title: Online Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many mental health professionals (MHPs) encounter youth at risk for suicide but lack knowledge and confidence to assist these individuals. Unfortunately, training for MHPs on suicide risk assessment and management is often not adequately accessible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether MHPs' knowledge, attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control in working with at-risk suicidal youth improve following an online training (QPRT: Question, Persuade, Refer, Treat).
  
  
  METHODS
  QPRT was provided to 225 MHPs from three large urban areas in the United States. Suicide prevention literacy, attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioral control in assessing and managing suicide risk were assessed before and after training. Data were also collected on training engagement and completion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suicide prevention literacy in most competency domains and perceived behavioral control increased significantly after participation in QPRT. Suicide prevention attitudes and some knowledge domains did not significantly improve. MHPs reported high satisfaction with the training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study provides initial support for offering MHPs online suicide risk assessment and management training. Online training programs may be an engaging and feasible means for providing advanced suicide prevention skills to MHPs who may have numerous barriers to accessing face-to-face training.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Social Work, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gryglewicz
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jason I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriela D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Karver
authors.affiliation: 3 Florida Council for Community Mental Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Witmeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012572:School Health Services; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: mental health professionals; online; prevention; suicide risk assessment and management; training