An Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Education for People Working With Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Nicholas Procter; Miriam Posselt; Monika Ferguson; Heather McIntyre; Mary-Anne Kenny; Rachel Curtis; Mark Loughhead; Noel Clement; Vicki Mau

doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000777

An Evaluation of Suicide Prevention Education for People Working With Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Crisis. 2022 May;43(3):205-213. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000777. Epub 2021 May 4.

Authors

Nicholas Procter¹, Miriam Posselt², Monika Ferguson¹, Heather McIntyre¹, Mary-Anne Kenny³, Rachel Curtis⁴, Mark Loughhead¹, Noel Clement⁵, Vicki Mau⁶

Affiliations

¹ UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
² Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
³ School of Law, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
⁴ UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
⁵ Migration, Emergencies and Movement Relations, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁶ Migration Support Programs, Carlton, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Background: There are concerning rates of suicidality among asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, and tailored suicide prevention initiatives are needed. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the impact of a tailored suicide prevention education program for people working with asylum seekers and refugees. Method: Attendees of the education program completed self-report questionnaires at pretraining, posttraining, and 4-6 months follow-up. Results: Over 400 workers, volunteers, and students across Australia took part in the education program. A series of linear mixed-effects models revealed significant improvements in outcome measures from pretraining (n = 247) to posttraining (n = 231). Improvements were maintained at follow-up (n = 75). Limitations: Limitations of this research were the lack of a control group and a low follow-up response rate. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a 2 days tailored suicide prevention education program contributes to significant improvements in workers' attitudes toward suicide prevention, and their confidence and competence in assessing and responding to suicidal distress.

Keywords: asylum seekers; mental health; refugees; suicide prevention education; temporary protection visas.

MeSH terms

Australia
Humans
Mental Health
Refugees*
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide Prevention*

Grants and funding

Funding: This research was the result of a crowdfunding campaign. We acknowledge and thank the more than 100 donors who contributed to this project, particularly our lead partners and donors, The University of South Australia, Australian Red Cross, Multicultural Development Association (Queensland), and AMES Australia (Victoria).