Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training: Can They Advance Prevention in Indian Country?

Abstract

American Indian youth have the highest suicide rates in the United States; however, many do not use services and access barriers exist. This study was a cross-sectional evaluation of 6 gatekeeper trainings conducted on 1 reservation with N = 84 individuals. Analyses examined participant characteristics, impact on training objectives, and satisfaction. The majority of participants were American Indian and female (89.3%). Significant increases in knowledge (p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (p < 0.001) were observed post-test, as well as high satisfaction (3.53/5) and intent to use skills daily (36.4%) or monthly (66.3%). Lowest rated was how the training addressed cultural differences (2.93). While results support the promise of gatekeeper training, they identify a clear need for adaptation; specific implementation and research recommendations are discussed.

Keywords:

• American Indian
• ASIST
• gatekeeper training

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary F. Cwik

Mary F. Cwik, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Lauren Tingey

Lauren Tingey, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Rebecca Wilkinson

Rebecca Wilkinson, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Novalene Goklish

Novalene Goklish, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Francene Larzelere-Hinton

Francene Larzelere-Hinton, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Allison Barlow

Allison Barlow, Department of International Health, and Center for American Indian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.