WPI’s Student Support Network (SSN) program is a training course designed to provide college students—who may find themselves in the role of trusted listener or helper for their peers—with knowledge, skills, destigmatizing perspectives, and connection capabilities.

Innovative Curriculum

Student groups meet once a week for a total of six sessions. Here, they learn to recognize warning signs of distress in their friends, gain insight into common mental health challenges, practice bringing up their concerns—in an sympathetic, nonjudgmental way—and build expertise at connecting friends to other support resources, such as the campus counseling center.

Proven Success

This program has been highly successful at WPI and has been adopted on other campuses, including:

• Amherst College
• Boston University
• Castleton State College
• Connecticut College
• Oberlin College
• Saint Michael's College
• University of Maine
• University of Nevada, Reno
• University of Southern Maine
• Wesleyan University

The SSN program is a Suicide Prevention Resource Center Best Practice and has been featured in the New York Times.

Free Training Materials

WPI provides the SSN training manual to professionals interested in starting or learning more about a Student Support Network. Complete the SSN Request Form below to receive your copy.

Consultation and Training

WPI services are available to help implement a Student Support Network on your campus. For a negotiable fee, we can assist with specific questions on implementation, provide consultation, or assist with training. Complete the SSN Request Form below to initiate a discussion with WPI or email us.