Gatekeeper Training and Minimum Standards of Competency

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.

Comparing educational effects between role-play and gatekeeper training in Crisis-management, Anti-stigma, and Mental Health Literacy Program for University Students (CAMPUS)

Aims: We compare the educational effects of role-play and discussion and gatekeeper training to develop an evidence-based suicide prevention education program for university students. Methods: Participants comprised 145 medical students. “Crisis-management, Anti-stigma and Mental Health Literacy Program for University Students” (CAMPUS) was designed and developed, which included a lecture and a parallel session for role-play or gatekeeper training. Students attended a lecture and were randomly assigned to the role-play group or gatekeeper training group. Questionnaires were filled before the module, immediately after the module, and three months after the program. Results: The role-play group learned more appropriate coping skills, whereas the gatekeeper training group improved their self-efficacy as gatekeepers. The students’ depressive state had decreased at three months after the program, along with the reduced suicide probability in students with suicide risk. Conclusions: Role-play and gatekeeper training evinced different educational effects. However, CAMPUS was comprehensively effective in preventing suicide in university students.