Longhorns Listen: Empowering the UT Austin Community to Prevent Suicide

Published: November 27, 2024

At the University of Texas at Austin, the well-being of students, faculty and staff is a top priority. Mental health support is essential, and one new program leading the way is Longhorns Listen, an initiative focused on suicide prevention and fostering a culture of care across campus.

What is Longhorns Listen?

Longhorns Listen is a training program designed to equip members of the UT Austin community with the skills to recognize and respond to signs of emotional distress, particularly when it comes to suicide prevention.

Madeline Shaw, Mental Health Promotion Coordinator for the Longhorn Wellness Center and one of the senior trainers for the program, shares, "The goal of Longhorns Listen is to build empathy and create a supportive community. It’s not about being an expert but about being there for someone in their moment of need."

The program's core philosophy is simple but powerful: By learning how to show up for one another, we can create a campus environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to speak out about their mental health.

Building Empathy and Confidence

The workshop uses an interactive format that helps participants build empathy while confronting the anxiety that can arise when discussing sensitive topics like suicide. Through engaging activities, real-life scenarios and reflection exercises, the program encourages participants to identify how they would respond to someone in crisis while practicing essential communication skills, like asking someone if they are thinking about suicide.

One impactful exercise is the “silent interview,” where participants communicate solely through drawings. This lighthearted activity highlights the importance of simplicity in communication, mirroring the direct, clear language necessary when addressing serious topics like suicide. By the end of the training, participants understand that it’s okay not to have all the answers—asking the right question can be life-saving.

Brittany O’Malley, Associate Director for Prevention and Wellness for the Longhorn Wellness Center and another senior trainer, adds, "The silent interview activity helps people realize how vital it is to keep things simple when having tough conversations. It’s a reminder that you don’t need complicated language—just the courage to ask the right questions."

Tailored for UT Austin

The Longhorns Listen program, adapted from the Syracuse University-based Campus Connect model, was rolled out across UT System schools.

Dr. Chris Brownson, AVP for Health and Well-being and I worked closely with staff from various UT System institutions to identify the best training to be launched system-wide,” says Katy Redd, Executive Director of the Longhorn Wellness Center. “We were looking for a training that was flexible—something that could be delivered in about an hour to an hour and a half, could be tailored to each institution’s resources and would allow for a train-the-trainer model. All these factors led us to choose the Campus Connect program.”

Beyond UT specific mental health resources, the Longhorn Wellness Center also incorporated mindfulness exercises to help participants manage the emotional weight of the subject in UT Austin’s version of the training.

“We understood that discussing suicide and mental health could stir up intense emotions, so we introduced mindfulness practices to help participants stay present,” explains Madeline Shaw. “We felt this was especially important for our UT Austin community.”

Designed to be accessible, the training sessions are 75 to 90 minutes long, making it easy for anyone on campus to participate. Longhorns Listen is not just for students—faculty and staff are also encouraged to get trained. The goal is for everyone in the UT Austin community to feel empowered to support their peers, whether they are fellow students, colleagues or staff members.

A Growing Network of Trainers

A key strength of Longhorns Listen is the network of senior trainers who are spreading the message across campus. These trainers come from various areas of UT Austin, including the Longhorn Wellness Center, the Counseling and Mental Health Center, student support offices and central campus departments like Texas Athletics. By training more faculty and staff, Longhorns Listen continues to expand its reach, ensuring all members of the campus community can access mental health support and understand how to intervene when necessary.

Brittany emphasizes, "This program is about building a community-wide network of care. The more trainers we have, the more people are empowered to help and make a difference."

Impacting the UT Austin Community

The impact of Longhorns Listen is already evident. In pilot sessions, participants have shared that the training helped them respond effectively in real-life situations. They’ve reported feeling more confident in their ability to ask someone if they’re struggling and knowing how to connect them to the right resources. Feedback has also highlighted the program’s success in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.

As the program continues to expand, it’s clear that Longhorns Listen is making a lasting difference at UT Austin. It’s more than just a training session; it’s a movement toward creating a supportive, caring campus culture where no one has to face struggles alone.

As the program continues to expand, it’s clear that Longhorns Listen is making a lasting difference at UT Austin. It’s more than just a training session; it’s a movement toward creating a supportive, caring campus culture where no one has to face struggles alone.

Madeline reflects, "The most rewarding part is hearing that the training has made an immediate impact on someone’s ability to help. It’s proof that this program is not only educating people but empowering them to take action."

Join the Movement

Be part of the change at UT Austin by getting involved in Longhorns Listen. Whether you attend a training session, request a workshop for a group you are part of, or encourage others to participate, you’re contributing to making mental health a priority on campus. By listening with empathy, asking difficult questions, and offering support, we can build a stronger, healthier community together.

"For all of us, it’s about being human—recognizing that we all face struggles at different times and offering support to help someone get to where they need to be when they’re the one struggling in that moment," says Katy.

Remember: Longhorns listen, and you matter.