Gatekeepers: Helping to Prevent Suicide in Colorado. An Evaluation Report on the Preventing Suicide in Colorado Initiative

In suicide prevention, gatekeepers open a gate into potentially benefi cial supportive care or treatment services for people they believe are in-need of crisis intervention, but who might not otherwise seek care. Gatekeeper training has become more common among suicide prevention efforts, yet little is known about whether gatekeepers used the skills after being trained. The intent of this evaluation was to determine if people trained as gatekeepers use the skills they are taught to positively intervene so that potential suicide deaths are avoided and at-risk individuals are referred to professional services.