Effectiveness of a peer-led gatekeeper program: A longitudinal mixed-method analysis

Abstract

Objective: The current study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of a peer delivered suicide prevention gatekeeper training program for college students. Participants: 1,345 undergraduate students (M_age = 20.24, SD = 3.27; 89.6% White) received the peer led training during a single class-period. Method: Participants completed pre- post- and 3-month follow-up surveys assessing knowledge, perceived intervention skills, willingness to intervene, and self-efficacy. Engagement in gatekeeper behaviors were assessed at follow-up. Two open-ended questions provided data for qualitative analysis. Results: Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that participants showed substantial increases in all outcomes from pre- to post-training, and these gains were maintained at follow-up. Participants reported engaging in gatekeeper intervention behaviors at follow-up and qualitative results provide evidence this was due to the training. Conclusion: Peer led suicide prevention gatekeeper training is feasible, appears to be effective, and can enhance campus’ capacity to provide sustainable suicide prevention programming on campus.

Keywords:

• College
• gatekeeper
• peer educator
• suicide prevention
• training

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the [Institutional Review Board of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under Grant SM061793-01 and Grant SM080481-01. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of SAMHSA.