OC03 - Digital Interventions and Online Training
Online Gatekeeper Training Programs: A Systematic Review and SynthesisA promising intervention for preventing suicide is gatekeeper training. Gatekeeper training programs encourage the development of knowledge, attitudes, and skills to identify those at risk of suicide, respond directly, and refer them to appropriate services. Evidence has demonstrated that gatekeeper training programs can result in an increase in knowledge about suicide, a reduction in reluctance to intervene, a reduction of stigma surrounding suicide, and an increase in self-efficacy to intervene appropriately with people struggling with suicide. Gatekeeper training programs have traditionally been offered as in-person workshops, often conducted over 1-2 days. Lack of time and resources to attend face-to-face meetings are the most critical barrier to attending gatekeeper training. Recent evaluations of online and condensed trainings (i.e., 90 minutes) demonstrate that they have comparable effectiveness to in-person/longer trainings. However, it remains uncertain which specific components or features make online gatekeeper training programs effective. We are conducting a systematic review to consolidate the existing evidence on what aspects contribute to their success or failure. Our approach included systematically searching 6 databases, along with performing reference checks. We focused on reports evaluating online gatekeeper training programs. The selection process for this review encompassed two distinct stages: initial screening of abstracts and subsequent evaluation of full texts, each performed independently by two reviewers. Following this, a comprehensive assessment was conducted to gauge the quality of the studies and extract pertinent data. In total, 39 articles were identified and included in the review. Employing thematic synthesis, our analysis aims to uncover overarching themes that either facilitate or impede the efficacy of these online trainings. In this presentation, we will present findings derived from this review. Our objective is to provide insights that can guide and invigorate the development of evidence-based online gatekeeper trainings for diverse populations and audience.