Volume_6_Issue_1_Digest

11 TPC Digest Read full article and references: Schmidt, R. C. (2016). Mental health practitioners’ perceived levels of preparedness, levels of confidence and methods used in the assessment of youth suicide risk. The Professional Counselor , 6, 76–88. doi : 10.15241/rs.6.1.76 O curring every 1 hour and 42 minutes, youth suicide has been identified as a national public health concern and priority, yet practitioner preparedness and competency skills to assess for suicide risk continue to be neglected. Despite identified training and preparation gaps affecting their ability to perform suicide risk assessments, well-intended practitioners are making significant clinical decisions that have substantial legal and ethical ramifications. Although previous research sought to examine practitioner preparedness levels, it was limited to specific disciplines. This study surveyed a broader representation of practitioners (N = 339), including school counselors, professional counselors, psychologists, social workers and school psychologists. This study was guided by a single question: What is the relationship among the self-perceived levels of preparedness, levels of confidence and methods used in the assessment of suicide risk for practitioners whose responsibilities require suicide risk assessment and management? The instrument designed for this study was The Child and Adolescent Suicide Intervention Preparedness Survey. This 23-item questionnaire covered practitioner levels of training, preparedness, confidence and additional trainings needed to fill voids not adequately taught in graduate school. Guided by a quantitative study design, the results of the survey were analyzed using descriptive data and chi-square to determine if relationships existed among variables, including participant perceptions of feeling prepared and confident, and if this contributed to the methods used to determine suicide risk in youth. This study highlighted the critical role of school counselors as being identified by participants (53%) to be the most likely practitioner to respond and provide a suicide assessment. The findings indicated 86% of the participants have worked with a suicidal youth, yet there were noticeable inconsistencies related to practitioners feeling prepared and confident while assessing for suicide risk in youth. The inconsistent responses reflected a self-evaluative dilemma for the practitioners wanting to self-report a feeling of being prepared to work with suicidal youth, yet not feeling adequately prepared or confident to provide a suicide intervention or complete an assessment. This was reflected in the method most practitioners (64%) reported using to obtain a youth’s suicide risk level. These practitioners based their clinical judgment solely on using an informal, non-structured interview (i.e., winging it). Contrary to self-reported feelings of not being adequately prepared, despite having good intentions but limited confidence, practitioners using formal suicide risk assessment tools reported higher levels of confidence and greater preparedness levels and training. Despite youth suicide prevention being identified as a national priority, colleges and universities in general must better prepare the practitioners represented in this study. To fill the void of being inadequately prepared, practitioners reported an urgent need for more training on warning signs, symptoms and suicidal behaviors in addition to receiving training in suicide assessment. Most often, graduates entering the field are finding themselves in situations whereby their preparation and training may mean the difference between life and death based on their clinical judgment. Robert C. Schmidt, NCC, is a Behavioral Specialist at Talbot County Public Schools in Easton, MD. Correspondence can be addressed to Robert C. Schmidt, Talbot County Public Schools, 12 Magnolia Street, Easton, MD 21601, rschmidt@tcps.k12.md.us. 11 TPC Digest