CAPS logo

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.

Evidence-Based Trainings

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Time commitment: 2 - 2.5 hours
Certification training: Yes

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.

QPR Training Dates

(2 hours)

  • Sept. 13: 9-11 a.m.
    Instructor: Diane Polo
  • Sept. 17: 2-4 p.m.
    Instructors: Sam Kent & Diane Polo
  • Sept. 26: 9-11 a.m.
    Instructors: Erica Hutchinson & Paige Bartels
  • Oct. 7: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
    Instructors: Erica Hutchinson & Paige Bartels
  • Oct. 14: 9-11 a.m.
    Instructors: Sam Kent & Diane Polo
  • Nov. 5: 2:30-4:30 p.m.
    Instructors: Erica Hutchinson & Paige Bartels
  • Nov. 14: 9-11 a.m.
    Instructors: Sam Kent & Diane Polo
  • Dec. 6: 10-12 a.m.
    Instructors: Sam Kent & Diane Polo
  • Paige Bartels, LCSW

    Paige Bartels, LCSW (She/Her)

    Director - CAPS

    Paige Bartels, LCSW is the director of the Counseling & Psychological Services office here at the University of New Haven. She was an integral part of bringing QPR and MHFA to campus several years ago, and is excited to be taking on a role of doing direct trainings. She brings a conversational, warm demeanor to trainings which cover some difficult topics. Paige is passionate about helping as many folks as possible in our community be trained to better understand mental health concerns and how to respond to keep our community safe and thriving.

    Erica Hutchinson

    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.ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ¯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

    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 someoneÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™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

    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

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use issues.

MHFA Training Dates

(8 hours)

  • Sept. 5: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Curtis Clark
  • Sept. 12: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Paige Bartels
  • Oct. 21: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Diane Polo
  • Oct. 24: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Curtis Clark
  • Nov. 13: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Curtis Clark
  • Nov. 25: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Instructor: Paige Bartels
  • Paige Bartels, LCSW

    Paige Bartels, LCSW (She/Her)

    Director - CAPS

    Paige Bartels, LCSW is the director of the Counseling & Psychological Services office here at the University of New Haven. She was an integral part of bringing QPR and MHFA to campus several years ago, and is excited to be taking on a role of doing direct trainings. She brings a conversational, warm demeanor to trainings which cover some difficult topics. Paige is passionate about helping as many folks as possible in our community be trained to better understand mental health concerns and how to respond to keep our community safe and thriving.

    Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D.

    Curtis J. Clark, Ed.D. (He/Him/His)

    Director of Campus Life & Student Support

    Dr. Curtis J. Clark is the Director of Campus Life & Student Support and serves as the Chief Housing Officer for the University of New Haven. He has worked at various institutions in the Midwest and New England and has focused his career on supporting students navigate their college experience. He has been a nationally certified Mental Health First Aid instructor since September 2023 and is passionate about helping the Charger community learn valuable skills to assess for risk of suicide or harm and assist by listening non-judgmentally, giving reassurance and information, and encouraging self-help or seeking appropriate professional help. Together lets #BeTheDifference

    Diane Polo-Conklin, MPH

    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 Paige Bartels, CAPS Director, to request a training session for your group.