Multimodal Approach to Preventing Suicide in Schools (MAPSS): A regionally-based trial of safeTALK and Reframe IT among secondary school students (safeTALK + screening component)

The safeTALK suicide alertness program was developed by LivingWorks Education. It is suitable for delivery to anyone over the age of 15. It comprises a single 3.5-hour workshop designed to help participants better understand suicide warning signs in themselves and others, gain knowledge about appropriate sources of help for suicidal feelings, apply basic ‘TALK’ steps (Tell, Ask, Listen, and KeepSafe), and feel better-able to connect a person at risk of suicide with appropriate help. safeTALK is delivered by trained staff, to groups of up to 30 participants at a time. The safeTALK workshop primarily takes a didactic format, with the facilitator using multimedia tools including filmed vignettes to support information given to participants. It also incorporates a number of interactive activities and role plays. For this project, the original safeTALK vignettes used in Australia were re-scripted and re-filmed with young people to increase relevance of the training program for the study populations. Adherence to the intervention will be assessed in two ways. First, participants will be asked how much of the training program they were present for in the safeTALK evaluation survey. Second, research staff present in the training sessions will monitor attendance and record any students who miss any portion of the training (including how much of the training was missed, and why). SafeTALK will be evaluated using a pre-test/post-test design. As part of the questionnaires used to evaluate the training, students will also be screened for suicide risk using the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) and a purpose-designed measure of current suicidal ideation. Students who report either past-month suicidal ideation or current suicidal ideation will be referred to the school wellbeing team.