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ABSTRACT
Most master of social work (MSW) programs provide minimal education or training on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention despite that the majority of social workers encounter suicidal clients during their professional careers. This study describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a course on suicide in an MSW program. Changes in student suicide-related knowledge, confidence, and preparedness were evaluated using a pre/post design. We found statistically significant increases in knowledge (t [df = 21] = 4.79; p < .001), confidence (t [df = 17] = 8.55; p < .001), and preparedness (t [df = 20] = 7.28; p < .001) from pretest to posttest. Knowledge, confidence, and preparedness were significantly positively correlated, indicating that confidence and preparedness did not increase without a corresponding increase in knowledge. Given the prevalence of suicide and the frequency with which social workers serve populations affected by suicide, it is critical that MSW programs provide effective training on understanding suicide.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Joanna Almeida
Joanna Almeida, ScD, MPH, MSW, and Kimberly H. M. O’Brien, PhD, LICSW, MSW, are Assistant Professors, and Christina M. Gironda and Emma B. Gross were MSW students at the time of the study, all at Simmons College.
Kimberly H. M. O’Brien
Joanna Almeida, ScD, MPH, MSW, and Kimberly H. M. O’Brien, PhD, LICSW, MSW, are Assistant Professors, and Christina M. Gironda and Emma B. Gross were MSW students at the time of the study, all at Simmons College.
Christina M. Gironda
Joanna Almeida, ScD, MPH, MSW, and Kimberly H. M. O’Brien, PhD, LICSW, MSW, are Assistant Professors, and Christina M. Gironda and Emma B. Gross were MSW students at the time of the study, all at Simmons College.
Emma B. Gross
Joanna Almeida, ScD, MPH, MSW, and Kimberly H. M. O’Brien, PhD, LICSW, MSW, are Assistant Professors, and Christina M. Gironda and Emma B. Gross were MSW students at the time of the study, all at Simmons College.