Effectiveness of Adolescent Suicide Prevention E-Learning Modules for Gatekeepers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This RCT study investigated the effectiveness of an online adolescent suicide prevention program called Mental Health Online which aimed to improve the knowledge and the self-confidence of gatekeepers working with adolescents (12–20 years old). The program consisted of eight short e-learning modules each capturing an important aspect of the process of early recognition, guidance and referral of suicidal adolescents, alongside additional information on the topic of (adolescent) suicide prevention. Method: A total of 190 gatekeepers (ages 21 to 62 years) participated in this study and were randomized to either the experimental group or the waitlist control group. Participants from both groups were assessed three times (pretest, posttest and three month follow-up). The outcome measures of this study were actual knowledge, and participant’s ratings on perceived knowledge and perceived self-confidence using questionnaires developed specifically for this study. Results: The actual knowledge, perceived knowledge, and perceived self-confidence of gatekeepers in the experimental group improved significantly compared to those in the waitlist control group at posttest, and the effects remained significant at three month follow-up. The overall effect sizes were 0.76, 1.20, and 1.02 respectively, across assessments. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that online suicide prevention e-learning modules can be an effective educational method to enhance knowledge and self-confidence of gatekeepers with regard to adolescent suicide prevention. Gatekeepers with limited time and resources can benefit from the accessibility, simplicity and flexibility of online trainings. RCT on the effectiveness of the MHO modules 79