Initial Examination of a Culturally-Informed Gatekeeper Training for Youth Suicide Prevention in Guyana
Abstract
Adolescent suicide is a pressing concern in Guyana. Gatekeeper trainings for suicide prevention conducted in high-income countries have been found to increase knowledge of suicide prevention, increase referrals of at-risk youth, and reduce stigma toward helpseeking for suicidality. The current study sought to engage in an initial examination of the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a culturally-informed gatekeeper training suicide prevention program for Guyanese youth. Secondary school teachers and staff {n= 16) were trained in a culturally-informed, evidence-based gatekeeper suicide prevention program. Quantitative and qualitative results revealed significant increases in knowledge of suicide prevention, as well as decreases in rigid or judgmental attitudes toward suicide, post-training among secondary school teachers and staff. Further, results indicated that participants deemed the program the culturally acceptable and feasible for use in the school setting. Findings have implications for the delivery and implementation of culturally-informed gatekeeper training programs for suicide prevention in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs).
Subject Area
School counseling|Clinical psychology
Recommended Citation
Persaud, Sarika, "Initial Examination of a Culturally-Informed Gatekeeper Training for Youth Suicide Prevention in Guyana" (2019). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI27771577.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI27771577
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