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Community Mental Health Journal
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 3/2018

01-04-2018 | Original Paper

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM): An Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Means Restriction Training Program for Mental Health Providers

Authors: Elizabeth Sale, Michelle Hendricks, Virginia Weil, Collin Miller, Scott Perkins, Suzanne McCudden

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) suicide prevention program. CALM trains mental health providers how to counsel suicidal individuals and those who support them on mean restriction during times of crisis. Pre/post/3-month follow-up assessments measured knowledge of lethal means, confidence and comfort in discussing means restriction (self-efficacy), and future intentions to counsel clients on means restriction. Change in the number of clients receiving lethal means counseling was also assessed. All constructs increased significantly at posttest. Confidence and counseling intentions were sustained at follow-up and significantly more clients received means counseling in the 3 months following the CALM training. Knowledge and comfort levels decreased at follow-up but not to pre-training levels. CALM is effective at increasing mental health professionals’ comfort, knowledge, and frequency of talking about means restriction with clients. an effective means restriction training program. A template to assess clients for suicidality and lethal means access and booster sessions are recommended to further sustain effects.
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Metadata
Title
Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM): An Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Means Restriction Training Program for Mental Health Providers
Authors
Elizabeth Sale
Michelle Hendricks
Virginia Weil
Collin Miller
Scott Perkins
Suzanne McCudden
Publication date
01-04-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0190-z

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