Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions of their Role in Suicide Prevention and Intervention

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
School Mental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Teachers are identified as frontline participants in school-based suicide prevention efforts. However, their training and roles in these efforts are often not clearly defined. Because 25 states currently mandate suicide prevention training for teachers and 14 other states encourage this training, teachers’ perceptions about their role in suicide prevention are important to consider. As such, this study assessed secondary teachers’ (N = 74) perceptions of their role in suicide prevention, barriers to participating in suicide prevention, and their perceived levels of comfort and confidence in identifying and intervening with suicidal youth. Participating teachers overwhelmingly agreed that they should have a role in suicide prevention. In comparison with untrained teachers, those with previous suicide prevention training were twice as likely to have had a suicidal student or peer of a suicidal student approach them to talk about suicide. Surprisingly, years of teaching were not correlated with teachers’ comfort and confidence in identifying and supporting suicidal youth. Overall, teachers agreed that limited training, fears of making the situation worse, and fears of legal repercussions were barriers that kept teachers from intervening with potentially suicidal students. In order to help teachers effectively perform their gatekeeper role, training efforts must consider teachers’ perceptions, address perceived barriers, and facilitate teacher–student interactions that would increase the likelihood of students coming to teachers for assistance with suicidal concerns. To help schools in providing suicide prevention training for teachers, a list of recommended resources is provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, J. M. (2013, June 3). President Obama calls on teachers to help identify mental health disorders in students. Oakland, CA: EdSource. Retrieved from http://edsource.org/2013/president-obama-calls-on-teachers-to-help-identify-mental-health-disorders-seek-help-for-students/32959

  • Alisic, E., Bus, M., Dulack, W., Pennings, L., & Splinter, J. (2012). Teachers’ experience supporting children after traumatic exposure. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25, 98–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, M., Jerome, A., White, A., Marston, S., Lamb, S., Pope, D., & Rawlins, C. (2002). The preparation of school psychologists for crisis intervention. Psychology in the Schools, 39, 427–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). (2015). State laws on suicide prevention training for school personnel. Washington, DC: AFSP Public Policy Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) & Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). (2011). After a suicide: A toolkit for schools. Newton, MA: Education Development Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beidas, R. S., Cross, W., & Dorsey, S. (2014). Show me, don’t tell me: Behavioral rehearsal as a training and analogue fidelity tool. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 21, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beidas, R. S., Edmunds, J. M., Marcus, S. C., & Kendall, P. C. (2012). Training and consultation to promote implementation of an empirically supported treatment: A randomized trial. Psychiatric Services, 63(7), 660–665. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201100401.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, A. L. (2009). School-based suicide prevention: Research advances and practice implications. School Psychology Review, 38(2), 233–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, A. L., Jobes, D. A., & Silverman, M. M. (2006). Adolescent suicide: Assessment and intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., & Clark, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Youth online: High school YRBSS. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6304.pdf

