Sign-ups are being taken for Feb. 26 and March 5 sessions of training for staff, faculty and teaching assistants to assist them in their roles as “gatekeepers” — those who are on the front lines of hearing from students about mental health.

Offered as part of a study sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, free Gatekeeper Training provides skills and knowledge “to comfortably and confidently speak with students about mental health concerns and refer them to appropriate mental health resources.”

The term “gatekeeper” derives from the fact that TAs, faculty and staff often serve as students’ gateways to help.

Here is the upcoming schedule (all sessions to be held at the Student Health and Wellness Center on the Davis campus):

• Wednesday, Feb. 26 — 10 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, Feb. 26 — 2-4 p.m.
• Thursday, March 5 — 2-4 p.m.

If you and-or your department are interested in a training, send an email to the study team, specifying one training date and time. In return, you will receive an email from “Support UCD Wellness Study” with the subject line, “Invitation to a UC Davis Pilot Study of Training to Support Student Mental Health,” and instructions for completing a pretraining questionnaire.

For more information, contact Professor Carolyn Dewa by email.

Focus on educational materials

The Healthy UC Davis Smoke and Tobacco Free Work Group is seeking faculty and staff members to be part of a focus group on e-cigarette and vaping educational materials.

The group will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in Conference Room Main 1, third floor, Student Health and Wellness Center.

Sign up here or send an email to Janet Ramirez. Organizers said $10 Peet’s gift cards and other swag will be provided for all participants.

A student focus group will meet a week later.

More about Healthy UC Davis.

Follow Dateline UC Davis on Twitter.