Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• Suicide prevention gatekeeper training is crucial for enhancing suicide prevention knowledge.
• These programs aim to improve risk identification and reduce suicide-related stigma.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of online gatekeeper training is essential for wider implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an online suicide prevention gatekeeper training program.
• To assess changes in gatekeeper preparedness, self-efficacy, stigma, knowledge, and skill utilization.
• To compare the AS + K? training with an information-only intervention in a randomized trial.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 388 US college students (mean age 19.01, 69.3% women).
• Participants were assigned to either the AS + K? training or a comparison intervention.
• Pre- and posttest surveys were used to measure outcomes.

Main Results:

• The AS + K? group showed significantly greater gatekeeper preparedness and self-efficacy.
• Participants in the AS + K? condition reported lower stigmatized attitudes post-training.
• No significant differences were found in the likelihood of using gatekeeper skills or suicide-related knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Online gatekeeper training increases preparedness and self-efficacy for suicide prevention behaviors.
• The AS + K? program effectively reduces suicide-related stigma among college students.
• Despite small effects, the online AS + K? training shows promise for suicide prevention.