The Sources of Strength Australia project: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a peer-connectedness school-based program to promote help-seeking in adolescents

Calear, Alison L.; McCallum, Sonia; Christensen, Helen; Mackinnon, Andrew; Nicolopoulos, Alexandra; Brewer, Jacqueline L.; Werner‐Seidler, Aliza; Morse, Alyssa R.; Kazan, Dominique; Farrer, Louise; Kampel, Laura; Batterham, Philip J.

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.043

Cited by 20 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…A robust evidence base has demonstrated Sources of Strength ’s efficacy in increasing school belonging, healthy coping skills, and related protective factors (Calear et al, 2022; Petrova et al, 2015; Wyman et al, 2010). Sources of Strength is an upstream, peer-led, suicide prevention program aimed at promoting mental health and well-being broadly through increasing help-seeking behaviors and peer connectedness (LoMurray, 2005).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective factors for multiple forms of interpersonal violence experienced by adolescent Latinas.

Robinson,

Valido,

Rivas-Koehl

et al. 2024

Journal of Latinx Psychology

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Interpersonal violence during adolescence is associated with a variety of detrimental physical and mental health outcomes. Cross-sectional data from Latinas (n = 1,087) attending 19 high schools in Colorado during the 2017-2018 school year were analyzed to capture protective factors associated with interpersonal violence victimization. The purpose of the present study is to inform the literature on the potential protective factors for multiple forms of victimization experienced by adolescent Latinas. A series of multiple regression models were conducted for the outcomes of peer victimization, dating violence victimization, sexual violence victimization, and polyvictimization. Specifically, the eight protective factors included family support, positive friends, generosity, trusted adults, healthy activities, spirituality, access to counseling, and access to medical services. Results indicated that family support, access to counseling, access to medical services, and healthy activities were each negatively associated with various forms of interpersonal victimization. However, other "protective factors" like generosity and trusted adults were positively associated with other forms of interpersonal victimization. As the Latinx community continues to grow in the United States, it is imperative that interpersonal violence prevention approaches center the experiences of adolescent Latinas.

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Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective factors for multiple forms of interpersonal violence experienced by adolescent Latinas.

Robinson,

Valido,

Rivas-Koehl

et al. 2024

Journal of Latinx Psychology

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“…Many young people with suicide behavior do not seek help, possibly because of stigma, shame, embarrassment, and limited mental health knowledge (Calear et al, 2022). The early identification of students at risk is important for suicide prevention (Torok et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the readiness of youth education institutions with high‐risk students to implement a suicide prevention gatekeeper intervention: A nationwide observational survey study in Denmark

Østergaard,

Larsen,

Bast

et al. 2024

Psychology in the Schools

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Danish schools offering “preparatory basic education and training” (FGU schools) have students that are characterized by having different academic, social, or personal problems. In addition, many FGU students are at high risk of suicidal behavior. Many young people with suicide behavior do not seek help and early identification is important for suicide prevention. Teachers are in a position where it could be relevant to implement a gatekeeper intervention. To ensure successful implementation of an intervention, it is important to establish organizational readiness for change, including its innovation‐specific capacity, which are the facilitating requirements in the organization specific to the intervention. We aimed to explore the innovation‐specific capacity to implement a gatekeeper intervention at FGU schools in Denmark. This study is based on an online survey completed by teaching staff (n = 251) at FGU schools to explore their overall knowledge about and experience with students' suicidal behavior. Limited knowledge of suicide prevention was found among teaching staff. Most knowledge was from personal experience. There is a need for teaching staff to be educated about suicidal behavior. There is a lack of innovation‐specific capacity to implement a gatekeeper intervention.

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“…Despite the evidence indicating the beneficial effects of educational suicide prevention programs, certain limitations have been raised. Not all implemented prevention programs in schools have proven effective [ 19 ] and some programs seem to have differential effects for specific groups (e.g., more favourable outcomes for females than for males) [ 20 ]. Also, there is substantial variation and uncertainty regarding their theoretical foundation [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing help-seeking, stigma and risk factors for suicidality in secondary schools: short-term and mid-term effects of the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program in a randomized controlled trial

Grosselli,

Knappe,

Baumgärtel

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts present a serious public health concern among adolescents and young adults. School-based suicide prevention programs are a key tool for addressing this problem. However, more research is necessary to assess their effectiveness, acceptability, and safety. In response, the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program was developed to enhance help-seeking, reduce stigma towards suicidal peers and diminish risk factors for suicidality. This article presents the evaluation findings of the HEYLiFE program in German secondary schools. Methods We conducted a randomized-controlled trial measuring short-term pre-post within-group effects in the intervention group only and mid-term effects at 6-months-follow-up compared to a waitlist-control group. Schools were assigned randomly to the intervention or control group (no blinding). We recruited students ≥12 years of age. Primary outcomes were knowledge about suicidality, attitudes towards suicidality, stigma towards a suicidal peer, help-seeking intentions and behaviours, risk factors for suicidality. The data was analysed with linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models. Results A total of N = 745 students participated (n = 353 intervention group, n = 392 control group). We observed favourable short-term effects on knowledge, attitudes towards suicidality and fear towards a suicidal peer. Unexpectedly, the program also led to an increase in desire for social distance and a decrease in prosocial emotions towards a suicidal peer. The mid-term effects of the program were exclusively favourable, resulting in enhanced attitudes towards help-seeking while protecting from a sharper rise in risk-factors for suicidality and from an increase in social distance. The program had more favourable effects on females and on students aged >13 years. The program was well-received by the students, and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the HEYLiFE universal suicide prevention program in addressing variables associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents on the mid-term. The short-term negative effects on stigma and more negative effects on males should be addressed in the future. Future evaluation studies should examine its effects on suicidality and its effectiveness within populations at high risk. Trial registration The study was preregistered in the German Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00017045; registration date: 02/04/2019).

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The Sources of Strength Australia project: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a peer-connectedness school-based program to promote help-seeking in adolescents

Cited by 20 publications

References 20 publications

Protective factors for multiple forms of interpersonal violence experienced by adolescent Latinas.

Protective factors for multiple forms of interpersonal violence experienced by adolescent Latinas.

Exploring the readiness of youth education institutions with high‐risk students to implement a suicide prevention gatekeeper intervention: A nationwide observational survey study in Denmark

Addressing help-seeking, stigma and risk factors for suicidality in secondary schools: short-term and mid-term effects of the HEYLiFE suicide prevention program in a randomized controlled trial

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