Article
Details
Citation
Arensman E, Coffey C, Griffin E, Audenhove Cv, Sheerder G, Gusmao R, Costa S, Larkin C, Koburger N, Maxwell M, Harris FM, Postuvan V & Hegerl U (2016) Effectiveness of Depression–Suicidal Behaviour Gatekeeper Training among police officers in three European regions: Outcomes of the Optimising Suicide Prevention Programmes and Their Implementation in Europe (OSPI-Europe) study. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 62 (7), pp. 651-660. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764016668907
Abstract
Background:
Gatekeeper training for community facilitators, to identify and respond to those at risk of suicide, forms an important part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes.
Aims:
This study examined the effects of gatekeeper training on attitudes, knowledge and confidence of police officers in dealing with persons at risk of suicide.
Methods:
A total of 828 police officers across three European regions participated in a 4-hour training programme which addressed the epidemiology of depression and suicidal behaviour, symptoms of depression, warning signs and risk factors associated with suicidal behaviour, motivating help-seeking behaviour, dealing with acute suicidal crisis and informing bereaved relatives. Participants completed internationally validated questionnaires assessing stigmatising attitudes, knowledge about depression and confidence in dealing with suicidal persons pre- and posttraining.
Results:
There were significant differences among countries in terms of previous exposure to suicidal persons and extent of previous training. Post-training evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in stigmatising attitudes, knowledge and confidence in all three countries.
Conclusion:
The consistently positive effects of gatekeeper training of police officers across different regions support inclusion of this type of training as a fundamental part of multi-level community-based suicide prevention programmes and roll-out, nationally and internationally.
Keywords
Gatekeeper training; suicide; depression; police; community; prevention
Journal
International Journal of Social Psychiatry: Volume 62, Issue 7
Status | Published |
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Funders | European Commission |
Publication date | 30/11/2016 |
Publication date online | 19/09/2016 |
Date accepted by journal | 19/09/2016 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/24337 |
Publisher | SAGE |
ISSN | 0020-7640 |
People (1)
Professor, NMAHP