Suicide Prevention Training Program Research Articles

Youth Suicide Prevention Programming among the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: Effects of the Lifelines Student Curriculum.

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of mortality for young people. Given persistent intersecting forms of disadvantage, Native American adolescents are especially vulnerable to mental health adversities and other suicide risk factors. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) implemented the Choctaw Youth Resilience Initiative (CYRI), a five-year SAMHSA-funded project that began in 2019. This study uses Choctaw student pre-test/post-test survey data to examine the effectiveness of the Hazelden Lifelines Suicide Prevention Training curriculum for youth. A lagged post-test design was used, whereby post-surveys were administered at least one month after program completion. Several intriguing results were observed. First, the lagged post-test model was subject to some pre-to-post attrition, although such attrition was comparable to a standard pre/post design. Second, analyses of completed surveys using means indicated various beneficial effects associated with the Lifelines curriculum implementation. The greatest benefit of the program was a significant change in student perceptions concerning school readiness in response to a suicidal event. Some opportunities for program improvement were also observed. Our study sheds new light on suicide prevention training programs that can be adapted according to Native American youth culture. Program implementation and evaluation implications are discussed in light of these findings.

Examining Individual and Service Delivery Context Variables and Their Association with the Effectiveness of QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training.

Suicide prevention training programs have spread rapidly within child and public-serving organizations, due to the alarming increase in youth suicide rates. Yet, within these organizations, roles and responsibilities can shape attitudes and intentions related to suicide prevention, thereby influencing the uptake of prevention efforts. As such, various organizational and individual factors can predict uptake, adoption, and maintenance of prevention efforts (Fixsen et al., 2005). To date, few studies have examined the service delivery context in understanding training effectiveness, especially as it relates to QPR (Question Persuade and Refer), one of the most widely disseminated suicide prevention gatekeeper programs. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate whether individual and organizational characteristics influenced the effectiveness and sustainability of training outcomes, and whether such differences existed among diverse child and public-serving delivery sectors. Several training outcomes that align with the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) were examined, including confidence, attitudes, social norms, and suicide prevention behaviors. Measures were assessed prior to and 90 days after the QPR program among a sample of 858 professionals. Community support personnel uniquely showed improvements on social norms while juvenile justice and child welfare workers engaged in more suicide prevention behaviors post training. While trainees across sectors had improved suicide prevention attitudes, law enforcement personnel were the exception. Organizational climate predicted change in suicide prevention attitudes, confidence, and social norms. Trainees who were older, Latinx, and Black had the most improvement on several training outcome variables, but these findings also varied within service sectors.

Effectiveness of suicide prevention gatekeeper training: 12-month follow-up of SafeTALK training to community members.

Long-term assessments of gatekeeper training (GKT) with multiple follow-ups are rare. Therefore, the aim of the current analysis is to examine 12-month follow-up outcomes of SafeTALK training in addition to the earlier analysis of pre-, post-, and 6-month follow-up. Two hundred and sixty two community volunteers participated in half-day (4-h) gatekeeper training sessions. Before, after, and 6- and 12-month follow-up surveys were used to assess participants' knowledge, efficacy, and reluctance to intervene. Linear mixed effects regression was used in statistical analysis. Fifty six participants (21.4%) completed the 12-month follow-up, representing an attrition rate of 78.6% from pre-test. Linear mixed model analysis revealed a significant, consistent effect for time for knowledge, efficacy, and reluctance. Post-hoc testing revealed significant differences between scores at pre-test and 12-month follow-up for GK knowledge and efficacy; however, no significant difference was seen between these time points for reluctance to intervene. No significant change was measured between the 6 and 12 months for any outcomes. GK knowledge and efficacy remained significantly above pre-test scores. The evaluation of the GKT demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of community-based suicide prevention training programs to improve and maintain GK knowledge and efficacy.

