Implementing an early intervention program for residential students who present with suicide risk: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: This case study examined the effects of an early intervention program designed to respond to residential college students demonstrating risk for suicide. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 108 undergraduates at a large northeastern public university referred to an early intervention program subsequent to presenting with risk factors for suicide between Fall 2004 and Spring 2011. METHODS: Data were collected from archival records to examine quality of early intervention services, student retention, and grade point average (GPA) during the semesters prior to, during, and subsequent to the referral incident. RESULTS: Program implementation was timely and responsive to student needs; students successfully completing the early intervention program remained in school and demonstrated small but significant rebounds in GPA the semester subsequent to the incident. CONCLUSIONS: There are benefits associated with the implementation of early intervention programs designed to respond to students manifesting risk for suicide, such as connecting the student to vital services and support networks.

Implementing an audience-specific small-group gatekeeper training program to respond to suicide risk among college students: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: This case study evaluated the effectiveness of an audience-specific, single-session, small-group interactive gatekeeper training program conducted at a large northeastern public university. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 335 faculty, staff, and students completing gatekeeper training programs tailored to their group needs. METHODS: Baseline assessments of knowledge about suicide, risk factors, resources for assistance, and comfort in intervening with a student in distress were administered to participants prior to the small-group training sessions; posttest assessments of knowledge and comfort in intervening with students in distress were administered upon completion of training and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge and comfort upon completion of training for both faculty/staff and student groups, although degradation of training effects at 3-month follow-up was evident. CONCLUSIONS: There are benefits associated with the implementation of audience-specific gatekeeper training programs. Booster training sessions to address skill degradation over time are recommended.

A personal retrospective: in the eye of the accreditation storm (Part II of II).

Intended for those who already see the value of standards for correctional health care and the impact accreditation can have on the field, this article is a personal reflection from the perspective of a recently retired director of accreditation for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Based on 11 years in that role, the author discusses issues and controversies in the field. Part I addresses the relationships between correctional and community health care, explores the essence and role of standards, and examines aspects of accreditation. Part II addresses Evolution to Revolution, Keys to Continued Progress, and Solving Correctional Health Care Puzzles.

A personal retrospective: in the eye of the accreditation storm (Part I of II).

Intended for those who already see the value of standards for correctional health care and the impact accreditation can have on the field, this article is a personal reflection from the perspective of a recently retired director of accreditation for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Based on 11 years in that role, the author discusses issues and controversies in the field. Part I addresses the relationships between correctional and community health care, explores the essence and role of standards, and examines aspects of accreditation. Part II (to be published in Volume 15, Issue 3) focuses on the current "revolution'' in correctional health care, keys to continued progress, and how to deal with correctional health care puzzles.