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Workshop #3

Youth suicide prevention: An introduction to gatekeeping


This workshop is an introduction to "suicide prevention gatekeeping." Suicide prevention gatekeeping is a process by which people who regularly come into contact with young people are trained to:


  • Recognize behavioral patterns and other warning signs that indicate that a young person may be at risk for suicide.
  • Actively intervene, usually by talking to a young person in ways that explore the level of risk without increasing it.
  • Ensure that young people at risk access the services necessary to reduce that risk.

Suicide prevention gatekeeping can be a matter of life and death. It is essential that participants are fully aware of the purpose and limitations of this workshop.


What this workshop does and does not do:

This workshop is designed to:

Introduce gatekeeping to those who want to, or are responsible for, implementing, operating, or participating in a gatekeeping program (such as staff from schools, youth development agencies, public health departments, or youth recreation or job training programs).


This workshop is NOT designed to:

  • Substitute for in-depth face-to-face training required to become a gatekeeper
  • Certify participants in gatekeeping or in training of gatekeepers
  • Teach participants to clinically assess the risk of suicide (including those participants who are clinicians)
  • Apply to children, or adolescents, but for adults only
  • Provide a therapeutic intervention for anyone who feels at risk of suicide

If you need support for depression or suicidal thoughts or are seeking therapy please call

1-800-273-TALK (273-8255)

This is a free call.

One of the most frequently implemented strategies for population based suicide prevention is gatekeeper training. This workshop will heighten awareness of risk factors associated with youth suicide and awareness of youth suicide prevention and intervention. Participants will learn howgatekeepers ask questions of youth who may be suicidal and how they respond to those youth identified.

This workshop is designed for professionals and concerned citizens, including public health officials, mental health officials, health/mental health providers, and members of community-based planning groups for suicide prevention. No experience is necessary.


Educational Objectives Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:


Module 1
  • Understand the rationale for gatekeeper training
  • Define standard suicide prevention terms
  • Dispel myths about suicide

Module 2
  • Identify risk and protective factors for suicide
  • Understand the link between mental health and suicide
  • Identify warning signs and clues of suicide

Module 3

  • Understand, in theory, how to ask about and respond to suicidal behavior
  • Identify appropriate suicide prevention support services
  • Understand the link between postvention and suicide prevention
  • Describe self-care techniques for gatekeepers

*Please note that this workshop is not designed to train actual gatekeepers, only to provide information and understanding about gatekeeper training and its place in comprehensive suicide prevention strategies.



This workshop is based on Preventing Youth Suicide Through Gatekeeper Training (6th edition), with the permission of Cheryl DiCara, Program Coordinator of the Maine Injury and Youth Suicide Prevention Program, Maine Bureau of Health, Division of Community Health, Susan O'Halloran, Medical Care Development, Augusta, Maine, and Loren Coleman, MSW, Portland, Maine.


The material from this manual has been adapted for a national audience and for an on-line presentation. EDC and Harvard Injury Control Research Center take full responsibility for the content of this workshop, which may not reflect the philosophy and policy of either the Maine Injury and Youth Suicide Prevention Program or Medical Care Development.


We wish to extend our appreciation to Cheryl DiCara, Susan O'Halloran, Loren Coleman, MSW, and Ron Bloodworth, MA, LPC, Former Oregon Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for their generosity, expertise, and advice, during the development of this on-line workshop.


For further information on more comprehensive gatekeeper training programs, see your local state suicide prevention coordinator. Click here for a listing.


Fee: None

Suggested Schedule-The pace in which you complete the workshop is up to you, but others have found that it takes between 12 and 15 hours of time or 2-3 hours per week over a month's time. Again, you may complete these hours anytime of day or night over as long a period as you like (e.g. one month, one week, etc.).


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Last modified: Friday, June 15 2007, 08:15 PM