Date
1-16-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Gilbert Franco
Keywords
Gatekeeper, Community College, QPR, self-efficacy, long-term counseling, education level
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Beshears, Maggie, "A Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program to Promote Mental Health on a College Campus" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6449.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6449
Abstract
This study explores the effectiveness of the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) model in training college employees to recognize and respond to students at risk of suicide. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether QPR training increases participants’ knowledge of suicide warning signs, enhances their confidence in initiating intervention conversations, and improves their ability to refer students to appropriate mental health resources. This quantitative experimental research combines pre- and post-training assessments with qualitative feedback to measure changes in participants’ understanding and perceived preparedness. Results indicated a significant increase in employees’ confidence and knowledge following the training. The implications of these findings suggest that implementing QPR on college campuses can contribute to more proactive suicide prevention efforts, fostering a safer and more supportive environment for students. This research also offers insights for broader application in mental health practice and community organizations, emphasizing the value of gatekeeper training in promoting early intervention and reducing suicide risk. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.