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. 2010 Oct 1;40(7):2223-2238.
doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcq016. Epub 2010 Feb 19.

Training Outcomes from the Samaritans of New York Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programme Among Community- and School-based Staff

Tanisha R Clark  1 , Monica M Matthieu  2 , Alan Ross  3 , Kerry L Knox  4
Affiliations

Training Outcomes from the Samaritans of New York Suicide Awareness and Prevention Programme Among Community- and School-based Staff

Tanisha R Clark et al. Br J Soc Work. .

Abstract

The Samaritans of New York public education suicide awareness and prevention programme is designed to train lay and professional staff on effective suicide prevention practices and how to "befriend" a person in crisis. However, little is known about the individual level characteristics of staff who attend these trainings. Community- and school-based staff (N=365) completed pre and post training measures of self-efficacy regarding their knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention and their ability to intervene with individuals at risk for suicide. Results indicate increased self-efficacy after suicide prevention training (M=3.7, SD=0.6) than before (M=3.3, SD=0.7) (t= -13.24, p<.05). Trainees with higher levels of education and previous contact with suicidal individuals were significantly more likely to indicate gains in self-efficacy after training.

Keywords: Samaritans; evaluation; suicide; suicide prevention; training.

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