Abstract
Despite increased participation and multiple workforce roles of those with lived experience in suicide prevention, there are no evaluated training programs to support this population. This study evaluated a training program aimed to prepare people for these important roles. Survey data at pre-, post- and at three- and 12-month follow-up were used measuring knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, as well as psychological distress as a safety measure. Participants experienced significant gains in knowledge after training, although not all aspects of knowledge were maintained at follow-up. Self-efficacy was examined through confidence and empowerment. Confidence gains were significant at immediate and longer-term follow-up but gains in empowerment were not maintained over time. Participants’ positive attitudes improved but this was not significant. There was no indication of increases in psychological distress in participants throughout the training and follow-up periods. Implications of these outcomes are discussed.
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This research study received funding from Roses in the Ocean.
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This study was funded by Roses in the Ocean who are the developers of the training (Our Voices in Action) being evaluated in this study. This may represent a potential or perceived conflict of interest. Author Martina McGrath is a consultant working for Roses in the Ocean. Authors Jacinta Hawgood, Martina McGrath and Jo Riley are expert workforce advisory committee members of Roses in the Ocean. All authors certify responsibility for the manuscript.
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Ethics approval for this research was granted by Griffith University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (Griffith University ethics reference number: 2018/315)
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Informed consent was requested in the context of a full and comprehensive online and hard copy information pack for participants. Full ethics approval was provided by the Griffith University Human and Research Ethics Committee.
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Hawgood, J., Gibson, M., McGrath, M. et al. Preliminary Evaluation of Lived Experience of Suicide Training: Short-, Medium- and Longer-Term Impacts of Our Voices in Action Training. Community Ment Health J 58, 875–886 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00894-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00894-7