Our Suicide Prevention Research Team, housed within the College of Education at Florida State University, is comprised of doctoral students, master’s students, and undergraduate students. Our research focuses on preventing suicide and improving well-being among college students. Our team also conducts research related to college student mental health in the areas of social connection, disordered eating, LGBTQIA, athletes, and students with disabilities. Through our research, we hope to improve the ability of college campuses to help students thrive.
Cara is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She received her bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Kelly Dillon is a doctoral student in Florida State University’s Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program. She received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2018, and her B.S. in Psychology from Villanova University with minors in Counseling and Irish Studies in 2016. She is the program coordinator for FSU’s Women in Math, Science, and Engineering (WIMSE) LLC.
Jungyeong earned a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology at Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. Her research interest is psychological difficulties (depression or anxiety) resulting from personality, especially a different type of perfectionism and moderating variables to affect the relationship between personality and mental health. She is also interested in scale development, prediction models, and other quantitative methods. She enjoys painting and reading books as well as watching dramas.
Alex Fisher is a doctoral student in Florida State University’s Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology Ph.D. program. He received his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2016. His research interests revolve around suicide prevention and crisis intervention in the active military component in hopes of creating policy changes and overcoming mental health stigmas.
Heather is a first-year doctoral student in the Combined Counseling and School Psychology PhD program at FSU. She completed her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Akron. She previously worked at a Northeast Ohio children’s hospital as a Mental Health Technician in their inpatient behavioral health department.
Tiffany Brown is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She is interested in prevention and intervention research, with a focus on systems-level change.
Jillian Konopa is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She is originally from upstate New York but moved down to Athens, Georgia where she earned her B.S. in Psychology and a B.S.F.C.S in Human Development Family Science from the University of Georgia. She recently earned her M.S. from Florida State in Sport Psychology.
Joycelyn Albury is a current doctoral student in the Combined School and Counseling Psychology program at the Florida State University. She is originally from Miami, Florida. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University in Psychology and her Master’s degree at Nova Southeastern University in Mental Health Counseling. She is currently a registered mental health counselor intern.
Stephanie Garrett is a doctoral student in Florida State University’s Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program. She received her MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University (UK) in 2018, and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Redlands with a minor in Physical Education in 2016. Her research interests include psychosocial development, performance enhancement, barriers to success, as well as student-athlete transitions and wellbeing.
Kelsey Kinnamon received her bachelor's degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology from West Virginia University and her master's degree from Georgia Southern University in Sport & Exercise Psychology.
Holly Larkin is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She is a Tallahassee native and received her B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University in 2017.
Danny is a first-year doctoral student in the Combined Counseling and School Psychology program at Florida State University. He is originally from Toluca Lake, California and received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2021. Danny currently works as a Career Advisor at Florida State’s Career Center. In his free time, Danny enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, and exploring Tallahassee with friends.
Grace is a current doctoral student in the Combined Counseling and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She is originally from Shanghai, China. She received her B.S. in psychology at East China Normal University and M.S. in clinical mental health counseling at Marquette University. Her clinical and research interests are in suicide prevention and multicultural. Grace loves making handmade earrings and doing nails in her free time.
Sam is currently finishing her internship in the M.S./Ed.S. School Psychology program at FSU in a Georgia school district. Sam earned her B.S. in Psychology from FSU in 2011. She is most interested in suicide intervention and prevention; mood, personality, and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents; and exploring the relationship between mental and physical health. She hopes to eventually obtain her Ph.D. and pursue a career in research and academia. Sam’s favorite hobby is spending time with her puppy, Delilah.
Katie is currently a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology PhD program at Florida State University. Prior to entering the doctoral program, Katie worked as a researcher and Mental Health Specialist at a residential facility for abused and traumatized children in Northeast Ohio. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy in 2013 from Furman University. Katie is currently researching how living-learning communities protect against distress and suicidality in first-year students transitioning to college.
