Development of the Life Gatekeeper suicide prevention training programme in China: a Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Public Mental Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Intervention Science

Background:

• Youth suicide is a significant public health issue in China.
• There is a lack of locally developed suicide prevention programs for Chinese adolescents.
• Teachers and parents are key figures in identifying and supporting at-risk youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically develop the Life Gatekeeper program, China's first locally-developed gatekeeper intervention program.
• To equip teachers and parents with the necessary knowledge and skills for suicide prevention.
• To provide an evidence base for future suicide prevention initiatives in China.

Main Methods:

• The Delphi method was employed to achieve expert consensus on training content and delivery.
• Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted with professionals in suicide research and practice.
• Statements were included if endorsed by at least 80% of the expert panel.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on 201 out of 207 statements for the gatekeeper program guidelines.
• 151 statements were adapted from the original questionnaire, and 50 new statements were generated by experts.
• The finalized statements formed the basis for the Life Gatekeeper training program content.

Conclusions:

• This Delphi study provides a foundational evidence base for the first systematic, locally developed gatekeeper training program in China.
• The study paves the way for more evidence-based suicide prevention programs tailored to the Chinese context.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Life Gatekeeper training program.