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Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM): An Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Means Restriction Training Program for Mental Health Providers

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Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) suicide prevention program. CALM trains mental health providers how to counsel suicidal individuals and those who support them on mean restriction during times of crisis. Pre/post/3-month follow-up assessments measured knowledge of lethal means, confidence and comfort in discussing means restriction (self-efficacy), and future intentions to counsel clients on means restriction. Change in the number of clients receiving lethal means counseling was also assessed. All constructs increased significantly at posttest. Confidence and counseling intentions were sustained at follow-up and significantly more clients received means counseling in the 3 months following the CALM training. Knowledge and comfort levels decreased at follow-up but not to pre-training levels. CALM is effective at increasing mental health professionals’ comfort, knowledge, and frequency of talking about means restriction with clients. an effective means restriction training program. A template to assess clients for suicidality and lethal means access and booster sessions are recommended to further sustain effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 4833 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, MO, 63134, USA

    Elizabeth Sale, Michelle Hendricks, Virginia Weil, Collin Miller, Scott Perkins & Suzanne McCudden

  2. Missouri Institute of Mental Health, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, MO, 63134-3115, USA

    Elizabeth Sale

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  1. Elizabeth Sale
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  2. Michelle Hendricks
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  3. Virginia Weil
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  6. Suzanne McCudden
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Sale.

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Sale, E., Hendricks, M., Weil, V. et al. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM): An Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Means Restriction Training Program for Mental Health Providers. Community Ment Health J 54, 293–301 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0190-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0190-z

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