Diana is currently working on her doctorate in Florida State’s Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program, with a focus in counseling psychology. Diana received her M.S.W. with a concentration in mental health counseling from the University of Southern California and her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Educational Studies from the University of Florida. She has worked with various populations including youth with disabilities, both adult and child survivors of domestic violence, and Veterans.
Shanteria Owens is a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia. She decided to pursue a career in psychology because she wants to help people overcome the challenges they experience. She attended Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She later pursued a Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling and School Psychology at Florida State University.
Alexis is from Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, is married, and has two children. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University (FSU) in Criminology and Political Science in 2009, master’s in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University in 2011, and master’s in Social Work in 2017 also from FSU. Alexis is a Ph.D. student in the Counseling and School Psychology program at FSU, focusing her research on behavioral health navigation and integrated behavioral healthcare.
Colleen received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida before earning her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Colleen is a student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology doctoral program, and her primary research interests include resilience and distress tolerance among high school and college-aged youth. She is particularly interested in the intersection of mental health and athletes, including concerns such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and stigma.
Paige received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida and then spent a few years in the world of advertising before pursuing graduate studies. Paige is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology Ph.D. program, with a focus on children and adolescents. She works with children in a variety of settings, including schools, medical settings, and private practice. Paige’s research interests include traumatic brain injury, trauma, suicide, and the social-emotional needs of children and adolescents.
Tyler is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his doctoral training at Florida State University, his doctoral internship at the University of Virginia, and his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Christina Colgary is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program at Florida State University. She is from New Jersey and received her B.S. in Psychology at Saint Joseph’s University and her M.S. in Experimental Psychology at Seton Hall University. Her clinical and research interests include disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction, suicide prevention, and mindfulness. She also loves spending time on the soccer field!
Brandon T. Cooper (“Coop”) is a 1st year doctoral student at Florida State University in the Combined Counseling Psychology and School Psychology program. Coop received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology from The Ohio State University in 2010. In 2012, he received his master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He is currently working on completing his master’s thesis towards a master’s degree in Sport Psychology at Florida State University.
Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (in press). College Adjustment and Maladjustment. In Israeliashvili, M. (Ed.), Prevention of Maladjustment to Lifecourse Transitions (47 pages). Springer Nature.
Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Zhang, Q., & Konopa, J. (2022). An Examination of a Cognitive Dissonance Body Image and Health Intervention for the College Classroom. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion, OnlineFirst, 33. doi:10.1177/26320770221111759
Romano, J., Israelashvili, J., Swanbrow Becker, M., & Israelashvili, M. (2022). COVID-19 Prevention: Global Research Study of Relevance to Psychology and Health. International Perspectives in Psychology, 11(2), 112-124. doi:10.1027/2157-3891/a000039
Swanbrow Becker, M. (Author). (2021, February). Educators are key in protecting student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic [Blog Post]. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2021/02/24/educators-are-key-in-protecting-student-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (2020, January). The mental health crisis on campus and how colleges can fix it. The Conversation, 1. http://theconversation.com/the-mental-health-crisis-on-campus-and-how-colleges-can-fix-it-127875
Chow, G., Bird, M., Gabana, N., Cooper, B., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (2020). A Program to Reduce Stigma Toward Mental Illness and Promote Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Student-Athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1-21. doi:10.1123/jcsp.2019-0104
Swanbrow Becker, M. (2019). Supporting Transgender College Students on University and College Campuses. University and College Counseling, 7(3), 22-27.
Schelbe, L., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Spinelli, C., & McCray, D. (2019). First Generation College Students' Perceptions of an Academic Retention Program. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 19(5), 34.
