The event will begin at 11 a.m. in front of Ottenheimer Library with check in at 10 a.m. with a free brunch, live music, giveaways, and inspirational speakers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with therapy dogs. The campus walk will begin at 12 p.m., after the Chancellor provides a proclamation.

 鈥淭he Campus Suicide Prevention Walk is about bringing our campus community together to send a clear message that you are not alone.鈥� Dr. Aresh Assadi said, 鈥淲e want students, faculty, and the broader community to see that support is available and that their lives matter. Events like this help reduce stigma, build connection, and remind people that it鈥檚 okay to reach out for help.鈥�

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, approximately 1,100 college students die by suicide each year. In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-24 and ranks as the 10th leading cause of death statewide.

鈥淢ental health resources are available, but it鈥檚 crucial that people feel empowered to seek help,鈥� Assadi said. 鈥淲e also want to encourage students to check in on their friends, classmates, or even acquaintances who may be struggling. A simple conversation could make all the difference.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to participate. Registration is for both in-person and virtual walkers. Proceeds from the event will support the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Please register for the Campus Walk at . 

Though this is a fundraising event, it is free to everyone. Donations are encouraged but are not necessary to enjoy the event.For more information, contact Dr. Aresh Assadi at 501-916-3185, axassadi@ualr.edu, or counselingservices@ualr.edu.

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鈥淥ur goal is to enhance the wellness and belonging of everyone at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Una Drake, graduate assistant for Student Affairs.

A key event is the Health Fair on April 2, where students and employees can connect with campus resources like Counseling Services, the Disability Resource Center, and Health Services. Free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, HIV, and syphilis testing, will be available.

Another major event is the seventh annual Suicide Prevention Walk on April 25, which raises awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Students, employees, and organizations are encouraged to participate. Donations are appreciated but not required.

鈥淭hese events help make our campus healthier and more welcoming,鈥� said Sharon Ann Downs, assistant vice chancellor for wellness and belonging in Student Affairs.

For more information on Wellness and Belonging Month activities, visit . 

Week 1

April 1: Balance and Beyond: Design Your Personal Wellness Plan, DSC Leadership Lounge, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

April 2: Health Fair, DSC Ledbetter Rooms, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

April 4: Flow State Freedom: Finding Clarity and Calm through Mandala Art, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 2:30-4 p.m.

Week 2

April 7: Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Screening, DSC Lobby (near the cafeteria), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

April 11: Bystander Intervention Training, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 1-3 p.m.

Week 3

April 14: Drawing and Mindfulness with Clark Valentine, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 1-2:30 p.m.

April 17: Assistive Technology Interactive Workshop, Ottenheimer Library Room 100A, 1-2:30 p.m.

Week 4

April 23: Narcan Training, DSC Ledbetter A, 2-3 p.m.

April 25: Suicide Prevention Walk, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

11 a.m. Check-in, food, music, and activities

1 p.m. Walk – Meet in front of the Ottenheimer Library

Week 5

April 29: Unstoppable You: Tools for Growth, Grit, and Grace, Ottenheimer Library Room 535, 2-3 p.m.

April 30: Dislecksia: The Movie, DSC meeting room D, 1-2:30 p.m.

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Dr. Christina Sellers, assistant professor of social work at Simmons University, will be presenting her research on “Integrated Suicide and Substance Use Intervention for Adolescents in Substance Use Treatments,鈥� from 12:30-2 p.m. Feb. 28. The lecture is free to attend, and those interested may .

鈥淪uicide and substance use are often interrelated and worsen each other,鈥� Sellers said. 鈥淎dolescents with problematic substance use typically receive outpatient substance use treatment, where suicidal thoughts and behaviors are rarely fully addressed.鈥�

Sellers received a 2021 Young Investigator Grant from the for approximately $90,000 to develop a brief integrated substance use and suicide intervention plan developed collaboratively with clinicians and patients that can be delivered in an outpatient setting.

In the next phase of her research, Sellers will assess the intervention for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on suicide and substance-related outcomes.

The event is sponsored by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Counseling Services, Wellness and Inclusion, and the Division of Student Affairs.

For more information, contact Assadi at axassadi@ualr.edu.

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鈥淒r. Assadi has been an invaluable member of the Counseling Services team since 2010, most recently serving as assistant director,鈥� said Sharon Ann Downs, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. 鈥淗e has been instrumental in growing the internship program, which has significantly increased capacity in the department. He is passionate about promoting overall wellness and reducing stigma toward seeking help. Assadi is a tremendous asset to the Division of Student Affairs and to the campus community, and I鈥檓 thrilled to have him in this new leadership position.鈥�

Assadi takes over for Dr. Mike Kirk, who recently retired from his role of director of Health Services and Counseling Services.

鈥淚 am very excited about my promotion,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 have been here for many years and have been working toward this for a long time. I鈥檝e got some big shoes to fill, so hopefully I can carry on Dr. Kirk鈥檚 legacy. He did some great things here, and I am planning to build on those. I inherited a really good team and situation from Dr. Kirk.鈥�

As director of Counseling Services, Assadi is responsible for managing the Counseling Services team, providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment for student counseling needs, providing crisis intervention assistance to students, supervising a team of clinical interns, and for providing mental health programming to the campus.

Assadi earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology and a master鈥檚 degree in clinical mental health, both from Henderson State University, as well as an Ed.D. in Higher Education 鈥� Student Affairs from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

He is a board member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Research Connections chairperson. He recently had his paper accepted by the American Educational Research Association. Assadi will present at the association鈥檚 annual conference in April about his dissertation, which investigates men鈥檚 attitudes toward seeking mental health services.

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