title: Evaluation of gatekeeper training for suicide prevention in veterans.
abstract: Clinical providers and "front line" nonclinical staff who work with veterans, families, and communities are natural gatekeepers to identify and to refer veterans at risk for suicide. A national cohort (n = 602) of community based counseling center staff from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) participated in an evaluation of a brief standardized gatekeeper training program and a scripted behavioral rehearsal practice session. A significant difference in knowledge and self efficacy was observed from pre to post (p < .0001) with the nonclinicians showing larger effect sizes for knowledge (0.96 vs. 0.42) and self efficacy (0.89 vs. 0.41). Gatekeeper training for suicide prevention shows promise for increasing the capacity of VA staff to work with at risk veterans.
authors.affiliation: Washington University in St. Louis, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Center for Mental Health Services Research, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. mmatthieu@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Monica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Matthieu
authors.forename: Wendi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Alfonso R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Batres
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Flora
authors.forename: Kerry L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Knox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D020793:Gatekeeping; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention