scholarly journals Gatekeeper Training and Minimum Standards of Competency

Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinta Hawgood ◽  
Alan Woodward ◽  
Paul Quinnett ◽  
Diego De Leo
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Training Design ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Gatekeeper Training ◽  
Minimum Standards ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
And Training

Abstract. Gatekeeper training (GKT) is one of the most widely used suicide prevention strategies. It involves training people who are not necessarily clinicians to be able to identify people experiencing suicidality and refer them to appropriate services. While there is a dearth of research that supports the causal link between GKT and reduced suicide rates, this is likely the result of a variety of factors including training design, definitions of “gatekeepers,” differing populations in which the gatekeeper (GK) operates, and other variables that may influence suicide rates. Despite this, research suggests that GKT improves people's knowledge, skills, and confidence in helping individuals who experience suicidal ideation and enhances positive beliefs about the efficacy of suicide prevention. However, there is no consensus on GK competencies to allow differences in effectiveness between various training programs to be measured, that is, knowledge, skills and abilities, attitudes, and self-efficacy attributes expected of a person resulting from the training. This paper discusses challenges in developing GK competencies. It uses developments in suicide prevention competencies for clinicians, vocational education, and training sector competencies, as well as empirical work in GKT, to propose minimum GK competencies that may be examined for further research and evaluation of programs.

Restrictions in Availability of Drugs Used for Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (S1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merete Nordentoft
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Suicide Rates

Abstract. Availability of drugs with high lethality has been hypothesized to increase the risk of self-poisoning suicides. A literature search concerning deliberate self-poisoning and the effect of restricting access to drugs was conducted, and the effect of restrictions in availability of barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, dextropropoxyphene, and weak analgesics was reviewed. The correlations between method-specific and overall suicide rates and sales figures for barbiturates, dextropropoxyphene, weak analgesics, and tricyclic antidepressants were reviewed. It is concluded that restriction in availability of drugs with high case fatality should be a part of suicide prevention strategies.

Evidence-based suicide prevention strategies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 795-800
Author(s):  
Danuta Wasserman ◽  
Vladimir Carli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Impact

Evidence has shown that during times of crises, suicide rates can decrease but tend to increase as the crisis alleviates. The consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, whether direct or indirect, will be far reaching. In this chapter the impact of the pandemic on the risk and protective factors of suicide, grouped according to the socio-ecological model at individual, relationship, community, and society levels, is described. To prevent unnecessary suicides, the effects of Covid-19 pandemic, on health care and public health suicide prevention strategies, and recommendations for implementation are presented.

Suicide in Later Life

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Van Orden ◽  
Caroline Silva ◽  
Yeates Conwell
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Universal Prevention ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Suicide Rates

Suicide in later life is a significant public health problem around the world—a problem that will increase in magnitude in the coming years with the impact of population aging. Adults age 70 and older have higher suicide rates than younger groups worldwide in both lower-income and higher-income countries. While suicide rates tend to increase with age, suicide in later life is not an expected or normative response to stressors that accompany the aging process. Instead, a constellation of risk factors places an older adult at elevated risk for suicide. These factors can be remembered as the Five D’s: psychiatric illness (primarily depression); functional impairment (also called disability, often associated with dependency on others); physical illness (particularly multiple comorbid diseases); social disconnectedness (including social isolation, loneliness, family conflict, and feeling like a burden); and access to lethal (deadly) means. The greatest risk occurs when multiple domains of risk converge in a given individual. Approaches to prevention can address the Five D’s. Given that older adults are reluctant to seek out mental healthcare and that standard primary care practice cannot easily provide it, models of primary care-based integrated care management for mental disorders, including in older adulthood, have been developed, rigorously tested, and widely disseminated. These models play an important role in suicide prevention by integrating treatment for physical and mental illness. Upstream, selective prevention strategies that target disconnectedness—such as engaging older adults as volunteers—may serve to reduce disconnectedness and thereby reduce suicide risk. Universal prevention strategies that involve growing the geriatric workforce may address disability by increasing older adults’ access to medical and social service providers with expertise in improving physical, cognitive, and social functioning, as well as improving quality of life. Addressing ageism and building age-friendly communities that use strategies to integrate older adults into society and promote social participation hold promise as universal prevention strategies. Ultimately, effective suicide prevention strategies for older adults must focus on improving quality of life as well as preventing suicide: strategies such as psychotherapy and medication for psychiatric disorders must be supplemented by prevention strategies for older adults give at all ages in addition to treating psychiatric disorders and suicidal thoughts is needed to address the problem of suicide in later life.

