Table 2 Characteristics of the evaluations of gatekeeper training programs targeting Indigenous individuals
Study | Population | Study design | Training details | Gatekeeper participants | Aims | Summary of outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capp et al. 2001 [20] | Australian Indigenous Youth | Self-reported, baseline with follow-up investigation | Workshops | Community members, professionals and university students N = 44 (F = 40, M = 4) Mean age = 36 years | Reduce youth suicide through increased ability to identify at risk individuals, and refer to professional help | Significant increase in knowledge, increase in self-efficacy, no changes in behavioural intentions, significant decrease in intention to refer to medical services |
Deane et al. 2006 [21] | Australian Indigenous Youth | Self-reported, baseline and follow-up investigation | Workshops | N = 40 (91 % follow-up) community members | Identify long term effects of inclination to perform gatekeeper training behaviours as a result of the intervention program | The increase in helping at risk people, intentions to help and confidence to identify at risk individuals was sustained at 2 years follow-up. Significant relationship between intentions to help prior to workshop and actually helping someone at risk was witnessed. |
Westerman 2007 [22] | Youth & Australian Indigenous Community members | Pre/post training questionnaires | Workshops | Indigenous Psychological Services N = 997 to date N = 769 follow-up | Train mental health service providers to target at risk individuals and prevent suicide | Increase in skills, confidence, intention to help, intention to refer to professional, and better understanding of ‘cultural myths’ of suicidal behaviour |
Muehlenkamp et al. 2009 [23] | Native American College students | Assess knowledge scores | Workshops | N = 90 AIa students, ‘Medicine Wheel’ & QPRb | Increase AIa suicide prevention program use | Reported high levels of satisfaction post study, increased knowledge and student learning |
Lafromboise and Lewis 2008 [24] | Zuni Native American youth | School-based skills training | Curriculum based | School-based employees, N = 128 | Increase cultural awareness and acceptance of need for suicide prevention | Positive impact on hopelessness, suicidal ideation and students’ abilities to intervene in a peer suicidal crisis situation |
Sareen et al. 2013 [26] | Canadian First Nations members, age <16 years old | Self-reported, Case/Control analysis | 2 days of ASISTc training vs 2 days of Resilience Retreat (control) | RCT: N = 31 ASISTc participants N = 24 Resilience retreat control participants | Investigate a controlled evaluation of ASISTc gatekeeper training | Based on ITTd analysis, a significant impact on suicide intervention capabilities was not seen between those on the Retreat and those provided ASISTc training. Trends towards increased self-reported suicidal ideation for those on ASISTc training. |