An evaluation of the longitudinal efficacy of a suicide prevention gatekeeper training in the construction industry

Suicide is a global public health concern, with over 700,000 people dying by suicide each year. Workers in specific occupation groups and industries have elevated risk of death by suicide, with the construction industry having the 2nd highest rate of death by suicide among all industry groups in the United States. This paper describes the 3-month longitudinal effects of a construction-specific suicide prevention training known as VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in Construction as evaluated at three time points: immediately pre-training, immediately post-training, and at three months post-training. Participants were 287 training attendees between August 5, 2022, and August 1, 2024, who had matched immediately pre-, post-training, and 3-month follow-up evaluation responses. A mixed method immediately pre-, immediately post-training, and 3-month follow-up design was used to assess the longer-term impact of the training program. Results suggest that training participant outcome improvements were maintained from baseline over time, despite some decline compared to immediately post-training, and resulted in self-reported behavioral interventions by both peers within the construction industry and from program trainees to those outside of the industry. The current findings align with existing literature suggesting that positive gains can be maintained at least over a 3-month period, increased knowledge likely impacts attitudes and behaviors and provides additional support for the efficacy of similar training programs. Impacts on workplace mental health include the importance of peer support, the inclusion of training as a multi-faceted suicide prevention effort, and the focus on industry-specific prevention.