Olivier Ferlatte1, Travis Salway2,3,4, John L Oliffe5,6, Hannah Kia7, Simon Rice8,9, Jeffrey Morgan10, A J Lowik10,11, Rod Knight10,12. 1. Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, QC, Canada. 2. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 3. Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. 5. School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 6. School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 7. School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 8. Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 9. Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 10. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 11. Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 12. Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Gatekeeper training is a widely recommended suicide prevention intervention that encourages the development of knowledge and the identification and support of those at risk of suicide. Yet, this strategy has not been implemented among sexual and gender minorities (SGM), a group at high risk of suicide. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the readiness and interest of SGM in supporting peers experiencing suicide-related behaviors. Method: We analyzed data from an online cross-sectional survey of Canadian SGM (n = 2778). Results: In total, 90% of participants had ≥1 SGM peer with depression, and 73% had ≥1 SGM peer who had previously attempted suicide; 74% said they knew what to do to support a peer experiencing suicide risk, and 77% indicated they knew where to refer them. Furthermore, 94% were interested in learning how to recognize signs of suicidality, while 95% were interested in learning skills to support a peer struggling with suicidality and 81% of those indicated a preference to learn these skills online. Limitations: The study used a nonprobability sample and cross-sectional design. Conclusion: SGM are largely interested in learning suicide prevention skills and, as such, more resources are needed to implement and scale up evidence-based approaches for gatekeeper training among SGM.
Background: Gatekeeper training is a widely recommended suicide prevention intervention that encourages the development of knowledge and the identification and support of those at risk of suicide. Yet, this strategy has not been implemented among sexual and gender minorities (SGM), a group at high risk of suicide. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the readiness and interest of SGM in supporting peers experiencing suicide-related behaviors. Method: We analyzed data from an online cross-sectional survey of Canadian SGM (n = 2778). Results: In total, 90% of participants had ≥1 SGM peer with depression, and 73% had ≥1 SGM peer who had previously attempted suicide; 74% said they knew what to do to support a peer experiencing suicide risk, and 77% indicated they knew where to refer them. Furthermore, 94% were interested in learning how to recognize signs of suicidality, while 95% were interested in learning skills to support a peer struggling with suicidality and 81% of those indicated a preference to learn these skills online. Limitations: The study used a nonprobability sample and cross-sectional design. Conclusion: SGM are largely interested in learning suicide prevention skills and, as such, more resources are needed to implement and scale up evidence-based approaches for gatekeeper training among SGM.
Authors: Olivier Ferlatte; Travis Salway; John L Oliffe; Elizabeth M Saewyc; Cindy Holmes; Lynette Schick; Aaron Purdie; Diana Dammy Damstrom-Albach; Edward R G Mantler; Darren Ho; Rod Knight Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2020-04-23
Authors: Shane Worrell; Andrea Waling; Joel Anderson; Anthony Lyons; Christopher A Pepping; Adam Bourne Journal: Sex Res Social Policy Date: 2022-01-04
Authors: Olivier Ferlatte; Travis Salway; John L Oliffe; Simon M Rice; Mark Gilbert; Ingrid Young; Lisa McDaid; John S Ogrodniczuk; Rod Knight Journal: Arch Suicide Res Date: 2020-06-12