Romano, K., Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M., & Magnuson, A. (2019). Prevention of Shape and Weight Concerns among College Students: An Examination of Education Status Variables. Journal of American College Health, 67(5), 449-458. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1486319 doi:10.1080/07448481.2018.1486319
McLean, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (2018). Bridging the Gap: Connecting RAs and Suicidal Residents Through Gatekeeper Training. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 48(2), 218-229. doi:10.1111/sltb.12348
Romano, K., Swanbrow Becker, M., Colgary, C., & Magnuson, A. (2018). Helpful or Harmful? The comparative value of self-weighing and calorie counting vs. intuitive eating on the eating disorder symptomology of college students. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity, 23, 841-848. doi:10.1007/s40519-018-0562-6
Swanbrow Becker, M., Dong, S., Kronholz, J., & Brownson, C. (2018). Relationship Between Stress and Psychosocial Factors with Sources of Help Seeking among International Students. Journal of International Students, 8(4), 1636-1661. doi:10.5281/zenodo.1468064
Branagan, W. T., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (2018). Therapist Directiveness and Client Reactance in the Administration of Homework in Therapy with College Students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 32(3), 251-266. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/NaBkYs4zu5gMmVtXh7Yw/full doi:10.1080/87568225.2017.1400299
Canto, A., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Cox, B., Hayden, S., & Osborn, D. (2017). College students in crisis: Identification, response options, and prevention for residence life professionals. Journal of College and University Student Housing, 43(2), 44-57.
Swanbrow Becker, M., Blankenship, A. P., Melo, K., Spencer, K., Thomas, C., McLean, K., & Singer, H. (2017). Improving Resident Assistant Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Through Focus Group Feedback. College Student Affairs Journal, 35(2), 117-130. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/676819 doi:10.1353/csj.2017.0017
Swanbrow Becker, M., Schelbe, L., Romano, K., & Spinelli, C. (2017). Promoting First-Generation College Students' Mental Health: Student Perceptions of an Academic Enrichment Program. Journal of College Student Development, 58, 1166-1183. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/678952/pdf doi:10.1353/csd.2017.0092
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Nemeth Roberts, S., Ritts, S., Branagan, W. T., Warner, A., & Clark, S. (2017). Supporting Transgender College Students: Implications for Clinical Intervention and Campus Prevention. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 31, 155-176. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/87568225.2016.1253441 doi:10.1080/87568225.2016.1253441
Thomas, C., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (2017). What's Stopping the Connection? Examining How Resident Assistant Demographics and Experience Create Barriers to Intervening with Residents in Distress. Prevention and Health Promotion: Research, Practice and Training, 10, 4-13. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/356369672/php-spring-2017#download&from_embed
Swanbrow Becker, M. (Author). (2017, June). Why Schools Need To Step Up Their Suicide Prevention Efforts [Blog Post]. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2017/06/08/why-schools-need-to-step-up-suicide-prevention-efforts/
Brownson, C., Drum, D., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Saathoff, A., & Hentschel, E. (2016). Distress and suicidality in higher education: Implications for population-oriented paradigms. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 30(2), 98-113. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2016.1140978 doi:10.1080/87568225.2016.1140978
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., & Drum, D. J. (2015). The influence of suicide prevention gatekeeper training on Resident Assistants' Mental Health. Journal of Student Affairs, Research and Practice, 52(1), 76-88. doi:10.1080/19496591.2015.996055
Members of our Suicide Prevention Research Team have presented at many professional conferences, at the local, national, and international levels.
Yin, Z., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., & Chiarodit, D. (accepted). Suggestion for Culturally Tailored Suicide Prevention: A reflection on Online Suicide Notes Between Chinese and English posts. Poster presentation to be given at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tampa, Fl. (State)
Chiarodit, D., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., & Yin, Z. (accepted). The Influence of Social Connectedness and Sense of Belonging on Help-Seeking and Help-Giving Behaviors Among College Students. Poster presentation to be given at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tampa, Fl. (State)
Kinnamon, K., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., & Konopa, J. (presented 2022, August). Cultivating Social Connection and Support on College Campuses: During and Beyond the Pandemic. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN. (National)
Sherman, L., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Yoon, E., & Reid Marks, L. (presented 2022, August). Examining Evidence-Based Counseling Interventions for People Who Identify as Transgender. Poster presentation at 2022 Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (presented 2022, July). Coping with Student Mental Health Needs. Presentation at The 75th Annual National Seminar, Education Writers Association, Orlando, FL. (National).
