Dr. Rob Cramer, Associate Director of Training & Education at the VPC, recently served as a visiting scholar at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. During his visit, he delivered two colloquia—at Griffith University and the University of Melbourne—on suicide prevention training for mental health providers and military personnel. This visit marks the beginning of an exciting multi-country collaboration aimed at developing competency-based measures and training for suicide prevention.

Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was interviewed by the Associated Press to discuss the use of solitary confinement with youth. In the article, Dr. Alexander provides critical insights into the psychological and developmental impacts of this practice and advocates for more humane approaches to juvenile detention.

Read the full interview here.

The UNC Charlotte Division of Research has made bold new investments in innovation by awarding funding and institutional support to 14 centers and pilot centers through the Ignite Centers initiative. The UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center (VPC) is proud to be among the selected recipients, marking an exciting milestone in advancing our mission.

Dr. Rob Cramer, Associate Director of Training & Education at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in the Greensboro News & Record to discuss the critical issue of suicide prevention on college campuses. In the article, Dr. Cramer highlights the importance of mental health resources, early intervention, and campus-wide strategies to address the mental health needs of students. His expertise sheds light on actionable steps colleges can take to foster a supportive environment.

Read the full article here.

Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was interviewed by the Associated Press about several tragic incidents of gun violence that occurred this January. Dr. Alexander provided expert analysis on the societal and contextual factors contributing to these events and emphasized the importance of comprehensive violence prevention strategies to address this ongoing crisis.

Read the full article here.