Suicide Prevention Training in the Anti-Human Trafficking Sector: An Evaluation Study

ABSTRACT Human trafficking survivors report high rates of suicidal ideation and behavior. However, limited training on suicide prevention among anti-human trafficking service providers, stigma, low utilization rates of mental health services, and lack of evidence-based, culturally-congruent interventions create barriers for survivors in receiving needed support. Prior research has identified capacity building in suicide prevention as a critical priority in the anti-trafficking sector. Yet, limited research has been conducted regarding the effectiveness of training programs. In this study, we evaluate a 14-week multi-modal suicide prevention training program, the Suicide Learning Sessions (SLS) series, which was implemented with service providers at an anti-trafficking nongovernmental organization in the Philippines. We analyzed qualitative data from focus group discussions and open-ended surveys to understand practitioners’ experiences in this training program and its impact upon their ongoing work with survivors (n = 12). Themes included: decreasing stigma and misconceptions, practical skill development, grounding and structure, benefits of multi-modal training, reduced fear and dread, and lessening emotional burdens. We conclude with recommendations for developing the capacity of anti-human trafficking service providers, particularly those who are non-mental health professionals, in suicide prevention and intervention.

Suicide Response in American Muslim Communities: A Community Case Study

This community case study describes the experiences of two neighboring Muslim communities in the United States, following respective incidents of suicide. Case summaries are first presented to contextualize the community response to the suicides. Subsequently, the discussion highlights relevant cultural and religious factors that impacted the responses of mosque leadership, mental health professionals, and the communities at large. Concerns related to the deceased’s afterlife, community connectedness, privacy, shame, and communication barriers were prominent in each case and shaped the courses of response. The COVID-19 pandemic and divergent responses to external support played significant roles in creating disparate outcomes in these communities. The discussion emphasizes the need for dissemination of evidence-based, religiously grounded, and culturally competent curricula for implementing mental health awareness programming and long-term suicide prevention efforts. Insights about cultural and religious factors influencing community responses were derived from the described cases in this paper and informed the development of a comprehensive suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention manual and training program tailored for Muslim communities.

Pharmacists’ Experiences, Perceptions, and Attitudes towards Suicide and Suicide Prevention: A Scoping Review

It is important to understand pharmacists' experiences, stigmas, trainings, and attitudes to suicide, as they can affect the way pharmacists interact with at-risk individuals and influence outcomes. The aim of this scoping review is to explore pharmacists' willingness, experiences, and attitudes towards suicide prevention, as well as to examine the impact of suicide prevention training programs. A systemic search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies included were from database inception to 31 August 2022, in English, with full-text available. A total of 13 studies were included. Training was a key factor which had an impact on pharmacists' attitudes, experiences, and preparedness to participate in suicide care, with studies revealing the lack of training and the call for more training by pharmacists. Another key factor was closeness to mental illness, which also impacted pharmacists' attitudes and experiences with at-risk patients. More research is needed worldwide to understand the different barriers and facilitators to pharmacist involvement in suicide care. Targeted training programs should also be developed to not only increase knowledge and competence, but also to address stigma related to suicide.

Effectiveness of online advanced C.A.R.E suicide prevention gatekeeper training program among healthcare lecturers and workers in national university of Malaysia: A pilot study.

Suicide is a major cause of death among adolescents and young adults, especially students. This is particularly true for healthcare students with a higher risk and more access to lethal means. Thus, it is vital for healthcare educators who have regular contact with these healthcare students to be trained as gatekeepers in preventing suicide. Evidence of the effectiveness of such gatekeeper training, mainly using an online module, is lacking predominantly in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an online gatekeeper suicide prevention training program that is conducted for healthcare lecturers. A single-arm interventional pre-and post-pilot study was conducted on a sample of healthcare lecturers and workers who are involved in supervising healthcare students. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 50 healthcare educators in Malaysia. The program was conducted by trained facilitators and 31 participants completed a locally validated self-rated questionnaire to measure their self-efficacy and declarative knowledge in preventing suicide; immediately before and after the intervention. Significant improvement was seen in the overall outcome following the intervention, mostly in the self-efficacy domain. No significant improvement was seen in the domain of declarative knowledge possibly due to ceiling effects; an already high baseline knowledge about suicide among healthcare workers. This is an exception in a single item that assesses a common misperception in assessing suicide risk where significant improvement was seen following the program. The online Advanced C.A.R.E. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program is promising in the short-term overall improvement in suicide prevention, primarily in self-efficacy.

