Training student pharmacists in suicide awareness and prevention

Abstract

Objective. To determine whether students gained knowledge, confidence, and skills in identifying and preventing suicide in patients, peers, friends, and family after receiving training in suicide prevention. Methods. Student pharmacists participated in a 3.5-hour suicide prevention training program. A preand post-intervention assessment and pre-and post-intervention survey were administered before and after completion of the training program. Questions were designed to assess knowledge of, comfort with, and confidence in assessing and intervening with individuals at risk of suicide. A standardized patient prescription counseling session was conducted two weeks after the training session. Videos of the counseling sessions were reviewed to determine whether student pharmacists assessed the patient for suicide risk. Additionally, a post-counseling reflection was completed asking students to reflect on incorporation of the suicide prevention training into their prescription counseling session. Results. One-hundred seventy-one student pharmacists participated in the training. Knowledge increased across all areas as evidenced by improved scores on the post-intervention knowledge assessment. Students’ comfort level with asking about suicidal ideation and their confidence with intervening significantly increased from the pre-to post-intervention survey. After the training, 40% stated they knew someone who may need help and 21% said they had decided to seek help for themselves. Conclusion. The training program increased student pharmacists’ knowledge of and confidence in assessing and counseling individuals considering suicide. Encouraging student pharmacists to participate in prevention training may aid future providers in preventing death by suicide.