School‐Wide Staff and Faculty Training in Suicide Risk Awareness: Successes and Challenges

Abstract

Rates of youth suicide and suicidal behavior remain high despite prevention efforts. Training high school personnel as gatekeepers is an important strategy. Training was implemented in a school district's five comprehensive high schools. Surveys were conducted before and after training sessions, which targeted all adults working at the high school. Two hundred thirty-seven individuals completed the pretest and/or posttest. Participants reported gains in knowledge, confidence, and feelings of competence in recognizing, approaching, and connecting distressed youth to school-based resources. Training was well received. Training is acceptable and appropriate for school personnel. Increasing the number of school personnel who participate in the training is challenging.