The UAB Enterprise Mental Health Advocate Program has rolled out a comprehensive refresh that makes it easier to invest in the mental health of the UAB community. New learning opportunities, expanded learning paths and redesigned digital badges make meaningful mental health education flexible and relevant for participants across UAB.
“These updates make the Mental Health Advocate Program more accessible to more faculty and staff members,” said Tami Long, Ph.D., director of the UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center, or EACC.
One of the most notable changes is a fully self‑paced Level 1 experience, which Long said allows participants to move through the material on their own schedule: “With this format, employees no longer need to carve out time midday to attend a session, making it easier to complete Level 1 at their convenience.”
The Level 1 curriculum takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete, during which participants are introduced to key well-being resources and learn about practical stress-management tools through platforms like the UABWell app and Therapy Assistance Online, or TAO.
Another major enhancement to the program is the addition of more targeted learning paths, starting in Level 1. Participants can now choose from:
- Student Path
- Faculty/Staff Path
- Student-Supporting Path
- Leaders Path
The new Student-Supporting learning path is designed for faculty and staff who work closely with students and want training focused on supporting student mental health.
The redesigned program badges are awarded at the completion of each level. They can be displayed in email signatures, on social media and on professional profiles.Program badges, awarded at the completion of each level, have also been redesigned to align with UAB’s updated brand identity. These badges can be displayed in email signatures, on social media or on professional profiles to showcase an individual’s commitment to mental health advocacy.
A program that builds with you
Each level in the Mental Health Advocate Program builds on the one before it — meaning that completing Level 1 puts employees well on their way toward Level 2, if they wish to continue strengthening their mental health advocacy skills.
Participants who follow their chosen learning path all the way though the Fellow level can continue their education with the Facilitator or Peer Responder paths. The Mental Health Facilitator path allows participants to contribute by teaching essential skills for supporting individuals with mental health concerns, while the Mental Health Peer Responder path is designed for emergency responders, faculty and staff who want to encourage colleagues after difficult experiences.
The UAB Enterprise Mental Health Advocate Program was launched in 2023 by the UAB Cares Suicide Prevention Initiative to allow participants to earn badges showcasing their commitment to mental health. The refresh was developed through collaboration with the UAB Cares Suicide Prevention Committee chair, Angela Stowe, Ph.D., along with members of the committee’s Mental Health Advocate Badge Program subcommittee.
Long hopes the updates will open the door for more employees to participate in the refreshed program.
“We hope this will encourage broader participation and strengthen our commitment to mental health and well-being across the UAB enterprise,” Long said.
Learn more about the UAB Enterprise Mental Health Advocate Program and how to get started on the UAB Cares website.
Become a mental health advocate
New to the program? Get started today by registering to become a Level 1 mental health advocate. All Level 1 learning paths are 100 percent self-paced and online, allowing you to complete the curriculum on your own schedule in approximately 3.5 hours.
Looking ahead, check out upcoming sessions of required training for advanced levels:
- Mental Health First Aid — required for all Fellow learning paths. Next session: June 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., online. Register here (deadline to register is June 15).
- VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace — required for Leaders Level 2 learning path. Next session: July 8, 1-3 p.m., online. Register here.
- QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention — required for Student, Faculty/Staff and Student-Supporting Level 2 learning paths. Next session: July 23, 8:30-10 a.m. Registration opens June 23.