Pharmacists as Gate Keepers in Suicide Prevention: Assessing Support Needs of Pharmacy Teams.

Abstract

Background: Gatekeeper training is an effective suicide prevention strategy. Pharmacy teams are amongst the most visible and accessible health care providers, making them important as possible gatekeepers. Given the pharmacists' role in dispensing medication, which is a common method of suicide and suicide attempts in Flanders and internationally, they are uniquely positioned to contribute to suicide prevention-not only by restriction or management of means, but also by engaging with individuals at risk and facilitating referrals to appropriate care.

Objectives: This study aimed at assessing pharmacy teams' support needs regarding their role as gatekeepers in suicide prevention.

Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire examining their perceptions, attitudes, perceived barriers in suicide prevention, self-efficacy, and need for gatekeeper training. Furthermore, experience with suicide(prevention) and suicidal behaviour among pharmacists was investigated.

Results: A total of 110 participants gave informed consent, of whom 69 (62.7%) completed the questionnaire. While nearly three-quarters (73.6%) had encountered suicidal individuals in their pharmacy, only 9.7% felt confident addressing potential suicide risk. Moreover, many indicated that they lacked training in screening mental health issues (81.8%), did not know which actions to undertake with suicidal individuals (64.8%) or how to ask about suicidal thoughts (63.6%). Most participants indicated the need for training (91.3%), and nearly all (97.1%) were willing to follow such a training. They preferred an online training, including topics such as recognizing signs, starting a conversation about suicide and referring to other caregivers.

Conclusion: These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on the important role of pharmacists as gatekeepers in suicide prevention and provide insight into their current perceptions, attitudes and barriers. The study identifies the topics of importance for inclusion in a gatekeeper training. Overall, this study shows a clear need and willingness to participate in such a training amongst pharmacists.