SPI Postdoctoral Fellowship
The postdoctoral fellowship was developed to train clinical and counseling psychologists to become suicidologists with competency and confidence in assessment, prevention, and intervention of suicide.

Program Overview
This program trains postdoctoral fellows to implement novel and effective prevention efforts in North Carolina communities. Their work spans all age groups, across the range of suicidal behaviors, and across people of all backgrounds in all areas of the state. The fellows are able to focus efforts on groups that data show face higher risks for suicide. Fellows also engage in research projects and programs related to suicide and suicide prevention.

Program Impact
Many communities in North Carolina need more capacity in order to address their specific needs around suicide prevention. This program trains clinicians who can implement actionable, effective, local-level strategies and interventions. Fellows have the opportunity to cycle through several clinical rotations throughout UNC Health, such as Acute Telepsychiatry (ATS), Inpatient Crisis Stabilization, First Approach Response Skills Training (FAST), Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC), and Coping with Long Term Active Suicide Program (CLASP). Fellows also partner with research mentors within SPI to support ongoing efforts or establish an independent, programmatic line of research.
- In its first year, the program placed three fellows in clinical settings that allow for excellent training in preventing suicide in inpatient, outpatient, and community clinics.
- Fellows contribute to building critical relationships with clinics that allow for more integrated multidisciplinary care.
- Fellows contribute to research that builds the evidence base for suicide prevention and intervention for vulnerable segments of the North Carolina population.
- The program has a major footprint at UNC Health, UNC School of Medicine, and on the UNC Campus. Through the Carolina Across 100, fellows work with community teams from across the state.
