Kelly Brown1, Maree Toombs2, Bushra Nasir2, Steve Kisely3, Geetha Ranmuthugala4, Sharon L Brennan-Olsen5, Geoffrey C Nicholson2, Neeraj S Gill6, Noel S Hayman2, Srinivas Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan7, Leanne Hides8. 1. School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 2. Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. 3. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 4. Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. 5. Department of Medicine-Western Health, University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, Australia. 6. Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. 7. Rural Clinical School, The University of Queensland, Australia. 8. School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: l.hides@uq.edu.au.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Suicide prevention training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a national health priority in Australia. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a qualitative study to increase understanding of how a mobile application (app) could be used to support suicide prevention gatekeepers in Indigenous communities. We respectfully use the term Indigenous to refer to Australian peoples of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. METHOD: Two participatory design workshops were held with 12 participants who were either Indigenous health workers or community members. The workshops first explored what knowledge, skills, and support suicide prevention gatekeepers in Indigenous communities may require, as well as how technology, specifically mobile apps, could be used to support these needs. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis identified four themes related to perceptions of who gatekeepers are, their role requirements, technology and supporting resources, as well as broader community issues. Participants thought training programs should target key, accessible, and respected people from diverse, designated, and emergent groups in Indigenous communities to act as gatekeepers, but requested an alternative, more culturally appropriate term to 'gatekeeper' (e.g., responder). Training should prepare gatekeepers for multifaceted suicide prevention roles, including the identification and management of at-risk Indigenous persons, the provision of psychoeducation and ongoing support, as well as facilitate integrated care in collaboration with community services. A combination of multiple support resources was recommended, including multi-platform options in the technology (e.g., mobile applications, social media) and physical domains (e.g., wallet cards, regular meetings). Recommended app features included culturally appropriate refresher content on suicide intervention, training recall, integrated care, how to access gatekeeper peer support, and debriefing. Broader community concerns on gatekeeper support needs were also considered.
RATIONALE: Suicide prevention training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a national health priority in Australia. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a qualitative study to increase understanding of how a mobile application (app) could be used to support suicide prevention gatekeepers in Indigenous communities. We respectfully use the term Indigenous to refer to Australian peoples of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. METHOD: Two participatory design workshops were held with 12 participants who were either Indigenous health workers or community members. The workshops first explored what knowledge, skills, and support suicide prevention gatekeepers in Indigenous communities may require, as well as how technology, specifically mobile apps, could be used to support these needs. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis identified four themes related to perceptions of who gatekeepers are, their role requirements, technology and supporting resources, as well as broader community issues. Participants thought training programs should target key, accessible, and respected people from diverse, designated, and emergent groups in Indigenous communities to act as gatekeepers, but requested an alternative, more culturally appropriate term to 'gatekeeper' (e.g., responder). Training should prepare gatekeepers for multifaceted suicide prevention roles, including the identification and management of at-risk Indigenous persons, the provision of psychoeducation and ongoing support, as well as facilitate integrated care in collaboration with community services. A combination of multiple support resources was recommended, including multi-platform options in the technology (e.g., mobile applications, social media) and physical domains (e.g., wallet cards, regular meetings). Recommended app features included culturally appropriate refresher content on suicide intervention, training recall, integrated care, how to access gatekeeper peer support, and debriefing. Broader community concerns on gatekeeper support needs were also considered.
Authors: Tania Pearce; Myfanwy Maple; Sarah Wayland; Kathy McKay; Alan Woodward; Anna Brooks; Anthony Shakeshaft Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2022-04-14