How Confident Do High School Counselors Feel in Recognizing Students at Risk for Suicide?    

Keith A. King, PhD, CHES;
James H. Price, PhD, MPH, FAAHB;
Susan K. Telljohann, HSD, CHES;
Jeffrey Wahl, MD  

Objective: To assess high school counselors' perceived self-efficacy in recognizing students at risk for suicide. Methods: A survey was completed by a random sample of 186 high school counselors. Results: Most counselors believed that it was their role to recognize students at risk for suicide and that if they did, it would reduce student suicides. However, only 1 in 3 believed they could recognize a student at risk. High efficacy-expectations scores were significantly associated with working at a high school with a crisis intervention team. Conclusion: This study suggests that school counselor training programs could devote more time to developing the skills essential to recognizing students at risk for suicide.

Am J Health Behav 1999;23(6):457-467