A Study on the Effects of a Jeollabuk-do Suicide Prevention Training Program for Professional Gatekeeper Instructors

A Study on the Effects of a Jeollabuk-do Suicide Prevention Training Program for Professional Gatekeeper Instructors

Evaluating an Agricultural Community Suicide Prevention Program: Instrumentation and Impact

Highlights This paper details an evaluation of a piloted community-based farmer suicide prevention training program using a revised Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire. Indicating program utility and impact, willingness to intervene with a person in crisis increased by 0.21 logits (p<0.01) in program participants who completed pre- and post-training surveys. A comparison of growth in the willingness to intervene variable across participant demographics and characteristics revealed a change of 0.43 logits among males, compared to 0.096 for females (p=0.059). Researchers recommend that the program be tailored to consider gender differences. Abstract. In this study, researchers detail an evaluation of a pilot community-based farmer suicide prevention program that used QPR-based training customized for the agricultural community. Community-based mental health programs have been cited as key to addressing the worldwide suicide rate, but evidence of their execution and utility is not well documented, particularly within the agricultural community context. Researchers used Kirkpatrick's (1998) training evaluation model and a pre-post one-group design (Eseryel, 2002) of consenting training participants to conduct a preliminary assessment of programmatic impact. Using a revised Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire (Aldrich et al., 2014), which treated the questionnaire as an interval level scale suitable for parametric analysis, researchers found statistically significant differences in pre-training willingness to intervene between male and female respondents as well as those who work in agriculture and those who do not. An analysis of those respondents who completed both pre- and post-training surveys indicated statistically significant growth of 0.21 logits in the willingness to intervene variable, as well as remarkable growth for male participants in comparison to female participants. Keywords: . Evaluation of suicide prevention program, Farmer suicide prevention, Rasch analysis, Willingness to intervene.

Parent Education for Responding to and Supporting Youth with Suicidal Thoughts (PERSYST): An Evaluation of an Online Gatekeeper Training Program with Australian Parents.

The gatekeeper training of parents is a promising approach for suicide prevention in young people, but little research has addressed the effectiveness of such training, especially using online delivery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the delivery of an online suicide prevention training program, LivingWorks Start, to improve the capacity of parents to support young people at risk of suicide. The participants were 127 parents of young people aged 12–25 who completed the LivingWorks Start training and consented to participate in the evaluation. The participants completed online surveys before, after, and 3 months after training. The participants showed increases in perceived self-efficacy and formal help-seeking intentions, and reductions in suicide stigma, although stigma returned to the baseline three months post-training. Suicide literacy also increased, but only at the three-month follow-up. Most parents found the training acceptable, and did not find it upsetting. Prior mental health, suicide-related experiences, and pre-participation vulnerability were not predictive of finding the training distressing. Overall, the findings show that online gatekeeper training for parents can be beneficial, and is rarely associated with distress.

SUICIDE PREVENTION IS A COMMUNITY’S RESPONSIBILITY: EVALUATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING IN A FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Suicide prevention is a societal responsibility which Engineering Faculties can address by implementing community-wide interventions to educate staff, faculty and students on how to recognize, respond and connect people in need. COVID-19 has necessitated a reimagining of the way suicide prevention programs are delivered and this paper will highlight the implementation and program evaluation of a new online asynchronous suicide prevention training program at a university’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering which proved to be effective.

An Evaluation of the Core Competency Suicide Prevention Training Program for University Health Service Providers

ABSTRACT Despite advances in suicide risk assessment and intervention, evidence-based suicide prevention training for university health service providers is still lacking. This study evaluated the core competency model of suicide prevention training for an interdisciplinary sample of university counseling and student health providers (N = 21). Training was delivered in a half-day workshop format. Participants completed a pre-post training assessment survey. Student health provider risk screening practices were also assessed in the time-period preceding and following training implementation. Consistent with expectations, training yielded significant and robust improvements in providers’ perceived suicide prevention skills and suicide prevention knowledge. However, suicide prevention attitudes and clinical response recognition did not reliably improve. Training was also associated with a greater frequency of student health service providers’ mental health screening administration. The core competency model demonstrates promise as an evidence-informed training program for university counseling center and student health providers.

