Evaluating Standards of Care Training for Social Workers Completing Suicide Risk Assessment

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of a 3h workshop on social workers’ knowledge and utilization of standards of care for suicide risk-assessment. Methods: A nonexperimental, one-group, pre- and post-assessment assessed change in knowledge of standards of care for suicide with 41 social workers. Focus groups and surveys, 6-months postworkshop, described providers’ perceived effectiveness and utilization of the standards of care in practice. >Results: Mean knowledge of standards of care for suicide score increased (pre- to post-assessment and pre- to follow up). Comfort-level and level of concern with malpractice in suicide risk-assessment improved. At follow up, social workers improved use of evidence-based practices and documentation. Discussion: Given social workers provide the majority of mental health services in the United States, it is essential that the National Association of Social Work and Council on Social Work Education endorse social work specific-standards of care for suicide to improve best practice with clients.