Gatekeeper Training in Campus Suicide Prevention

Abstract

This chapter reviews factors in effective gatekeeper training as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention program. A case example is provided to illustrate the application of these factors.

Implementing Suicide Prevention Training into an Athletic Training Curriculum: An Introductory Model

“…8,22 Many different gatekeeper training programs (ie, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training; Campus Connect; Kognito; Question, Persuade, Refer) are available to teach suicide ideation recognition, crisis intervention, and referral. 22 Positive outcomes from the evaluation of these gatekeeper training programs 9,12,[23][24][25][26] support the implementation in an athletic training curriculum.…”

“…The foundational concepts and content for the suicide prevention training were established using systematic factors commonly used in the development, implementation, and evaluation of gatekeeper training 9 and the university's suicide prevention training program for gatekeepers. 10,11 Adapted from the 5-step strategic planning model for gatekeeper training in campus suicide prevention of Wallack et al, 9 Table 1 provides a general overview of the steps and variables that were considered before the implementation of the suicide prevention training for athletic training students.…”

“…The foundational concepts and content for the suicide prevention training were established using systematic factors commonly used in the development, implementation, and evaluation of gatekeeper training 9 and the university's suicide prevention training program for gatekeepers. 10,11 Adapted from the 5-step strategic planning model for gatekeeper training in campus suicide prevention of Wallack et al, 9 Table 1 provides a general overview of the steps and variables that were considered before the implementation of the suicide prevention training for athletic training students. A mental health EAP and hypothetical skill check scenarios were added to the suicide prevention training to further enhance the interactive components of the training and cultivate meaningful, real-world experiences to better prepare athletic training students for independent clinical practice and professional readiness.…”

“…Campus Connect, a suicide prevention training for gatekeepers, is a nationally recognized experiential (learning through reflection on doing) based training program specific to college student suicide. 9,[26][27][28] Through interactions with qualified Campus Connect trainers, gatekeepers engage in didactic learning (eg, suicide stats, risks) and experiential exercises (eg, asking about suicide, roleplay) to develop empathetic listening and communication skills. 27 The Campus Connect trainers are instrumental in engaging the gatekeepers in the emotional responses that arise when confronting college students with suicidal ideation, but more importantly, they coach the gatekeepers in asking a student in crisis if he or she is thinking about suicide.…”

Comparing the Effectiveness of Brief Versus In-Depth Gatekeeper Training on Behavioral Outcomes for Trainees

“…Among GLS Program grantees, a common strategy is training "gatekeepers" – community members who have regular contact with youth, including police officers, foster parents, teachers, coaches, probation officers, and mental health professionals (Cross, Matthieu, Lezine, & Knox, 2010; Matthieu, Cross, Batres, Flora, & Knox, 2008; Teo et al., 2016; Wallack, Servaty-Seib & Taub, 2013; Walrath, Garraza, Reid, Goldston, & McKeon, 2015; Walsh, Hooven & Kronick, 2013; Wyman et al., 2008). Gatekeeper training generally consists of developing gatekeepers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes to identify individuals at risk for suicide and make referrals for intervention and services (Gould, Greenberg, Velting, & Shaffer, 2003; U.S.…”