Efficacy of mentoring skills in Indian Air Force suicide prevention training: Challenges and opportunities

Introduction: Mental health promotion and suicide prevention are important initiatives of Indian Air Force (IAF) for its personnel. Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), Bengaluru, has been conducting suicide prevention training programs for the IAF personnel since 1997. More than a 100 programs have been completed. In-time identification of the vulnerable, empowerment of instructors, provision of information about suicide prevention and improvement of approach toward the ab initio who are at risk are the focus of the suicide prevention program (SPP). This paper aims at assessing the efficacy of the mentoring skills imparted during the suicide prevention training in successfully identifying and providing support to the vulnerable ab initio cadets in the training establishments of IAF. Material and Methods: Mentors (n = 34) who are instructors in the training establishments in IAF and who have completed SPP conducted by IAM participated in the study. A feedback tool which was to assess the usefulness of the SPP in terms of the extended use of mentoring skills in their work, problems faced in the identification of the vulnerable persons, challenges faced in their mentoring activities were administered. Qualitative analysis was carried out and compiled. Results: Qualitative analysis brought out certain important issues regarding the challenges faced by the mentors and their competency in effectively dealing with the challenges. The results provide support in improving the existing SPPs and the role of mentors in mental health promotion in IAF. Conclusion: Suicide prevention program being conducted at IAM (IAF) was found to be beneficial to the mentors. It also addressed some of the professional and personal challenges faced by them. The findings of the study has brought out important take home messages for refining the program in the future.

Taking Youth Suicide Prevention to the Schools: Pilot Evaluation of School-Based Clinician Outcomes and Perspectives of a Multi-Modal Program Including Post-Training Online Consultations for Management of Ongoing Suicide Risk

School-based youth-specific suicide prevention and early intervention initiatives are presently underdeveloped. The current study conducted a pilot evaluation of a multi-modal suicide prevention training program for school-based social workers, ‘Management of Youth Suicidality Training for Schools’ (MYSTS). The program comprised a two-day workshop and six fortnightly post-workshop webinar online consultations. Participants were 36 social workers (years’ experience M = 11.23, SD = 8.29) employed by the Department of Education in Tasmania, Australia. Outcomes were self-rated confidence, competence, and knowledge of self-harm in young people, and attitudes toward suicide prevention and suicide-related behaviors. Exploratory quantitative results indicated significant improvements with large effect sizes for participants’ self-reported competence (d = 1.33), and confidence (d = 1.29) to identify and respond therapeutically to youth suicidality following the workshop. Confidence remained significantly higher than baseline following the online consultations (d = 0.90). Qualitative analysis of online supervision consultations indicated key themes of accessibility, communication and information sharing, and clinical management. Participants endorsed the MYSTS package as well-presented, with relevant topics, and effective learning activities. This study highlights the need for continued supervisory or implementation support to practitioners following suicide prevention training initiatives and suggests web-based teleconference technology as a feasible strategy for this. Further evaluation of the MYSTS package, including a suitable comparison or control condition, is indicated.

Training Student Pharmacists in Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Objective. To determine whether students gained knowledge, confidence, and skills in identifying and preventing suicide in patients, peers, friends, and family after receiving training in suicide prevention. Methods. Student pharmacists participated in a 3.5-hour suicide prevention training program. A pre- and post- intervention assessment and pre- and post-intervention survey were administered before and after completion of the training program. Questions were designed to assess knowledge of, comfort with, and confidence in assessing and intervening with individuals at risk of suicide. A standardized patient prescription counseling session was conducted two weeks after the training session. Videos of the counseling sessions were reviewed to determine whether student pharmacists assessed the patient for suicide risk. Additionally, a post-counseling reflection was completed asking students to reflect on incorporation of the suicide prevention training into their prescription counseling session. Results. One-hundred seventy-one student pharmacists participated in the training. Knowledge increased across all areas as evidenced by improved scores on the post-intervention knowledge assessment. Students' comfort level with asking about suicidal ideation and their confidence with intervening significantly increased from the pre- to post-intervention survey. After the training, 40% stated they knew someone who may need help and 21% said they had decided to seek help for themselves. Conclusion. The training program increased student pharmacists' knowledge of and confidence in assessing and counseling individuals considering suicide. Encouraging student pharmacists to participate in prevention training may aid future providers in preventing death by suicide.