Suicide in Japan

Crisis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamashita Shiho ◽  
Takizawa Tohru ◽  
Sakamoto Shinji ◽  
Taguchi Manabu ◽  
Takenoshita Yuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Suicide Rates

Abstract. This article introduces the reader to present conditions and suicide prevention measures in Japan. The suicide rate has increased gradually since the early 1990s, reaching a postwar peak in 1998. The number of suicides has remained at about 30,000 every year since 1998. Middle-aged (55-59 years) and elderly men have especially high suicide rates. In 2002, The Council of Learned People on Measures Against Suicides (organized by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare) released its report on national suicide prevention strategies. Although national suicide prevention strategies have just begun to be established, some prefectures or regions have undertaken unique suicide prevention measures.

Gender in vocational education and training: an integrative review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Ray ◽  
Jill Zarestky
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Education ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Training

Purpose Vocational education and training (VET) programmes are key contributors to skill and talent development for nations worldwide, as aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). The purpose of this paper is to explore gender inclusion in VET programmes from an economic feminist (EF) theoretical perspective. Design/methodology/approach This integrative literature review identified and analysed relevant empirical studies to create a more comprehensive representation of supports for global gender equity and economic growth through VET. Findings A gap exists between EF theory, human resource development and VET practices. Consequently, instructor preparation and practice do not adequately contribute to equitable workplaces beyond VET programmes. VET programmes continually struggle to create inclusive environments that support women and challenge masculinized fields and workplace norms. Research limitations/implications This paper limits empirical studies addressing gender in VET. Future empirical work should investigate the value to students, instructors and communities when masculine industry norms are reconstructed and redesigned for gender inclusivity. Practical implications VET advisors and instructors are influential in contextualizing vocational fields for students and influencing students’ career trajectories. Women need more accessible training and employment in traditional masculine industries. Originality/value This comprehensive review of gender in VET can aid in inclusivity efforts of programmes and employers and support nations’ efforts to achieve the UN’s SDGs.

Sustaining the Effects of Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Shtivelband ◽  
Patricia A. Aloise-Young ◽  
Peter Y. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Program Improvement ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Gatekeeper Training ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
Continued Learning ◽  
Suicide Prevention Training

Background: Gatekeeper training is a promising suicide prevention strategy that is growing in popularity. Although gatekeeper training programs have been found to improve trainee knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived skills, researchers have found that the benefit of gatekeeper training may not last over time. Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify strategies for strengthening the long-term effects of suicide prevention gatekeeper training. Method: In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with gatekeepers (N = 44) and data were analyzed using a qualitative research approach. Results: The results of this study suggest that posttraining interventions may be more effective if they include the following seven themes: (a) social network – connecting with other gatekeepers; (b) continued learning – further education; (c) community outreach – building awareness; (d) accessibility – convenience; (e) reminders – ongoing communication; (f) program improvement –- enhancing previous training; and (g) certification – accreditation. Conclusion: Posttraining interventions that incorporate the themes from this study offer a promising direction in which to sustain the effects of gatekeeper suicide prevention training.

Suicide-Related Crimes in Contemporary European Criminal Laws

Crisis ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilkka Henrik Mäkinen
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Legal Systems ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Public Opinions ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Narrow Scope ◽  
National Affair ◽  
Attitudes Towards Suicide ◽  
Special Circumstances

This article describes suicide-related penal legislation in contemporary Europe, and analyzes and relates the results to cultural attitudes towards suicide and to national suicide rates. Data were obtained from 42 legal entities. Of these, 34 have penal regulations which - according to definition - chiefly and directly deal with suicide. There are three main types of act: aiding suicide, abetting suicide, and driving to suicide. The laws vary considerably with regard to which acts are sanctioned, how severely they are punished, and whether any special circumstances such as the motive, the result, or the object can make the crime more serious. Various ideologies have inspired legislation: religions, the euthanasia movement, and suicide prevention have all left their mark. There are some cases in which neighboring legal systems have clearly influenced laws on the topic. However, the process seems mostly to have been a national affair, resulting in surprisingly large discrepancies between European legal systems. The laws seem to reflect public opinions: countries which punish the crimes harder have significantly less permissive cultural attitudes towards suicide. Likewise, suicide rates were significantly higher in countries with a narrow scope of criminalization and milder punishments for suicide-related crimes. The cultural and normative elements of society are connected with its suicide mortality.

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