title: Gatekeeper training as a preventative intervention for suicide: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suicide prevention remains a challenge across communities in North America and abroad. We examine a suicide prevention effort that is widely used, termed gatekeeper training. There are 2 aims: review the state of the evidence on gatekeeper training for suicide prevention, and propose directions for further research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (PubMed) and PsycINFO from inception to the present for the key words suicide, suicide prevention, and gatekeeper. In addition, a manual scan of relevant articles' bibliographies was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gatekeeper training has been implemented and studied in many populations, including military personnel, public school staff, peer helpers, clinicians, and Aboriginal people. This type of training has been shown to positively affect the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of trainees regarding suicide prevention. Large-scale cohort studies in military personnel and physicians have reported promising results with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gatekeeper training is successful at imparting knowledge, building skills, and molding the attitudes of trainees; however, more work needs to be done on longevity of these traits and referral patterns of gatekeepers. There is a need for randomized controlled trials. In addition, the unique effect of gatekeeper training on suicide rates needs to be fully elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Residency Program, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isaac
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Laurence Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Shay-Lee
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Belik
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Deane
authors.forename: Murray W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Enns
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sareen