A Longitudinal Assessment of Two Suicide Prevention Training Programs for the Construction Industry.

As part of a suite of early intervention training and support services, Mates in Construction (MATES) provide two general awareness programs to promote mental health and suicide awareness and encourage help-offering and help-seeking in construction workers. General awareness training (GAT) is a one-hour session delivered to all construction workers on large to medium worksites, while MATES awareness training (MAT) maintains similar content but is of shorter duration and delivered informally to small workplaces. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the two programs using a before, after and follow-up design. Construction workers undertaking MAT or GAT training completed a short survey before and after their training and again at follow-up. Linear mixed-effect modelling indicated that GAT and MAT training provided similar results in improving suicide awareness and help-seeking intentions. Some variables showed a significant increase from pre-intervention to the three-month follow-up, indicating the long-term impact of some aspects of the training. The findings demonstrating the effectiveness of MAT training have important implications for MATES, as the training can be delivered to much smaller workplaces, making the program more widely available to the construction industry.

Preliminary effectiveness of an online-mediated competency-based suicide prevention training program.

Preliminary effectiveness of an online-mediated competency-based suicide prevention training program.

LATE-LIFE SUICIDE: IDENTIFYING PREVENTION TARGETS AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES TO MANAGE RISK

Adults aged 70 and older have the highest suicide rates in most countries across the globe (World Health Organization, 2014). Prevalence may increase as the Baby Boomers transition into older adulthood (Phillips, 2014). Disease and disability increase risk for late-life suicide, thus identifying opportunities to intervene within the network of services utilized by older adults with illness and disability could reduce suicide risk. This symposium will explore the impact of disease and disability on late-life suicide risk, and present novel ideas for intervention and prevention. Emphasizing the conference theme, we will discuss prevention points spanning networks of care, including mental health and social services, and long-term care. Dr. Bower will frame the scope of the problem by presenting findings of age-stratified associations between physical illness and suicide attempt among older veterans using secondary data from a retrospective case-control study of veterans. Ms. Lutz will present findings on the relationship between disability and suicidal thoughts from a clinical trial of problem-solving therapy. Dr. Lane will discuss management and identification of suicide risk factors during the transition from independent living to long-term care through the lens of a case-series. Dr. Fullen will present preliminary findings from a novel, randomized controlled trial of a community-based suicide prevention training program for nutrition service volunteers. Dr. Yeates Conwell, Co-Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide and Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program at the University of Rochester Medical Center, will serve as the discussant.

Evaluation of a Brief Suicide Prevention Training Program for College Campuses

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college students. While research indicates a positive impact of gatekeeper training programs on knowledge and attitudes, few have examined change in suicide prevention behaviors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a brief suicide prevention training for college campuses on knowledge, self-efficacy to intervene, and gatekeeper behaviors. A longitudinal design was employed to examine changes from pretest to post-test and 3-month follow-up. Participants included 517 students, staff, and faculty who attended a 90-minute training and completed self-report surveys. The training included both didactic and experiential components. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that knowledge, self-efficacy to discuss suicide and to refer to resources, and gatekeeper behavior increased from pretest to post-test and follow-up. Students exhibited a greater increase in gatekeeper behaviors, in comparison to non-students. Large changes were observed on publicizing suicide prevention information and having informal conversations about suicide with students, and 76% had engaged in gatekeeper behavior at follow-up. Findings offer support for the potential efficacy of a brief prevention program, with promising effects on several suicide prevention behaviors. Declines on knowledge and self-efficacy from post-test to follow-up highlight the importance of booster sessions and complementary programming.

Supplemental Material for Preliminary Effectiveness of an Online-Mediated Competency-Based Suicide Prevention Training Program

Supplemental Material for Preliminary Effectiveness of an Online-Mediated Competency-Based Suicide Prevention Training Program