Based on a recommendation from an earlier RAND report on military suicide prevention, this report reviews the literature on gatekeeper models of suicide prevention to better understand what is known about the effectiveness of gatekeepers and gatekeeper training. The report presents a theoretical model describing how gatekeeper training may influence individual characteristics that may result in intervention behaviors. It then reviews the evidence supporting each relationship presented in this model, and concludes with recommendations for advancing research in this field.
Resource Types: Guidelines/Recommendations
Defense strategy for suicide prevention (DSSP)
The DSSP is aligned with the 2012 National Strategy (NSSP) tailored to meet the unique needs of the DoD toward the aspirational goal of zero suicide.
Best practice guidelines for balancing program fidelity & adaptation
A 2-page handout featuring a step-by-step process and flow chart for selecting and adapting evidence-based programs while insuring fidelity.
Framework for successful messaging: Guidelines topic list
This directory includes communications resources for specific goals, channels, audiences, and contexts (e.g., postvention, schools).
South Dakota Department of Social Services Prevention Program Five Year Strategic Plan (2015 – 2020)
The five-year strategic plan for 2015 – 2020 for the South Dakota Department of Social Services Prevention Program to improve the behavioral health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities. It includes suicide prevention, although there is a separate state suicide prevention strategic plan written in 2013.
CDC epi-aid report on youth suicide in Fairfax county
Responding to a possible suicide cluster of youth suicides (7 deaths over 3 years) the CDC conducted an investigation known as an “Epi-Aid” of the behaviors and risk factors associated with suicides among youth in Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools. This webpage provides the results of that investigation including the final report presented to the Fairfax County Health Department and the school district and a webinar briefing was conducted on June 23, 2015 to review the findings and recommendations.
Suicide Prevention and the Clinical Workforce: Guidelines for Training
These guidelines address how to create suicide prevention training programs for various health and human services professions.
Manual for Support Groups for Suicide Attempt Survivors
The Manual for Support Groups for Attempt Survivors, developed by the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, serves to guide individuals and organizations in developing and implementing an attempt survivors’ support group in their communities. The support group is an eight-week group that offers a safe, non-judgmental place for people to talk about the feelings that led them to attempt suicide and the impact that their attempt had on their lives. The group provides an opportunity for its participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences and includes an emphasis on tools and skills (e.g., coping skills through safety planning) that can help members stay safe from a future suicide attempt.
Program Objectives
Users of the Manual for Support Groups for Suicide Attempt Survivors will acquire: 1. Knowledge of how to develop, implement, and manage a suicide attempt survivor support group, using a community implementation team model; 2. Knowledge of safety issues related to suicide attempt survivor support groups; and 3. Knowledge of resources and tools for suicide attempt survivors.
Implementation Essentials
- Before implementing a support group for attempt survivors, facilitators need to have training in assessing suicide risk and dealing with imminent risk. It is expected that support group facilitators have education and experience in mental health and suicide prevention.
2012 NSSP Objectives Addressed:
Objective 10.1: Develop guidelines for effective comprehensive support programs for individuals bereaved by suicide and promote the full implementation of these guidelines at the state/territorial, tribal, and community levels.
Information for faith-based and community leaders
These guidelines provide practical steps faith and community leaders can take in order to promote mental health recovery, help seeking and awareness of mental health issues.
Exploring the role of the railroad industry in promoting suicide prevention
This document reports on a forum where executives from U.S. railroad companies came together with suicide prevention experts to answer the guiding question, “What is known about effective suicide prevention measures, broadly speaking, and what role, if any, can the railroad industry play in supporting and advancing these efforts?” Using the public-private partnership model of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the meeting was innovative in exploring whether and how a major industry might contribute to reducing the overall societal toll of suicide. Therefore, the focus was on suicide as a broad national problem, rather than on any specific type of suicide. The goal was not to develop an industry-wide strategy, but rather for each company to become better educated about suicide prevention and decide its own next steps following the meeting. The agenda was structured to enable suicide prevention experts to educate railroad industry representatives about best practices in suicide prevention, followed by an opportunity for dialogue and brainstorming about what role the industry might play in promoting these solutions.