Suicide is a significant issue in the United States and worldwide, and its prevention is a public health imperative. The Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care was developed to address gaps in education and tools to assist primary care providers and other clinic staff in identifying and managing patients at risk for suicide. Given the high suicide rates in rural areas, coupled with the evidence that many people who die by suicide visit their primary care provider in the month prior to their death, primary care health settings offer an important prevention and intervention opportunity for patients at varying levels of risk for suicide. This article details (a) the evolution of a project that began with identifying a need for tools and training in suicide prevention and brief intervention by rural primary care providers, (b) the development of the Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care, (c) the effectiveness of a training based the toolkit to improve suicide prevention knowledge and skills of primary care providers and other employees in health care settings, and (d) recommendations for future research and dissemination strategies of suicide prevention and intervention in primary care and other health settings.

Abstract. Background: American college students are presenting with increasingly lower levels of mental health and higher levels of anxiety and depression. Close to 30% of college students report having seriously considered suicide in their lifetime. It is critical to train peer gatekeepers to recognize and react to mental health emergency scenarios on college campuses. Aims: The Suicide Prevention for College Student Gatekeepers training program was designed to provide college students with information about the warning signs of suicide, as well as how to intervene when indicated. The program incorporates research specific to college students and suicide risk, utilizes a college student co-leader alongside a licensed psychologist, and maximizes discussion and role-play to support student learning and engagement. Method: The program was piloted with 65 undergraduate students and the results of the program are discussed. Results: Students who participated in the program reported increased feelings of suicide prevention competence both immediately after the training and at a 12-week follow-up. Additionally, students demonstrated increased knowledge about suicide and decreased stigma. Finally, students indicated high levels of acceptability of the program. Limitations: The lack of diversity and small sample size within this pilot should be addressed in future studies. Conclusion: This pilot study offers promising results for an efficient, college-student focused suicide prevention gatekeeper training program.

Despite an abundance of literature documenting the prevalence and dangers of youth tobacco use, there is a relative dearth of literature in the area of effective cessation treatments for youth (Fiore et al. in Clinical tobacco guideline: treating tobacco use and dependence, 2008). Additionally, although it has been widely accepted that mental illness is highly correlated with tobacco use and dependence, little research has been done to support prevention and cessation efforts for youth with mental illnesses. This paper summarizes the literature on tobacco use and cessation in youth, with a focus on describing the existing knowledge base for youth with mental illnesses.

Merged qualitative and quantitative findings support past literature regarding youth in the general population but also expand upon our knowledge of issues specific to youth and young adults with mental health disorders and addictions. Findings suggest interventions warranting further attention in community treatment settings.