The Suicide Prevention for College Student (SPCS) Gatekeepers Program.

Linking college students with mental health services is critical, especially now, as many students report increased mental health concerns and suicidal ideation in the wake of COVID-19. The Suicide Prevention for College Student (SPCS) Gatekeepers Program provides student education and training to help link those in need with appropriate services. This study aimed to replicate and extend pilot study results by examining the effects of the training program across a larger, more diverse sample of students. As part of three SAMHSA Mental Health and Training Grants, the program was implemented across three college campuses over three years. At posttest, those who participated in the program demonstrated increased knowledge, suicide prevention self-efficacy, and decreased stigma towards suicide. A follow-up questionnaire revealed that students continued to demonstrate program gains 12 weeks after participating, but there was a slight decline in knowledge and self-efficacy between posttest and follow-up. Attrition at follow-up should be addressed in future research, and reliability and validity of measures should be further assessed. This study provides support for the efficacy and generalizability of the SPCS Gatekeepers training program.