgent appointments are available at the Counseling Center for students during walk-in hours, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. To initiate an urgent appointment, students can walk into the Counseling Center office, which is located on the second floor of the Guerrieri Student Union in room 263, and tell front desk staff that they need an urgent appointment. The student will be offered the first available opening. Before the appointment, the student will complete required intake forms and will then meet with a clinician to create a plan.

For 24/7 access to mental health support, all SU students can access TimelyCare’s TalkNow service for free by downloading the TimelyCare app or by visiting the TimelyCare website and selecting TalkNow. Faculty and staff can access after hours guidance and support in cases of student distress by calling the TimelyCare team at 833-4-TIMELY (available 24/7.) Anyone can access off-campus crisis resources for free, at any time.