  • Cigularov, K., Chen, P. Y., Thurber, B. W., & Stallones, L. (2008). What prevents adolescents from seeking help after a suicide education program? Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 38(1), 74–86. doi:10.1521/suli.2008.38.1.74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, S., & Caltabiano, N. J. (2009). The school professionals’ role in identification of youth at risk of suicide. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 34(2), 28–39. doi:10.14221/ajte.2009v34n2.3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cross, W. F., Seaburn, D., Gibbs, D., Schmeelk-Cone, K., White, A. M., & Caine, E. D. (2011). Does practice make perfect? A randomized control trial of behavioral rehearsal on suicide prevention gatekeeper skills. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 32(3–4), 195–211. doi:10.1007/s10935-011-0250-z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Deutschlander, S. (2010). An analysis of training effects on school personnel’s knowledge, attitudes, comfort, and confidence levels toward educating students about HIV/AIDS in Pennsylvania. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8(3), 444–452. doi:10.1007/s11469-009-9221-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erum, N., Gleacher, A., & Beidas, R. S. (2013). Consultation as an implementation strategy for evidence-based practices across multiple contexts: Unpacking the black box. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 40(6), 439–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, E., Hawton, K., & Rodham, K. (2005). In what ways are adolescents who engage in self-harm or experience thoughts of self-harm different in terms of help-seeking, communication and coping strategies? Journal of Adolescence, 28(4), 573–587. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.11.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freedenthal, S., & Breslin, L. (2010). High school teachers’ experiences with suicidal students: A descriptive study. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 15, 83–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, A., Heath, M. A., Williams, M., Fox, J., Hudnall, G., & Bledsoe, C. (2012). No-suicide contracts with suicidal youth: Mental health professionals’ perceptions and current practice. Contemporary School Psychology, 16, 145–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. A., & Parsons, M. E. (2012). Adolescent suicide prevention in a school setting: Use of a gatekeeper program. NASN School Nurse, 27(6), 312–317. doi:10.1177/1942602X12454459.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, B. L., Sampson, M., Greathouse, J., Legett, S., Higgerson, R. A., & Christie, L. (2007). Comfort and confidence levels of health care professionals providing pediatric palliative care in the intensive care unit. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 3(3), 39–58. doi:10.1300/J457v03n03_05.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalafat, J., & Elias, M. (1992). Adolescents’ experience with and response to suicidal peers. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 22(3), 315–321. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.1992.tb00736.x.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kidger, J., Gunnell, D., Biddle, L., Campbell, R., & Donovan, J. (2010). Part and parcel of teaching? Secondary school staff’s views on supporting student emotional health and well-being. British Educational Research Journal, 36(6), 919–935. doi:10.1080/01411920903249308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, K. A., Price, J. H., Telljohan, S. K., & Wahl, J. (1999). High school health teachers’ perceived self-efficacy in identifying students at risk for suicide. Journal of School Health, 69(5), 202–207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klimes-Dougan, B., Klingbeil, D. A., & Meller, S. J. (2013). The impact of universal suicide-prevention programs on the help-seeking attitudes and behaviors of youths. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 34(2), 82–97. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Konopinski, B. (2011). Teachers’ knowledge of adolescent suicide (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database (UMI No. 3463967).

  • Krosnick, J. A. (1999). Survey research. Annual Review of Psychology, 50, 537–567.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, P. G., Moore, J. T., Putter, S. E., Chen, P. Y., Cigularov, K. P., Baker, A., & Quinnett, P. (2010). Feasibility of a web-based gatekeeper training: Implications for suicide prevention. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 44(5), 510–523. doi:10.1111/sltb.12086.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, M. G. (2004). Teachers’ knowledge of facts and myths about suicide. Psychological Reports, 95, 651–656.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marchant, M., Heath, M. A., & Miramontes, N. (2013). Merging empiricism and humanism: Role of social validity in the school-wide positive behavior support model. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 15(4), 221–230. doi:10.1177/1098300712459356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michelmore, L., & Hindley, P. (2012). Help-seeking for suicidal thoughts and self-harm in young people: A systematic review. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42, 507–524. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.2012.00108.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. N., Eckert, T. L., DuPaul, G. J., & White, G. P. (1999). Adolescent suicide prevention: Acceptability of school-based programs among secondary school principals. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 29(1), 72–85. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.1999.tb00764.x.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nadeem, E., Kataoka, S. H., Chang, V. Y., Vona, P., Wong, M., & Stein, B. D. (2011). The role of teachers in school-based suicide prevention: A qualitative study of school staff perspectives. School Mental Health, 3(4), 209–221.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donnell, L., Stueve, A., Wardlaw, D., & O’Donnell, C. (2003). Adolescent suicidality and adult support: The reach for health study of urban youth. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27(6), 633–644.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patten, M. Q. (2011). Developmental evaluation: Applying complexity concepts to enhance innovation and use. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillippo, K. L., & Kelly, M. S. (2014). On the fault line: A qualitative exploration of high school teachers’ involvement with student mental health issues. School Mental Health, 6(3), 184–200. doi:10.1007/s12310-013-9113-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pires, S. (2011). Preventing the silent epidemic of youth suicide: An assessment of high school teachers’ knowledge of youth suicide risk and protective factors (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation). University of Hartford, CT.

