The University of Nebraska–Lincoln surpassed its goal of training 1,500 suicide prevention gatekeepers this year, celebrating 1,524 gatekeepers at their one-year anniversary event.

The REACH Gatekeeper Training program is organized by Big Red Resilience and Well-being and supported by a three-year, $300,000 grant the university received in December 2018. Trained Huskers represent the university’s 10 colleges and numerous departments.

Now, Nebraska is looking to increase its total number of trained gatekeepers to 4,000 in 2020.

“REACH is a proactive way to touch students and staff when they may be at their lowest point,” said Erin Sayer, a REACH trainer and associate professor in biochemistry. “The sessions are geared toward a mixed audience, offer the possibility of connecting with others and help you feel empowered to touch other’s lives.”

REACH stands for:

• Recognize warning signs

• Engage with empathy

• Ask directly about suicide

• Communicate hope

• Help suicidal individuals to access care and treatment

The training session lasts 90 minutes. Participants who finish the training receive certificates and lapel pins verifying their completion of the program. Campus departments and Recognized Student Organizations may request a 90-minute REACH training online.