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Larkin, H., Albury, J., & Krentz, V. (presented 2022, April). Levels of Social Connectedness Among Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Chicago, IL. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Albury, J., Larkin, H., & Garrett, S. (presented 2022, April). Fostering Social Connection to Support Help-Seeking Among First-Year College Students. Paper presented at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Chicago, IL. (National).
Krentz, V., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Larkin, H., & Albury, J. (presented 2022, February). Investigating the Relationship Between Academic Program Involvement and Social Connectedness Among Students During COVID-19. Presentation at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tampa, Fl. (State)
Albury, J., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Krentz, V., & Larkin, H. (presented 2022, February). The Impact of Perceived Social Support, Social Connectedness, and Campus Connection upon Collegiate Level Students' Well-Being and Mental Health. Presentation at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tampa, Fl. (State)
Cooper, B., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Miller, H., Knoeppel, C., & Konopa, J. (presented 2021, April). An Exploration of Trauma and Suicidal Experiences among Transgender and LGB College Students. Presentation at 2021 Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Orlando, FL. (National)
Miller, H., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Fisher, A., Garrett, S., Dillon, K., & Cooper, B. (presented 2021, April). Collaborating on Campus in the Prevention of Suicide: A Case Study. Poster presentation at 2021 Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Orlando, FL. (National)
Fisher, A., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., & Knoeppel, C. (presented 2021, April). The Call to Future Leaders within ROTC Programs – The Importance of Implementing Mental Health Programs in ROTC and the Effect on Command Climates in the Future. Presentation at 2021 Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Orlando, FL. (National)
Rojas, A., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Chandler, G., Worts, P., Patillo, E., Knoeppel, C., & Flynn, H. (accepted). Opportunities for Behavioral Health Navigation in Pain Management. Presentation to be given at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (National). (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Cooper, B., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Knoeppel, C., Miller, H., & Konopa, J. (accepted). Rates of Transgender College Students Experiences and Means of Support. Poster presentation to be given at 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, APA Division on Counseling Psychology, New Orleans, LA. (National). (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Knoeppel, C., Cooper, B., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (accepted). Strength in their own words: First generation students' well-being and resilience in college. Poster presentation to be given at 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, APA Division on Counseling Psychology, New Orleans, LA. (National). (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Cooper, B., Knoeppel, C., Konopa, J., & Miller, H. (accepted). Supporting Transgender College Students: Implications for Clinical Intervention & Campus Prevention. Presentation to be given at 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, APA Division on Counseling Psychology, New Orleans, LA. (National). (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Fisher, A., Dillon, K., & Miller, H. (accepted). Working Together: How Counseling Psychologists Can Engage a Campus in Suicide Prevention. Presentation to be given at 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, APA Division on Counseling Psychology, New Orleans, LA. (National). (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Konopa. J., Miller, H., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (presented 2020, February). Applying Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training on a College Campus. Presentation at 2020 Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahassee, FL. (State)
Miller, H., Konopa. J., Knoeppel, C., Eto. O., Desorcy, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (presented 2020, February). The Florida State University Resiliency Project: Building Stronger Students. Presentation at 2020 Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahassee, FL. (State)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Fisher, A., Carbonell, D., Knoeppel, C., & Crenshaw, E. (presented 2019, August). Do students feel like they belong and are supported: The likelihood of help-seeking behaviors. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (National)
Knoeppel, C., Swanbrow Becker, M., & Christensen, K. (presented 2019, August). Early Detection and Help-Seeking for Resident Mental Health Needs: Improving Barrier Identification. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (National)
Dillon, K., Colgary, C., Knoeppel, C., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2019, August). Screening for self-harm: The connection between disordered eating and self-injury in college students. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. (National)
