Evaluating the Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Trainings as Part of an American Indian/Alaska Native Youth Suicide Prevention Program.

According to the Centers for Disease Control suicide rates in 2022 for American Indian/Alaska Native youth are 2.5 times higher than the national average. An Urban Indian Health Organization's response to this crisis was to provide community and State-wide Gatekeeper trainings between 2012 and 2019 to teach trainees (N = 810) to respond appropriately to youth at-risk of suicide. We report data on pre-, post-, and six-month follow-up surveys with trainees. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models repeated measures to test within-subject, and between-subject mean score changes on suicide prevention-related measures "knowledge," "ask directly," "respond," "comfort," and "preparedness." Results indicated improved capacity to be prepared to address suicide in the short term and that having a graduate degree enhanced baseline suicide prevention knowledge. Over time those with less education benefited the most and better retained content. Future Trainings should engage young people and those with less education to realize the largest benefit.

Cognitive memory screening and referral program in community pharmacies in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: 12 chain community pharmacy sites located in two geographic areas with the United States implemented easy-to-administer memory screening assessments for patients with risk factors of cognitive memory decline and referred at-risk patients to their physicians. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the impact of a pharmacy-based cognitive memory screening and referral program, measure patient satisfaction with these advanced clinical services, and assess willingness to pay for cognitive memory screening services. SETTING: 12 chain pharmacy sites located in two geographic areas--ten Fred Meyer Pharmacies located in the Portland, Oregon area and two Kerr Drug Pharmacies located in North Carolina. METHOD: Pharmacists were educated on Alzheimer's disease, trained on how to provide cognitive memory screening exams, and equipped with screening and documentation tools. Following each screening, pharmacist provided education and counseling to the patients and referred at-risk patients to physicians for follow-up as appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of screenings; satisfaction of patients; willingness to pay. RESULTS: Pharmacists delivered cognitive memory assessments to 161 patients from June to November 2008. 44.1 % of patients experienced at least one cognitive deficiency that required referral to a physician based on the screening conducted. The cognitive memory screening and referral program was highly regarded by patients who completed the satisfaction survey, with 98.4 % of respondents indicating that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the program. CONCLUSION: Cognitive memory screening can be easily incorporated into clinical service offerings in community pharmacy practice and provides a valuable opportunity to identify patients at-risk and refer them to a physician for appropriate testing and diagnosis.