Suicide intervention: Training,roles, and knowledge of school psychologists |
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| Authors: | Jennifer Debski Candy Dubord Spadafore Susan Jacob Debra A Poole Michael D Hixson |
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| Institution: | 1. Wyoming Public Schools, Wyoming, Michigan;2. Farmington Public Schools, Farmington, Michigan;3. Central Michigan UniversityPsychology Department, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859;4. Central Michigan University |
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| Abstract: | Practitioner‐members of the National Association of School Psychologists (N = 162) completed questionnaires regarding their suicide prevention and postvention roles, training, preparedness, and knowledge. Most were crisis team members, yet less than one‐half reported graduate training in suicide risk assessment and less than one‐fourth in postvention. Compared to nondoctoral‐level practitioners, doctoral‐trained practitioners felt better prepared to handle suicidal students. Most respondents had participated in a suicide risk assessment in the past 2 years, with few using standardized measures. Performance was moderately strong on questions about knowledge of risk factors, warning signs, and appropriate steps to respond to a suicidal student, but respondents showed less familiarity with postvention recommendations intended to discourage contagion. Training suggestions were identified. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 157–170, 2007. |
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