Mental Health Professionals’ Experiences of Suicide Prevention Training; Implementation of Knowledge and Skills in Practice – A Qualitative Study

I am a Clinical Psychologist in training completing my thesis on ‘‘Mental Health Professionals’ Experiences of suicide prevention training; knowledge, skills, and implementation in practice’’. I am hoping to recruit 15-20 professionals working within mental health settings, who have completed suicide prevention training, to take part in a short, online, one to one interview.

I have attached an information sheet (including a participant consent form and leaflet outlining relevant support services) which contains more detailed information on this research and its importance in the context of Ireland’s national suicide prevention strategy. I would be very grateful if you could circulate this among your members in order to inform as many Speech and Language Therapists working within a Mental Health setting as possible.

Introduction:

Part of Ireland’s national suicide prevention plan, Connecting for Life, involves providing suicide
prevention training to gatekeepers – those who are likely to come face to face with those with
suicidal distress, in their day to day lives. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, which
suggests that behavioural intent is measured by self-efficacy, knowledge, attitudes, and confidence, existing evaluations of gatekeeper suicide prevention training tends to measure these concepts. However, while research has shown increases in these concepts after training, insight into actual behaviour changes, such as increased identification of and appropriate management of suicidal distress, are largely unknown.

Why should I participate?

This research hopes to inform the development and implementation of suicide prevention trainings, to best meet the needs of mental health professionals, in the Irish context, going forwards.

Research Aim:

This research aims to gain a better understanding of how suicide prevention training is experienced and used by mental health professionals who complete it.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (carolyn.holland@hse.ie/087 3731005).

This research study has received Ethics approval from the Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee [2024_01_22_EHS]. If you have any concerns about this study and wish to contact someone independent you may contact:

 Chairperson, Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee EHS Faculty Office, University of Limerick.

Tel (061) 234101

Email: ehsresearchethics@ul.ie