Life Skills Integration and Flourishing Education (LIFE): A Suicide Prevention Program

Abstract

Implementing university-wide suicide prevention methods is crucial for effectively working towards the ultimate objective of reducing suicide rates and preventing possible suicide-related fatalities. Implementing suicide prevention strategies in a supportive setting like a school has significant potential to enhance the understanding, beliefs, and willingness to seek assistance among young individuals (Robinson, Yuen, et al., 2011). The objective of this study was to create a program that seeks to offer promotion and preventive initiatives to effectively target a wide variety of risk variables and devise techniques to enhance protective factors, therefore reducing the likelihood of suicide attempts among college students. A needs and asset evaluation were undertaken throughout the development of the proposed intervention program to provide evidence of its usefulness to the targeted participants, who are college students enrolled in an academic institution. The curriculum was developed using the concept of the experiential learning cycle. This program development study resulted in the creation of a four-session curriculum that can be delivered through both in-person and online methods. The LIFE program is designed to address the specific needs of students by focusing on fundamental principles that enhance their psychosocial abilities and interpersonal aptitude. This program hopes to equip participants with the necessary tools to make informed choices, solve problems, engage in critical and creative thinking, communicate proficiently, foster positive relationships, demonstrate empathy towards others, and effectively manage their lives in a healthy and productive manner. This program could be implemented on a trial basis to evaluate its efficacy.