Suicide intervention training for college staff: Program evaluation and intervention skill measurement. Issue 7 (3rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shannonhouse, Laura; Lin, Yung-Wei Dennis; Shaw, Kelly; Wanna, Reema; Porter, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 65:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 456
• Publication Date: 2017-10-03
• Subjects: College counseling -- measurement issues -- suicide intervention skills -- suicide prevention; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2017.1341893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : Suicide remains a pressing issue for college communities. Consequently, gatekeeper trainings are often provided for staff. This study examines the effect of one such program, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).Participants : 51 college employees received ASIST in August of 2014 and were compared to 30 wait-list control participants.Methods : Repeated Measures ANOVA were used to analyze pre- and post-training: (a) skills at responding to students-at-risk; (b) attitudes toward suicide; (c) knowledge about suicide; and (d) comfort/competence/confidence at helping a student-at-risk.Results : Significant positive training effects were observed for ASIST on self-report measures and also for objectively assessed skill at responding, after adjusting for a potential scoring limitation of the Suicide Intervention Response Inventory, Revised (SIRI-2).Conclusions : ASIST improved the self-perception of college staff at working with students-at-risk of suicide and also their skills at performing an intervention. Further, analysis of SIRI-2 data provides support for a potential instrument revision.