[Practice and evaluation of the suicide prevention gatekeeper training program incorporating dialogue].

Abstract

Objective　This study aimed to examine the practice and evaluation of the suicide prevention gatekeeper training program incorporating dialogue conducted as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention project.Methods　To provide individual support for suicide prevention, supporters' flexibility should be improved. The Niigata City Mental Health Center aims to improve traditional lecture-based human resource development programs for suicide prevention. In fiscal year (FY) 2017, we developed a "Gatekeeper Training Textbook for Suicide Prevention" that incorporates dialogue. Training programs using this textbook have been conducted since FY 2018. A self-administered questionnaire survey was administered to 975 participants in training programs from FY 2018-2022. The survey included the type of institution, understanding of responding to suicide risk, decrease/no decrease in difficulty in responding to suicide risk, and opinions and impressions of the programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the difference in the proportions of decrease/no decrease in difficulty in responding to suicide risk by institutions was examined. Descriptions of the program's learning and awareness were analyzed qualitatively.Results　There were 761 (78.1%) respondents. Regarding their understanding of responding to suicide risk, 95.9% of the respondents answered, "I understood better." Questions about the decrease/no decrease in difficulty in responding to suicide risk revealed that youth- and child-rearing support institutions scored higher than other institutions, whereas school-related institutions scored lower than other institutions regarding the rate of decrease in "2; asking individuals who have self-harmed about their wounds," "4; appropriately assessing the urgency of suicide risk," "6; asking about their desire to die," and "7; asking about their plans to commit suicide." Comments and opinions about the program were divided into four categories.Conclusion　We have developed a new method for suicide prevention gatekeeper training that incorporates dialogue and involves training with various community supporters. The number of respondents who answered that the difficulty decreased regarding receptive responses and cooperation with other institutions increased after training. Additionally, the respondents' understanding of their responses and cooperation were reported in free-written descriptions. However, training content and evaluation methods that match each organization's characteristics should be considered because there were differences in the tendency of decreases in difficulty after training between institutions.