Development of A Suicide Prevention Training Module for Social Work Students in India.

Introduction: Social workers constitute a significant task force that serves diverse populations experiencing psychosocial challenges in their daily lives. Lack of suicide prevention content/training in the Master of Social Work program may affect the student's self-esteem/ability to intervene when they come across a person with suicidality in the field. Developing a suicide prevention training module for social work students would be a suitable measure for upbringing their skills in dealing with individuals with suicidality. Method: The purpose of the present study was to develop a suicide prevention training module for social work students at the postgraduate level. The researcher conducted two Focused Group Discussions (FGD) each with social work students (n = 13) and social work educators (n = 15) on an online platform. Notes were taken during the discussion, and the contents were videotaped. The videotaped content was transcribed, and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The content that emerged from the FGD with social work students and educators was discussed in later FGD with mental health experts (two psychiatrists, one psychologist, two psychiatric social workers, and two mental health nurses). The discussion with experts clarified what components to retain for the training program. Results: Five major themes and 22 sub-themes emerged from the two FGDs each with students and educators, and one FGD with mental health professionals are described. The five major themes were understanding of suicidality, understanding suicide education in the master of social work curriculum, experience with suicidality, training content suggestion, and suggestions for future implications. Conclusions: The present study identified the need for suicide prevention training in postgraduate-level social work students. Furthermore, a lack of suicide prevention training was observed indicating the incorporation of suicide education in the postgraduate curriculum.

Awareness and preferences about suicide crisis support service options among college students in India: A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to explore the awareness about suicide support services and preferred service options during a suicide crisis among college going young adults. METHODS: Between September 2016 and February 2017, we invited students from colleges affiliated to three major universities in a coastal district of South India to participate in a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: A total of 1890 usable responses were obtained. Most participants (n = 1633, 86.4%) were unaware of any suicide crisis support options. Most commonly listed options were support from family members, peer groups, counselling and psychiatric consultation. These were also endorsed as most preferred support options. CONCLUSION: There is a low level of awareness about suicide support services among young Indian adults. There is a need for coordinated efforts to raise awareness and promote uptake of suicide support services in this group.

Perceived Social Support among Abstinent Individuals with Substance use disorder.

Background: Substance use disorder is a major public health concern in India. Understanding social support among persons who were abstaining from substance use would help in promoting long-term abstinence. Aim: To examine perceived social support among abstinent individuals with substance use disorder. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used. Sixty subjects who were attending follow-up service were selected consecutively from out-patient specialty clinic (Addiction Medicine), tertiary care teaching hospital, Bangalore. Persons with SUDs between the age of 18-60 years with minimum abstinence period of three months and above were included. Exploratory analysis such as descriptive statistics, spearmen correlation was used. The study was approved by Institute ethics committee. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 39.6 (S.D ±9.5) years. Majority (60%) do not have peer pressure, majority (60%) had diagnosis of alcohol dependence and 80% had past history of abstinence, 40% were maintaining abstinence from three to six months. Majority (60%) were never hospitalized. Mean score of perceived social support among persons who were abstaining 90 days and above were 61.48 (±13.50) indicating high perceived social support. Conclusion: Perceived social support was higher among persons who were abstaining from substance use for three months and above.

Resilience among Abstinent Individuals with Substance Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Understanding resilience among abstinent individuals with substance use disorder would help in enhancing recovery. AIM: To examine the resilience among abstinent individuals with substance use disorder. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional research design. Sample size: 60 samples were selected using a consecutive sampling procedure. Using interview schedule, data was collected from abstinent individuals receiving follow-up services at the out-patient department, government-run de-addiction centre, tertiary care teaching hospital, Bangalore. Persons with SUDs aged between 18-60 years with a minimum abstinence period of three months and above were included. Those who were refused consent for the study were excluded. Statistical test: Descriptive statistics, Spearmen correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Mean age of the abstinent individuals was 39.6 (S.D ±9.5) years. Majority (75%) were married, employed (98%), having diagnosis of alcohol dependence (60%). Majority (80%) had past history of abstinence, 40% were maintaining abstinence more than three months. Most (60%) were treated on out-patient basis and they never hospitalized. Mean score of resilience among abstinent individuals was 75 (±9.94) which indicates high resilience in them. CONCLUSION: Social work interventions focusing on enhancing resilience among person with substance use disorder would help in maintaining long-term abstinence.