Colgary, C., Knoeppel, C., Dillon, K., Rojas, A., Magnuson, A., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2019, April). "A Touch of Anorexia:" The Gray Area Between Disordered Eating and Suicidal Behavior. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Denver, Co. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Fisher, A., Carbonell, D., & Crenshaw, E. (presented 2019, April). Resident Assistants' Gatekeeper Performance – Are They Better in Living Learning Communities? Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Denver, CO. (National)
Carbonell, D., Fisher, A., Knoeppel, C., Colgary, C., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2019, April). The Impact of Sense of Coherence on College Student Suicidal Ideation and Help-Seeking Intentions. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Denver, CO. (National)
Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Romano, K., & Magnusion, A. (presented 2018, August). Eating Disorder Stigma Informs Prevention Gatekeeper Trainings. Poster presentation at 2018 Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Owens, S., & Carbonell, D. (presented 2018, August). Promoting Suicide Prevention: Improving Willingness to Intervene and Role Clarity. Poster presentation at 2018 Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. (National)
Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M., Owens, S., Knoeppel, C., & Magnuson, A. (presented 2018, August). Self-Injury: Developing Targeted Community and Prevention Programs for College Students. Poster presentation at 2018 Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Knoeppel, C., Christensen, K., & Carbonell, D. (presented 2018, April). Do resident assistants accurately perceive resident barriers to help-seeking? Poster presentation at Annual Convention, American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC. (National)
Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M., Spannring, J., Christensen, K., Morpeth, E., Knoeppel, C., & Magnuson, A. (presented 2018, April). Helpful or harmful? College student experiences that protect against suicidal and self-injurious behavior. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Owens, S., Carbonell, D., & Morpeth, E. (presented 2018, April). Role Responsibility, Competency, and Willingness to Intervene with Suicidal Residents. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Washington, DC. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Owens, S., Knoeppel, C., Cooper, B., & Christensen, K. (presented 2018, February). Advanced suicide prevention training - how we train returning resident assistants. Presentation at 2018 Third Annual Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention Mini-Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahasse, FL. (State)
Golembe, J., Selice, L., Mora-Ozuna, C., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2018). Suicide Attempts and Completion in Families: A Family Systems Perspective. Poster presentation at FMHCA Annual Conference, Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, Florida. (State)
2019 52nd AAS Conference in Denver, CO
Present, but not pictured: Diana Carbonell
2019 APA Conference in Chicago, IL
Present, but not pictured: Kelly Dillon, Jungyeong Heo
2018 APA Convention in San Francisco, CA
2018 AAS Conference in Washington, D.C.
American Association of Suicidology 2017 Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ
Florida Association of School Social Workers 2017 Annual Conference, Daytona Beach, FL.
American Association for Suicidology 2017 Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ.
American Psychological Association 2017 Annual Convention, Washington, D.C.
Some of our students meeting with Kevin Hines at the AAS Annual Convention, 2016. To learn more about Kevin Hines check out his amazing story: http://www.kevinhinesstory.com
American Association for Suicidology (AAS) Annual Convention, 2016, Chicago, IL
American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, 2015, Toronto, Canada
Swanbrow Becker, M., Carbonell, D., & Owens, S. (2017, October). Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention Support to Improve Mental Health among Students and Staff. Workshop delivered at Florida Association of School Social Workers Annual Conference, Daytona Beach, Florida. (State)
Colgary, C., Romano, K., Magnuson, A., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2017, August). Men in post-secondary education: Attributes of intuitive eating and predictors of eating pathology. Poster presentation at American Psychological Association Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Colgary, C., McLean, K., Carbonell, D., & Morpeth, E. (presented 2017, August). Improving suicide prevention training through continuous learning and the power of community. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (National)
Christensen, K., Carbonell, D., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2017, April). Resident Outcomes of Resident Assistant Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training: Implications for Future Interventions. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Phoenix, AZ. (National)
Colgary, C., Swanbrow Becker, M., McLean, K., Gonzalez, D., Owens, S., & Morpeth, E. (presented 2017, April). The future of gatekeeper training: Shifting to continuous and experiential suicide prevention gatekeeper training. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Phoenix, AZ. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Colgary, C., & McLean, K. (presented 2017, April). Staying Connected: How Living Environment Influences Mental Health and Communication Between Resident Assistant Gatekeepers and Students on College Campuses. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Phoenix, AZ. (National)
