North Carolina NAMI affiliates and NAMI NC are working together to expand a new suicide prevention program created for college students.

NAMI on Campus North Carolina State has created a suicide prevention program called the 2-Minute Talk. Students work with professors to reduce stigma about neurodiversity and spread awareness about available mental health resources.

NAMI on Campus NC State students and graduates Melissa Eudy, A. Caleb Risher, Avi Aggarwal, Sara Hamilton and Karen Miller created the 2-Minute Talk in consultation with the NC State University Counseling Center and Suicide Prevention Program. Dr. Willa J. Casstevens is faculty advisor to NAMI on Campus NC State and past project director of the Suicide Prevention Program.

NAMI on Campus NC State will train students from NAMI on Campus University North Carolina Wilmington and NAMI on Campus Cape Fear Community College to implement the 2-Minute Talk in Wilmington.

The program will be carried out by NAMI on Campus UNCW President Scott Hannah and faculty advisor Sally MacKain, and NAMI on Campus CFCC President Taylor White and faculty advisor Kelly Stanley.

The 2-Minute Talk serves a need in the college community. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than all medical illnesses combined.

NAMI NC has funded the training through their Silber Grant program. NAMI Wilmington has also given money for the training. SAMSHA and US DHHS have supported the 2-Minute Talk.

Debra Kindervatter, NAMI NC Executive Board member and NAMI Wilmington Vice President, has organized the training with James F. Eby, NAMI Wilmington Board member.