A Developmental Model of Clergy Engagement With Suicide

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Mason ◽  
Monica Geist ◽  
Mollie Clark

Clergy have a key role in suicide prevention but report being undertrained, perhaps because a model that captures the competencies needed to engage suicide in faith communities and how these skills develop has not previously been available. Using grounded theory, this study addressed this gap by generating a developmental rubric based on interviews with 19 Protestant clergy, which were analyzed using a constant comparative method and were checked by interviewees operating at the highest level of development. The final 10 dimensions described over four developmental stages are (a) knowing role as clergy, (b) listening, (c) confidence, (d) risk assessment, (e) referral, (f) self-care, (g) community building, (h) postvention: ministering to survivors, (i) conducting memorial services or memorial ceremonies, and (j) clergy guilt. Results are based on clergy’s intuitive categories and provide a usable rubric for developing suicide prevention training for clergy.

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Shtivelband ◽  
Patricia A. Aloise-Young ◽  
Peter Y. Chen

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina E. Krysinska ◽  
Diego De Leo

Development of information technology has created new opportunities and challenges in suicide prevention, research, and clinical practice. This article presents an overview of the wide range of telecommunication-based suicide prevention approaches. Interventions using the Internet, telephone, and videoconferencing are discussed, including crisis intervention, referral, and support, suicide risk assessment, psychotherapy for individuals at risk, and online-based suicide prevention training and education. Research regarding effectiveness of telecommunication-based suicide prevention in various demographic and clinical populations is reviewed, as well as concerns regarding this type of intervention. Future areas of research and development in the use of telecommunication media in prevention of suicide are discussed.


Author(s):  
Aisha Adel Provoteaux

This qualitative case study investigated the challenges and opportunities for fostering artistic engagement in early adolescent students. As developmental stages are likely to be factor, the experiences of three middle school teachers were analyzed to identify strategies for nurturing artistic engagement in this population. A constant comparative method of analysis of interview data revealed the following themes: the importance of artistic engagement, how to recognize it, challenges with fostering this type of engagement and strategies for overcoming them, opportunities for promoting artistic engagement, the developmental needs of adolescent students, their relationship to artistic engagement and the implications for the secondary art curriculum. Ultimately, it was found that while stages of development do influence artistic engagement, extrinsic motivators also play a role. Challenges, however, can be mediated by a constructivist approach to art education, as it motivates and empowers students to become responsible for their learning, through the creation of meaningful artwork.


10.2196/22076 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e22076
Author(s):  
Alan R Teo ◽  
Wynn Strange ◽  
Ricky Bui ◽  
Steven K Dobscha ◽  
Sarah S Ono

Background A “concerning post” is a display of a user’s emotional crisis on a social media platform. A better understanding of concerning posts is relevant to suicide prevention, but little is known about social media users’ attitudes and responses to concerning posts. Military veterans in the United States are disproportionately affected by suicide, often use social media, and may have exposure to individuals with elevated suicide risk via concerning posts. Objective The objective of the study was (1) to obtain insight into whether and how US military veterans respond to members of their social network on social media (ie, “friends”) who are experiencing substantial emotional distress, and (2) to identify potential interventions that could assist in users’ response to concerning posts. Methods We recruited veterans through Facebook and conducted semistructured interviews with 30 participants between June and December 2017. We used a summary template for rapid analysis of each interview, followed by double-coding using a codebook based on topic domains from the interview guide. Members of the research team met regularly to discuss emerging patterns in the data, generate themes, and select representative quotes for inclusion in the manuscript. Results Veterans were reluctant to disclose emotional and health issues on Facebook, but they were open to reaching out to others’ concerning posts. There was a complex calculus underlying whether and how veterans responded to a concerning post, which involved considering (1) physical proximity to the person posting, (2) relationship closeness, (3) existing responses to the post, and (4) ability to maintain contact with the person. Veterans desired additional training, backed by community-based veteran organizations, in how to respond to concerning posts from peers. Conclusions There is a need to incorporate features that will help veterans effectively respond to concerning posts from peers into suicide prevention training and to expand access for veterans to such training.


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