The Web-Based Recognise and Respond Gatekeeper Training Program: Noninferiority Randomized Trial.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Online Education

Background:

• Gatekeeper training equips community members to identify and support individuals at risk of suicide.
• The Recognise and Respond (R&R) program is a new online intervention tailored for the Australian context, developed with expert and lived experience input.
• Existing gatekeeper training programs require context-specific adaptations and evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the noninferiority of the R&R online program compared to the established QPR online program in enhancing gatekeeper confidence.
• To assess the short- and medium-term effects of R&R on attitudes toward suicide prevention and knowledge of appropriate responses.
• To provide an evidence-based online gatekeeper training option for the Australian population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 524 participants comparing R&R to QPR.
• Primary outcome: gatekeeper confidence assessed via a noninferiority framework.
• Secondary outcomes: attitudes and knowledge assessed via superiority testing, with data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Both R&R and QPR significantly improved gatekeeper confidence, demonstrating noninferiority of R&R.
• Significant improvements in attitudes and knowledge were observed in both groups post-intervention and at follow-up.
• While QPR showed greater initial improvement in attitude scores, gains were maintained at follow-up for both programs without other significant between-group differences.

Conclusions:

• The R&R online program is effective and noninferior to QPR in improving gatekeeper confidence for suicide prevention.
• R&R provides a viable online training solution for enhancing community capacity in suicide intervention.
• Findings support the use of R&R for widespread implementation in suicide prevention efforts.