Ella Arensman1,2, Claire Coffey1, Eve Griffin1, Chantal Van Audenhove3, Gert Scheerder3, Ricardo Gusmao4, Susana Costa5, Celine Larkin1, Nicole Koburger6, Margaret Maxwell7, Fiona Harris7, Vita Postuvan8, Ulrich Hegerl6. 1. 1 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 2. 2 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 3. 3 LUCAS (Centre for Care Research and Consultancy), KU Leuven, Leuven B-3000, Belgium. 4. 4 Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Port, Porto (ISPUP). 5. 5 EUTIMIA, Lisboa, Portugal. 6. 6 Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Leipzig, Germany. 7. 7 Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Innovation Park, University of Stirling, FK9 4NF, Stirling, UK. 8. 8 Slovene Center for Suicide Research, Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gatekeeper training for community facilitators, to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide, forms an important part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes. AIMS: This study examined the effects of gatekeeper training on attitudes, knowledge and confidence of police officers in dealing with persons at risk of suicide. METHODS: A total of 828 police officers across three European regions participated in a 4-hour training programme which addressed the epidemiology of depression and suicidal behaviour, symptoms of depression, warning signs and risk factors associated with suicidal behaviour, motivating help-seeking behaviour, dealing with acute suicidal crisis and informing bereaved relatives. Participants completed internationally validated questionnaires assessing stigmatising attitudes, knowledge about depression and confidence in dealing with suicidal persons pre- and post-training. RESULTS: There were significant differences among countries in terms of previous exposure to suicidal persons and extent of previous training. Post-training evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in stigmatising attitudes, knowledge and confidence in all three countries. CONCLUSION: The consistently positive effects of gatekeeper training of police officers across different regions support inclusion of this type of training as a fundamental part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes and roll-out, nationally and internationally.
BACKGROUND:Gatekeeper training for community facilitators, to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide, forms an important part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes. AIMS: This study examined the effects of gatekeeper training on attitudes, knowledge and confidence of police officers in dealing with persons at risk of suicide. METHODS: A total of 828 police officers across three European regions participated in a 4-hour training programme which addressed the epidemiology of depression and suicidal behaviour, symptoms of depression, warning signs and risk factors associated with suicidal behaviour, motivating help-seeking behaviour, dealing with acute suicidal crisis and informing bereaved relatives. Participants completed internationally validated questionnaires assessing stigmatising attitudes, knowledge about depression and confidence in dealing with suicidal persons pre- and post-training. RESULTS: There were significant differences among countries in terms of previous exposure to suicidal persons and extent of previous training. Post-training evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in stigmatising attitudes, knowledge and confidence in all three countries. CONCLUSION: The consistently positive effects of gatekeeper training of police officers across different regions support inclusion of this type of training as a fundamental part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes and roll-out, nationally and internationally.
Authors: Renske Gilissen; Derek De Beurs; Jan Mokkenstorm; Saskia Mérelle; Gé Donker; Sanne Terpstra; Carla Derijck; Gerdien Franx Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-03-28 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ulrich Hegerl; Margaret Maxwell; Fiona Harris; Nicole Koburger; Roland Mergl; András Székely; Ella Arensman; Chantal Van Audenhove; Celine Larkin; Mónika Ditta Toth; Sónia Quintão; Airi Värnik; Axel Genz; Marco Sarchiapone; David McDaid; Armin Schmidtke; György Purebl; James C Coyne; Ricardo Gusmão Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-11-11 Impact factor: 3.240