Experts Advocate For ‘Gatekeeper Training’ For Suicide Prevention

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Medical experts stressed on importance of imparting gatekeeper training to people terming it one of the key components of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. Friends, family, co-workers, and others can help if they know how to recognise and respond to suicide risk.

Gatekeeper training teaches people to identify individuals who are showing warning signs of suicide risk and help these individuals get the services they need. Most adults and adolescents can be trained as gatekeepers, but gatekeeper training programs are often tailored to specific groups.

Gatekeeper training include those who have regular contact with people who may be at increased risk for suicide, such as high school teachers and students; first responders; faith community leaders; and people who work with older adults, men in the middle years, and those involved in the criminal justice system.

Gatekeeper training is also valuable for staff in health and behavioral health care settings who may have contact with people at risk for suicide. These staff can help play a role in ensuring that people at risk receive appropriate screening and assessment from clinical staff and do not “fall through gaps” in the system.

CMHO Dr Prabhakar Tiwari informed Free Press, “ gatekeeper in health fraternity are Asha workers, ANM, paramedical staff who are in direct contact with masses, have watch on people and if they observe abnormal behaviour, mental health, they should bring such patients to hospitals.”

Gatekeeper training teaches people to identify individuals who are showing warning signs of suicide risk and provide them the help they need.