Associations of Suicide Prevention Trainings with Practices and Confidence among Clinicians at Community Mental Health Centers

Abstract

Objective This study examined whether (1) behavioral health providers were more likely to implement best practices when they were more confident in their abilities, (2) number of suicide prevention trainings was positively associated with perceived confidence in abilities and implementation of evidence‐based practices, and (3) specific trainings were more impactful than others on increasing providers’ level of confidence and/or practices. Method Providers (N = 137) at three rural community behavioral health centers who had opportunities to attend multiple suicide prevention trainings completed the Zero Suicide Workforce Survey, a measure to evaluate staff knowledge, practices, and confidence in caring for patients at risk of suicide. Results There was a moderate association between provider's practice and confidence. The number of attended trainings had a significant correlation with both practice and confidence. Particular trainings demonstrated differential effects on provider's practice and confidence. Conclusion These results suggest that behavioral health providers who are confident in their skills in assessing and treating suicide risk are more likely incorporate best practices into their clinical work. Also, it appears there is a small but significant benefit to multiple trainings for increasing both practice and confidence among providers.

Brief Video-Based Suicide Prevention Training for Primary Care

“…We recommend that future studies continue to track self-reported self-efficacy because this is a valuable outcome in itself and suicide prevention self-efficacy correlates with use of best practices in assessing and treating suicide risk. 22…”

Solution Focused Brief Therapy Telemental Health Suicide Intervention

“…The ten identified articles by Airey and Iqbal ( 2020 ) suggested that clinician confidence was only slightly above fifty percent although statistical significance was only found in two of the studies in their review. Training with rural health providers demonstrated that stronger clinician confidence with suicidality correlated with an increased likeliness to incorporate newer best practices (LoParo et al, 2018 ). This suggests that the research on clinician’s confidence in carrying out a suicide assessment in the moment is lacking and what exists does not offer strong direction for best practice to increase clinical competence and confidence.…”

Suicide risk assessment training using an online virtual patient simulation

“…However, as previously stated, practitioners often never receive training or support in how to properly screen or assess for suicide, and consequently, patients are missed. Research has shown that once behavioral health providers receive evidence-based training in suicide prevention, they are more likely to self-report increased confidence in working with people at risk for suicide (16).…”