Christensen, K. & Swanbrow Becker, M. (2016, February). Preventing Suicide on Campus: Training Resident Assistants as Gatekeepers. Poster presented at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Tampa, FL. (State)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Owens, S., Cooper, B., & Morpeth, E. (presented 2017, January). Improving Suicide Prevention Training among Resident Assistants in a College Setting. Presentation at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahassee, FL. (State)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Spannring, J., Carbonell, D., & Colgary, C. (presented 2017, January). Bringing Suicide Prevention to Academic Departments at FSU. Presentation at Florida Taking Action for Suicide Prevention Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahassee, FL. (State)
Blankenship, P., Melo, K., Spencer, K., Thomas, C., McLean, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2016, August). Connecting a College Campus: Qualitative Feedback from RA Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training. Poster presentation at American Psychological Association, Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Denver, CO. (National)
McLean, K. M., Pulido, A., & Swanbrow Becker, M. A. (presented 2016, August). Facilitating college mental health: Why resident hall type matters. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Denver, CO. (National)
Blankenship, A. P., & Canto, A. I., (2016, August). Traumatic brain injuries and special education services in the schools. Poster presentation at American Psychological Association (APA), Annual convention, Denver, CO. (International)
Ritts, S.M., Swanbrow Becker, M., & Freeman V.F. (2016, April). The Impact of Social Perception on Student Stress and Coping. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of Council on Research in Education for the College of Education at the Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (Local)
Melo, K., Swanbrow Becker, M., Blankenship, P., & Thomas, C. (presented 2016, April). Assessing the Effectiveness of Gatekeeper Training in Preparing Resident Assistants to Identify and Intervene with Suicidal Students through Focus Group Feedback. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Chicago, IL. (National)
Melo, K., Swanbrow Becker, M., Blankenship, A. P., Spencer, K., Thomas, C., McLean, K. E., (2016, April). Assessing the effectiveness of gatekeeper training in preparing resident assistants to identify and intervene with suicidal residents through focus group feedback. Poster presentation at the Marvalene Hughes Research in Education (CORE) Conference, Tallahassee, FL. (Local)
Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2016, January). Reducing Suicide and Increasing Well-Being: A Shifting Paradigm. Presentation at Florida Taking Action For Suicide Prevention Conference, Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, Tallahassee, FL. (State)
Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, October). Reducing emotional problems in college by increasing psychological well-being: A shifting paradigm. In Professor Rik Gosselink (Chair), Mental health promotion in college : a sustainable investment in the future. Presentation at the meeting of KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. (International)
Christensen, K., Melo, K., Spencer, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, August). The Impact of Resident Assistant Training on Student Help Seeking. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Toronto, CA. (International)
Ritts, S., Swanbrow Becker, M. (Chair), & Freeman, V. (presented 2015, August). The Impact of Social Perception on Student Stress and Coping. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada. (International)
Thomas, C., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, August). Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training for Resident Assistants: A Between Groups Control Design Study. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Toronto, CA. (International)
Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, April). Distress and suicidality in higher education: Implications for population-oriented prevention paradigms. In Patel, A. & Bagge, C. B. (Chairs), Risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior among college students. Symposium to be presented at the 48th annual meeting of the American Association of Suicidology. Atlanta, GA. Paper presented at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Atlanta, GA. (National)
McLean, K., Spencer, K., Melo, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, April). Bridging the Gap: An Analysis of Resident Assistant Suicide Prevention Training to Connect University RAs and Suicidal Student Residents. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Atlanta, GA. (National)
Thomas, C., Christensen, K., Moussly, T., Eastman, P., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (presented 2015, April). What’s Stopping the Connection?: A Qualitative Examination of Barriers Impacting Resident Assistants’ Decision to Provide Help to Residents on a College Campus. Poster presentation at Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Atlanta, GA. (National)
Nemeth, S., Swanbrow Becker, M., Branagan, T., Warner, A., Ritts, S., & Clark, S.L. (2015, April). Supporting Transgender College Students: Implications for Clinical Intervention and Campus Prevention. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of Council on Research in Education for the College of Education at the Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (Local)
