The Efficacy of ASIST Training for Students in Allied Health and Related Fields

Background/Problem: Suicide remains a significant public health concern, claiming 45,979 lives in the United States in 2020 alone. The importance of addressing this issue is reinforced by its ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with a prevalence among individuals aged 15-24. Research shows only few states have current mandates for suicide prevention training for health professionals, which leaves most without the necessary training to help those at risk. While primary care providers play a crucial role in suicide prevention, current data indicates a gap in their training, which emphasizes a need for a comprehensive approach to education and intervention for health care professionals. Objectives: The primary objective of this research project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based gatekeeper training that has been found to improve participants attitudes, knowledge, and comfort levels regarding suicide. Additionally, it aims to improve allied health students' attitudes towards suicide and ensure they maintain competence in suicide intervention by enhancing their confidence levels. The study aims to bridge the gap in formal education in relation to suicide prevention. Methodology: A non-experimental mixed method design was employed, involving allied health students from the College of Health and Behavioral Studies. Two quantitative assessments, the Attitudes Towards Suicide Scale (ATTS) and the Suicide Response Intervention Inventory (SIRI-2), were utilized to measure participants' attitudes and intervention competency. Assessments were administered pre and post ASIST training, along with a follow-up three months post-training for the SIRI-2, to evaluate the sustainability of acquired skills. Impact: This research project aims to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of ASIST Training in enhancing suicide prevention attitudes and competency among allied health students. By applying established theoretical frameworks and robust methodology, the study aspires to address the critical need for comprehensive suicide prevention training in the formal education of future health practitioners. The outcomes of this research may pave the way for broader integration of suicide prevention training into allied health academic curricula, ultimately playing a pivotal role in reducing suicide rates and improving the overall mental health field. Results: Through data analysis processes, significant change in overall attitudes towards suicide were found (p=0.007); however, no significant differences were observed in individual attitude categories, or in regards to maintaining intervention competency (p = 0.223) regarding suicide prevention. Conclusion: This study indicates that a collective shift in attitude regarding suicide improved among participants; however, this change was not constant across all individuals. Further, in regards to maintaining competency in retained skills, results suggests that participants did not exhibit significant improvement in their perceived skills for intervening in suicide situations. Our findings align with prior research on emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts in suicide prevention education. Further research is required to enhance greater clarity on the effectiveness of ASIST training for healthcare professionals.