  • Pisani, A. R., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Gunzler, D., Petrova, M., Goldston, D. B., Tu, X., & Wyman, P. A. (2012). Associations between suicidal high school students’ help-seeking and their attitudes and perceptions of social environment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41, 1312–1324. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9766-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Reinke, W. M., Stormont, M., Herman, K. C., Puri, R., & Goel, N. (2011). Supporting children’s mental health in schools: Teacher perceptions of needs, roles, and barriers. School Psychology Quarterly, 26(1), 1–13. doi:10.1037/a0022714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reis, C., & Cornell, D. (2008). An evaluation of suicide gatekeeper training for school counselors and teachers. Professional School Counseling, 11(6), 386–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, V. (1998). How teachers change. Focus on Basics: Connecting Research and Practice, 2(C), 1. Retrieved from http://www.ncsall.net/?id=395

  • Schmeelk-Cone, K., Pisani, A. R., Petrova, M., & Wyman, P. A. (2012). Three scales assessing high school students’ attitudes and perceived norms about seeking adult help for distress and suicide concerns. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 42(2), 157–172. doi:10.1111/j.1943-278X.2011.00079.x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Scouller, K. M., & Smith, D. I. (2002). Prevention of youth suicide: How well informed are the potential gatekeepers of adolescents in distress? Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 32(1), 67–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE). (2007). School-based crisis management recommendations on suicide. Retrieved from http://www.helppromotehope.com/documents/School_Crisis_Plan.pdf

  • Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2015). Suicide prevention basics: Scope of the problem. Waltham, MA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.sprc.org/basics/scope-problem

  • Ubido, J., & Scott-Samuel, A. (2014, October). Rapid evidence review series: Suicide prevention training (LPHO Report Series, No. 99; Rapid Evidence Review Series, NO. 3). Liverpool, UK: Liverpool Public Health Observatory.

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Surgeon General and National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (NAASP). (2012). National strategy for suicide prevention: Goals and objectives for action. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/full_report-rev.pdf

  • Walsh, E., Hooven, C., & Kronick, B. (2013). School-wide staff and faculty training in suicide risk awareness: Successes and challenges. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 26(1), 53–61. doi:10.1111/jcap.12011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walter, H. J., Gouze, K., & Lim, K. G. (2006). Teachers’ beliefs about mental health needs in inner city elementary schools. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45(1), 61–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Westefeld, J. S., Kettmann, J. D. J., Lovmo, C., & Hey, C. (2007). High school suicide: Knowledge and opinions of teachers. Journal of Loss & Trauma, 12(1), 31–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westling, D. F. (2010). Teachers and challenging behavior: Knowledge, views, and practices. Remedial and Special Education, 31(1), 148–163. doi:10.1177/0741932508327466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, S. (2010). High school teachers’ knowledge of adolescent suicide awareness and prevention (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from http://csus-dspace.calstate.edu/handle/10211.9/147

  • Wyman, P. A., Brown, C. H., Inman, J., Cross, W., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Guo, J., & Pena, J. B. (2008). Randomized trial of a gatekeeper program for suicide prevention: 1-year impact on secondary school staff. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 104–115. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.76.1.104.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wyman, P. A., Brown, C. H., Lomurray, M., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Petrova, M., Yu, Q., et al. (2010). An outcome evaluation of the Sources of Strength suicide prevention program delivered by adolescent peer leaders in high schools. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 1653–1661.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School Psychologist, Granite School District, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Victoria Hatton

  2. 340-K MCKB Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602-5093, USA

    Melissa A. Heath

  3. 340-G MCKB Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602-5093, USA

    Gordon S. Gibb

  4. 2087 JFSB School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA

    Sarah Coyne

  5. HOPE4UT, Suicide Prevention, Provo, UT, USA

    Greg Hudnall & Cathy Bledsoe

Authors
  1. Victoria Hatton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Melissa A. Heath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gordon S. Gibb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sarah Coyne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Greg Hudnall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cathy Bledsoe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melissa A. Heath.

Ethics declarations

Informed consent

All individual participants who were included in the study gave their informed consent.

Additional information

Victoria Hatton and Melissa A. Heath are co-first authors.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Pilot survey

Teacher Survey Questions

figure a
figure b

Appendix 2: Final survey

Teacher Survey Questions

figure c
figure d

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hatton, V., Heath, M.A., Gibb, G.S. et al. Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions of their Role in Suicide Prevention and Intervention. School Mental Health 9, 97–116 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-015-9173-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-015-9173-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation