Gatekeeper Training

Who are "Gatekeepers"?
In suicide prevention, "Gatekeepers" are those people who first come into contact with a person at risk of suicide. They may be parents, professionals or concerned community members. The role of Gatekeepers is to identify and appropriately respond to people at risk of suicide and to consult with, and refer people at risk to other services or professionals. Professional Gatekeepers, such as school staff, may also be required to conduct risk assessments as part of their role

What is Gatekeeper Training?
Gatekeeper training is based on the premise that individuals at risk of suicide come into contact with a range of community people who have the capacity to direct them towards help (Toumbourou et al, 2000). The Gatekeeper training is based on a biopsychological model of suicide; that suicide has many causes and is based on a lifetime of risk factors. The amount of time or emphasis on particular modules depends on the identified training needs of participants.

The purpose of Gatekeeper training is not to train people to act as counselors but rather to raise awareness of people at risk and refer for professional treatment. This linkage to professional help is fundamental to the success of gatekeeper training as a suicide prevention strategy.

Research has found that gatekeeper training results in a stable and significant increase in participant's readiness to intervene with a person at risk. Evaluations of gatekeeper training workshops show significant improvements in intervention skills including improvements in knowledge, skills and willingness to make referrals.

MCSP Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Workshop (2 days)
This two-day workshop provides participants with a range of skills and knowledge that aims to improve their ability and confidence to work with suicidal people. Primarily, participants will learn how to identify and respond to people who are at risk of suicide.

The workshop includes an overview of suicide, risk and protective factors, warning signs, mental disorder, risk assessment, intervention for low, medium and high risk, self-harm and postvention. Participants receive extensive resource material as well as the opportunity to develop local strategies to address suicide. It is anticipated that those attending the workshop are competent in basic communication skills.

This workshop is suitable for you if:

• You want to increase your understanding of suicidal behaviour or self-harm,
• You want to either identify when people are at risk of suicide, do a risk assessment or take steps to intervene when someone is suicidal,
• You need to be involved in critical incidents associated with suicide in your community or agency.

Booking Info

MCSP Advanced Skills training Workshop (1 day)
This one-day workshop targets professionals who have completed the Gatekeeper Workshop and/or who work extensively with people at risk of self-harm or suicide. The aim of this workshop is to enhance participants' understanding of suicidal behaviour and intervention. Topics covered by the workshop include refreshing understanding of suicide and advanced risk assessment skills, ethical issues, case studies and the therapeutic relationship with clients at risk. Some pre-workshop reading is required.

This workshop is suitable for you if:

• You work therapeutically with people at chronic risk of suicide,
• You wish to further develop your understanding of suicide and suicide intervention.

This training is run based on demand.
Please contact us to register your interest in attending this course.

MCSP Gatekeeper Refresher Workshop (1 day)
This one-day workshop aims to update and refresh skills and knowledge gained in the Gatekeeper. Research shows that suicide prevention skills and knowledge decline after about three years. The workshop includes updates on the epidemiology and literature in suicide, reviewing the risk assessment process and participants' experience with the model.

This workshop is suitable for you if:

• It's been more than three years since your last suicide prevention workshop,
• You'd like an opportunity for peer supervision around your use of the Gatekeeper model.

This training is run based on demand.
Please contact us to register your interest in attending this course.

Agency Requested Training

Workshops can be provided to agencies requiring training for whole of staff or tertiary students. This can range from two hour lectures to the full two day Gatekeeper Workshop. Workshop aims and objectives can be negotiated to meet the needs of the requesting agency.

This format is suitable for you if:

• You have a number of staff you need to be trained.
• You have a number of tertiary students requiring training as part of pre-service suicide prevention education and training.

Click here for booking terms and conditions

Contact Details
Workshop Enquiries:
Kate Miller
Manager, Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training Unit
Ph: (08) 9266 1919; Email: kate.miller@curtin.edu.au

 Kim Adey
Clinical Education & Training Officer
Ph: (08) 9266 1918; Email: kim.adey@curtin.edu.au

Workshop Registrations:
Nikki George
Administration Officer
Ph: (08) 9266 1920; Email: N.George@curtin.edu.au

Evaluation reports of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper training.

1 Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, University of Wollongong. (1999). National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy Resources Guide on Education and Training: NSW

2 Chadwick, R. and Goldflam, A. (1999). Final report of the Education and Training for Professionals in Western Australia Project. Health Department of Western Australia: Perth.

3 English, B. and Kaleveld, L. (2003). Evaluation of the Regional Trainers' Sustainability Plan. Final Report. Institute for the Service Professions, Edith Cowan University.

Evaluation reports of Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

1 Breton, J.J., Boyers, R., Bilodeau, H., Raymond, S., Houbert, N. & Nantel, M.A (2002). Is evaluative research on youth suicide programs theory-driven? The Canadian experience. Suicide & Life Threatening Behaviour., 32 (2), pp 176-190.

2 Gould, M.S. and Kramer, R.A. (2001). Youth Suicide Prevention. Suicide and Life Threatening Behaviour. 31(1Suppl), pp 6-31

3 Tierney, J.P., Grossman, J.B & Resch, N.L. (1995). Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Public/Private Ventures: Philadelphia

4 Toumbouro, J.W., Patton, G., Sayer, S., Olsson, C., Webb-Pullman, J., Catalano, R. & Goldfrey, C. (2000). Evidenced-Based Interventions for Promoting Adolescent Health. Centre for Adolescent Health: Victoria.

5 Turley, B and Tanney, B. (1998). SIFTA Evaluation Report. Lifeline Australia: Melbourne