Suicide prevention for international students: A single-arm mixed methods evaluation of the LivingWorks safeTALK program in Australia

International students frequently report suicidal thoughts and behaviours, but often do not seek help. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted version of safeTALK suicide prevention training for international students. Eight workshops were delivered in Melbourne, Australia (N = 128; 62.5% female, M age = 23.4). In this single-arm study, surveys were completed pre-, post-, and three months post-training, and 17 participants completed follow-up interviews. The training was rated as acceptable, helpful, and safe. Linear mixed models indicated increased confidence to intervene and stronger intentions to refer individuals to formal help sources, with improvements sustained at follow-up. Suicide stigma showed a small post-training reduction that was not sustained. Suicide literacy only improved three months post-training. Attrition limited inferences about long-term effects. Qualitative feedback supported the training's value but highlighted the need for further cultural adaptation. Findings support adapted gatekeeper training as a promising strategy for suicide prevention among international students.

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Journal
Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.10082
Primary Topic
Resilience and Mental Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Suicide prevention for international students: A single-arm mixed methods evaluation of the LivingWorks safeTALK program in Australia

Christina Ng, Samuel McKay, Jo Robinson, Michelle Lamblin
Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health
Resilience and Mental Health
article

Suicide prevention for international students: A single-arm mixed methods evaluation of the LivingWorks safeTALK program in Australia

Christina Ng, Samuel McKay, Jo Robinson, Michelle Lamblin
article en

Abstract

International students frequently report suicidal thoughts and behaviours, but often do not seek help. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted version of safeTALK suicide prevention training for international students. Eight workshops were delivered in Melbourne, Australia (N = 128; 62.5% female, M age = 23.4). In this single-arm study, surveys were completed pre-, post-, and three months post-training, and 17 participants completed follow-up interviews. The training was rated as acceptable, helpful, and safe. Linear mixed models indicated increased confidence to intervene and stronger intentions to refer individuals to formal help sources, with improvements sustained at follow-up. Suicide stigma showed a small post-training reduction that was not sustained. Suicide literacy only improved three months post-training. Attrition limited inferences about long-term effects. Qualitative feedback supported the training's value but highlighted the need for further cultural adaptation. Findings support adapted gatekeeper training as a promising strategy for suicide prevention among international students.

Cambridge Prisms Global Mental HealthVol. 12
The University of Melbourne (AU), Orygen (AU)
University of Cambridge, State Government of Victoria, Medical Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Resilience and Mental Health
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Suicide prevention for international students: A single-arm mixed methods evaluation of the LivingWorks safeTALK program in Australia — Christina Ng, Samuel McKay, et al. · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS