Suicide prevention skills training in pre-clerkship medical students: a pilot study

Authors

  • Michael Zeeman University of Alberta
  • Jessica Chow University of Alberta
  • Cheryl Goldstein University of Alberta
  • Melanie Lewis University of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.78790

Abstract

When equipped with the skills to recognize and intervene effectively, peers are well positioned to be early responders to near-peers in mental distress. This pilot study provides a framework for providing suicide prevention skills training to pre-clerkship medical students with the aim to improve early peer-to-peer detection and initial aid for mental health crises. This training is effective in improving students’ self-reported comfort to provide early intervention to peers with declining mental health. Participants felt strongly that this training merits integration into core medical education and did not identify the added courseload as a major burden. Other programs should consider adopting such an initiative.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Schernhammer ES, Colditz GA. (Suicide rates among physicians: a quantitative and gender assessment (meta-analysis). Amer J Psych. 2004;161(12), 2295-2302. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2295

Garelick AI. Doctors' health: stigma and the professional discomfort in seeking help. The Psychiatrist. 2012;36(3), 81-84. https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.111.037903

Rotenstein LS, Ramos MA, Torre M, et al. Prevalence of depression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2016;316(21), 2214-2236. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.17324

Hou X, Wang J, Guo J, et al. Methods and efficacy of social support interventions in preventing suicide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Ment Health. 2022;25(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2021-300318

Mongrain K, Simmons A, Shore I, Prinja X, Reaume M. Side-by-side: a one-on-one peer support program for medical students. Acad Med. 2022;97(8), 1170-1174. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000004704

Maslowski AK, LaCaille RA, LaCaille LJ, Reich CM, Klingner J. Effectiveness of mental health first aid: a meta-analysis. Mental Health Rev J, 2019;24(4), 245-261. https://doi.org/10.1108/mhrj-05-2019-0016

Downloads

Published

2024-09-25

How to Cite

1.
Zeeman M, Chow J, Goldstein C, Lewis M. Suicide prevention skills training in pre-clerkship medical students: a pilot study. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 25 [cited 2024 Sep. 26];. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/78790

Issue

Section

You Should Try This