Welcome to the October 2025 edition of the Student Tide Against Suicide (STAS) Newsletter! In this newsletter, you will find an overview of our October events, an introduction to our new Blue Button Initiative, STAS in the news, and details for Suicide Awareness Week events and the following scheduled trainings and workshops:
- Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings
- Mind Matters Workshops (MMW) series
- Talk Saves LivesTM (TSL) trainings
- Blue Button Initiative (BBI) peer support
October Events Calendar
We are hosting many events this year to provide educational outreach and support to our campus community, with an especially packed Suicide Awareness Week, Oct. 12 – 19, which will culminate in our Oct. 19 Out of the Darkness Walk. Join us for any or all of the events listed here, and see more information about the times and locations throughout the newsletter!
If you’re interested in scheduling any of these trainings for your organization, please reach out to us at uastudenttas@gmail.com.
Want to download or print our colorful October Events Calendar? Here’s the image file!
Early October
Oct. 7
TuesdayMind Matters Workshop
Oct. 9
ThursdayMind Matters Workshop
Suicide Awareness Week
Oct. 12
SundayQuestion, Persuade, Refer
Oct. 13
MondayTalk Saves Lives
Oct. 14
TuesdayQuestion, Persuade, Refer
Oct. 15
WednesdayTalk Saves Lives
Oct. 16
Thursday- Blue Button Initiative
- Question, Persuade, Refer
Oct. 17
FridayTalk Saves Lives
Oct. 19
SundayOut of the Darkness Walk
- 5 – 7 p.m.
- UA Student Center
Late October
Oct. 21
TuesdayMind Matters Workshop
Oct. 23
ThursdayMind Matters Workshop
QPR and MMW
For October, we are offering several Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Mind Matters Workshops (MMW) – with both on line and in person options!
Question, Persuade, Refer
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training is open to UA students, faculty and staff as s free 1-hour suicide prevention training.
- Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
- Oct. 14 at 12 p.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
- Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
- Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. in UA Student Center Room 3104
Mind Matters Workshop
The Mind Matters workshop series (MMW) is a free offering for students, with each workshop focused on a different topic that students may face or struggle with during their college experience. Registration is not required.
- Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual on Zoom; Topic: Anxiety/Academic Anxiety
- Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. – UA Student Center Room 3108; Topic: Anxiety/Academic Anxiety
- Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual on Zoom; Topic: Social Media Literacy and Mental Health
- Oct. 23 at 12 p.m. – UA Student Center Room 3108; Topic: Social Media Literacy and Mental Health
TSL and BBI
We are also hosting a few Talk Saves LivesTM (TSL) trainings and a Blue Button Initiative training this month! See below for information on these events.
Talk Saves LivesTM
Talk Saves LivesTM is a standardized, peer led, suicide prevention and awareness program developed by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
- Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
- Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
- Oct 17 at 11 a.m. in UA Student Center Room 3108
Blue Button Initiative
The Blue Button Initiative is new, and it is designed to engage students in peer-to-peer connection to increase awareness of campus resources. Let’s talk – peer support is here for you!
- Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. in UA Student Center Room 3700
New Program: Blue Button Initiative
Blue Button is a campus program designed to engage students in peer-to peer connection to increase awareness of campus resources to students.
A person wearing a blue button is someone who has shown interest, and received the training, to support their peers in getting connected to resources.
How Can I Get Involved?
STAS will hold blue button trainings each semester. Stay up to date by following along on the Instagram and feel free to reach out about any individual group trainings or questions.
Suicide Awareness Week
In addition to the trainings available, during Suicide Awareness Week (Oct. 13 – 19), we have events almost every day to support suicide awareness on campus!
All events (except the Mugshots percentage night) are worth Greek points!
Want to download or print our colorful Suicide Awareness Week schedule? Here’s the image file!
Monday, Oct. 13
Positivity Tabling with STAS
Oct 13
Time 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Plaza
Messages of Hope Tabling
Oct 13
Time 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location Denny Chimes
Talk Saves Lives
Oct 13
Time 5:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3108
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Purple Flag Tabling
Oct 14
Time 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location Denny Chimes
Question, Persuade, Refer
Oct 14
Time 5:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3108
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Flags of Hope Tabling
Oct 15
Time 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location Denny Chimes
Talk Saves Lives
Oct 15
Time 5:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3108
Smash the Stigma Pickleball Tournament
Oct 15
Time 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location Student Recreation Center
Thursday, Oct. 16
Blue Button Initiative
Oct 16
Time 10:00 a.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3700
Question, Persuade, Refer
Oct 16
Time 2:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3108
Mugshots Percentage Night
Oct 16
Location Mugshots Grill and Bar
Friday, Oct. 17
Create and Connect: DIY Bracelets
Oct 17
Time 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center
Talk Saves Lives
Oct 17
Time 11:00 a.m.
Location UA Student Center Room 3108
Sunday, Oct. 19
Out of the Darkness Walk
Oct 19
Time 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location UA Student Center Plaza
STAS in the News!
Student Tide Against Suicide hosted the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Talk Saves Lives” training. This training, hosted by certified members of the board at UA, empowers students to engage in conversations with members of the community who might be experiencing mental health struggles.
One conversation can truly save a life. We're thankful for the WVUA 23 highlight! Also, great job to our incredible PhD student assistant for handling the interview!!