Community Mental Health Provider Responses to a Competency-Based Training in Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention

Community Ment Health J. 2019 Feb;55(2):257-266. doi: 10.1007/s10597-018-0314-0. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Abstract

The present study evaluates of a competency-based suicide prevention training. A sample of community mental healthcare providers took part in a suicide risk assessment and prevention training, completing pre-post measures of knowledge, competency/skill and attitudes, as well as baseline interprofessional education (IPE) socialization. Training yielded moderate-to-large improvements in suicide-related knowledge, perceived risk assessment/prevention skills, attitudes toward helping patients, and professional capacity to work with suicidal patients. Small pre-post differences were observed recognizing the need for additional training. IPE socialization moderated impacts on professional capacity. This study offers support for the promising impacts of competency-based and IPE-specific training.

Keywords: Competency; Interprofessional education; Suicide prevention; Training.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Community Health Workers / education*
  • Community Health Workers / psychology
  • Community Mental Health Centers
  • Competency-Based Education / methods*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Suicide*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires