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Project HOPE

Project HOPE Updates

Siena Univeristy received a $300,000 three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding enabled the development of Project HOPE (Health and Optimism through Prevention and Education) and supported Siena University in becoming a JED Campus, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving student mental health

In 2023, the Project HOPE Task Force was developed, bringing together key members from across campus to collaborate on the campus's unique strategic plan to increase mental health focused initiatives on campus. Below is a list of key milestones the group has achieved since its formation.

Questions about the Project HOPE Task Force? Contact cdockum@siena.edu

Key Milestones:

2022

  • Mental Health Training Initiatives: Siena launched Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Trainings across campus to enhance mental health literacy among faculty, staff, administrators, and students.

2023

  • Taskforce Collaboration: The Project HOPE Taskforce, comprised of campus leaders, convened for the first time.
  • New Digital Resource: The TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) app by Uplift became freely available to the Siena community, offering accessible mental health resources at no cost.
  • Campus-Wide Survey: The Healthy Minds Survey was introduced to gather essential data on the health and well-being of students.
  • Strategic Planning with JED: In November, JED representatives visited Siena to assist the Project HOPE Taskforce in creating a multi-faceted strategic plan for mental health initiatives.
  • Men’s Mental Health Committee-manKIND: A student-led committee was formed to address men's mental health challenges and develop programming on campus.
  • Training opportunities continue, and Project HOPE Taskforce continues to meet

2024

  • JED Campus Recognition: Siena officially became a JED Campus, cementing its commitment to mental health advocacy.
  • Narcan Box Installation: A Narcan Emergency box was installed on campus to enhance emergency response to opioid overdoses.
  • Postvention Plan: A comprehensive postvention plan was developed and adopted to support the community in the aftermath of loss of a student.
  • Training opportunities continue, and Project HOPE Taskforce continues to meet

2025

  • The 2025 National College Health Assessment has launched — 517 Siena students completed the survey. This valuable data will help guide future prevention initiatives on campus.
  • Training for the Siena community in QPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Narcan administration continues
  • Various on- and off-campus partners hosted a Mental Health Awareness Night at a Siena University women's basketball game.
  • manKIND, the men's mental health committee, hosts various events, including a Men's Wellness Panel Night featuring David Romano, a speaker from the Active Minds Bureau
  • The University hosts its 7th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk, raising close to $18,000
  • The new Student Wellness Room launches in the Fall semester. This space can be reserved by students to decompress, rest and recharge!
  • A.I.D Training  is piloted at Siena, to a selected group of campus partners, as a new mental health gatekeeper training, more details to follow on future training dates and times