YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION: GATEKEEPER TRAINING

Linda Williams

INTENDED AUDIENCE: CWTI programs are offered to OFCS-CWS (Office of Child and Family Services - Child Welfare Services) child welfare staff, all foster and adoptive parents, and OFCS-CWS contracted agencies

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This training is one of a comprehensive set of strategies sponsored by the Maine Children's Cabinet to prevent youth suicide in Maine. The training is a basic suicide prevention program that will explore common misconceptions about suicide, identify warning signs, clues, risk and protective factors, and teach intervention steps to prevent a suicide attempt. The training also acknowledges the impact and aftermath of suicidal behavior as well as a completed suicide. Each participant will receive printed resource materials they can use in their work with children, teens, and young adults. The program is interactive with opportunities for discussion and practice of intervention skills.

Gatekeepers are individuals, who by the nature of their job, their special interest in people, or in their personal relationships and friendships are in a position to recognize suicidal behavior, respond and refer for help. They may make the difference between life and death. Participants will not be expected to be "suicide experts" at the conclusion of the day, but can expect to have increased confidence in their ability to recognize and manage suicidal behavior. Preventing suicide is everyone's business and anyone can be a gatekeeper.