Who will be the first responder for a student in crisis?

On January 15, 2026, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University launched practice-oriented workshops for academic advisors and curators as part of the Winter Psychological School. The workshops focused on the prevention of suicidal behavior in the student population and on strengthening resilience through stress-coping strategies.

The program was developed based on the results of grant-funded research conducted by the department, ensuring strong empirical grounding and precise adaptation to real-life student contexts. Participants were provided with key support tools, including early identification of crisis signs and suicide risk, initial supportive communication without increasing risk, and a clear action algorithm with timely referral to specialized professionals while maintaining psychological safety and professional responsibility.

The program was implemented in collaboration with Partners In Health. More than 50 staff members from all faculties of the university participated, including deputy deans for student affairs, academic advisors and curators, faculty members, and in-house psychologists. According to the final feedback, participants particularly emphasized the program’s practical value, the clarity of the algorithms, and their readiness to immediately apply the tools in their daily work with students.