Thomas, C., Eastman, P., Moussly, T., Christensen, K., & Swanbrow Becker, M. (2015, April). What’s stopping the connection? A qualitative examination of barriers impacting resident assistants’ decisions to provide help to students on a college campus. Poster presented at the Council on Research in Education (CORE) Conference, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. (Local)
Christensen, K. & Swanbrow Becker, M. (2015, March). Connection on Campus: Helping Resident Assistants Prevent Student Suicide. Presented at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. (Local)
Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Nemeth, S. F., Branagan, W. T., Ritts, S. M., & Clark, S. L. (presented 2014, August). Supporting Transgender College Students: Implications for Intervention and Campus Prevention. Presentation at Annual Conference, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., & Wong, J. (presented 2014, August). A Mediation Model of Professional Psychological Help Seeking for Suicide Ideation Among Asian American and White American College Students. Presentation at Asian American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Asian American Psychological Association, Washington, DC. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Blankenship, A. P., Ritts, S., Nemeth Roberts, S., & Branagan, T. (2014, April). The Impact of Training on Resident and Resident Assistants’ Health.Workshop at the Annual Conference, American Association of Suicidology, Atlanta, GA. (National)
Swanbrow Becker, M., Blankenship, A. P., Ritts, S., Nemeth Roberts, S., & Branagan, T. (2014, April). The Impact of Training on Resident and Resident Assistants’ Health.Paper Presentation at the Marvalene Hughes Research in Education (CORE) Conference, Tallahassee, FL. (Local)
Nemeth, S. F., Swanbrow Becker, M. A., Branagan, W. T., Warner, A., Ritts, S. M., & Clark, S. L. (presented 2014, March). Research Supporting Transgender College Students and Campus Prevention. Presentation at Trans*Literate Conference, Gay and Lesbian Affirmative Psychotherapy Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, New York. (National)
The Suicide Prevention Research Team also works to spread awareness and reduce stigma throughout the community.
Our team developed a suicide prevention presentation for students and staff at a local 6th-12th grade school. This presentation was created in response to the school’s particular needs. After a successful presentation in 2014, we were asked to return in 2015.
Team Members after a school presentation in 2015
Dr. Swanbrow Becker serves as part of the Healthy Campus Mental Health Advisory Team. Research team members also attend Advisory Team meetings and contribute as needed.
As a team, we have been collaborating with other departments and organizations at Florida State University, in order to enhance campus resident assistant (RA) training. Through this ongoing project, we have collaborated with FSU Housing and the University Counseling Center and assisted in developing and researching gatekeeping training for RAs to better help residents in distress.
In 2015, we were awarded a three year Campus Suicide Prevention grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our project called “Noles CARE in Academics” aims to enhance existing campus suicide prevention interventions by providing more accessible resources to academic departments across the FSU campus. We will accomplish our goals by training faculty, staff, and students within FSU’s academic departments to localize sources of support in the learning environment of students, and to encourage early detection of student distress and referrals for professional help. Through this project, we hope to make suicide prevention resources more available to our campus community of over 41,000 students and over 14,000 employees. In particular, we will incorporate specific components into our training that addresses high-risk groups such as members of the LGBTQ community, those identifying as racial or ethnic minorities, and veterans.
Our team developed a suicide prevention presentation for the campus students at a Church of Christ in Tallahassee, FL. Many middle aged couples also attended. Numerous individuals approached our team afterwards to tell us about personal ways they have been touched by suicide and how thankful they are for our team’s desire to educate on suicide prevention and advocate for decreasing the stigma of mental health issues.
Active Minds
Members of our research team started this organization at FSU as a graduate student leadership group. This is a multi-disciplinary mental health advocacy group that is working towards building bridges between students and student organizations and decreasing the stigma around mental health problems. Additionally, this team is a support resource for the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at FSU, Jaymee Spannring. This team is working on fundraising for advocacy events, exploring potential grants for increasing mental health services in the area, community outreach, and partnering with other organizations to increase mental health awareness.
Dr. Martin Swanbrow Becker, Associate Professor
Florida State University College of Education
Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
3210 Stone Building
1114 West Call Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4301
