‘Listen closer’: home-delivered meal volunteers’ understanding of their role in suicide intervention

Abstract

Suicide in later life is a pressing public health concern, which has likely been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many older adults who need mental health treatment do not have access to necessary services and training for mental health providers to support older adults experiencing suicidality is limited. One solution is developing interventions based in a public health approach to suicide prevention, whereby natural helpers who provide community services are mobilised to respond to older persons-at-risk. Home-delivered meal (HDM) services, for example, are one effective means to reach older adults who are isolated due to being homebound and may be instrumental in preventing suicide. This study examined the experiences of 20 HDM volunteers who received Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based suicide intervention programme. Phenomenological analysis yielded findings centred on three areas demonstrating the impact of the ASIST training on HDM volunteers: putting asist skills into practice; response to ASIST skills; and role transformation. Implications for integrating suicide prevention efforts with HDM services and directions for future research are discussed.

Talking really does matter: Lay perspectives from older people on talking about suicide in later life

“…Some studies in suicide research have found that people may perceive their end of life positively and are open to discussing the issues (Van Der Geest, 2002 ; Gilleard, 2022 ). Innovative approaches to suicide prevention that bring care into the home have been recommended (Salvatore, 2015 ; Westcott et al, 2022 ). This could involve training carers or volunteers who interact on a regular basis with socially isolated older people in the role for what Westcott et al ( 2022 ) terms “natural helpers”.…”

“…Innovative approaches to suicide prevention that bring care into the home have been recommended (Salvatore, 2015 ; Westcott et al, 2022 ). This could involve training carers or volunteers who interact on a regular basis with socially isolated older people in the role for what Westcott et al ( 2022 ) terms “natural helpers”. They referred to those who have access to people at risk of suicide by virtue of a role (e.g., occupation) and personal characteristics (i.e., empathy) that equip them to connect with those people.…”