Abstract

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth in Canada. Though school-aged youth are surrounded by teachers, mentors, and school mental health nurses (SMHN), little is known about what teachers want to know regarding suicide and whether the teachers have the knowledge to recognize youth at risk. The purpose of this generic exploratory qualitative study, guided by the health belief model, was to explore the perceived learning needs of high school teachers in northwestern Ontario (NWO) regarding suicide prevention. The data collection process involved semistructured virtual interviews with 14 high school teachers in NWO recruited via social media. Data analysis included a systematic coding process along with the use of a coding software. Two main themes were produced, which evolved from seven key categories: Educators prefer learning based on a mixture of styles that is relevant and current to their student needs; however, they note that time constraints are a barrier. Teachers are also interested in knowing what to say; however, they are limited by the unknown legalities involved when addressing a student at risk. Although training was limited, teachers expressed being comfortable talking about suicide and understood basic warning signs. The findings can assist the SMHN in supporting the teachers in a way that best suits them. Targeting the needs of NWO educators can create positive social change by reducing suicide. Future research can include the creation of a suicide prevention program that is targeted exclusively for high school educators.

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 28861290; ProQuest document ID: 2605202089. The author still retains copyright.

Author Details

Miranda L. Bevilacqua, PhD, MN, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

School Mental Health Nurses, Suicide Prevention, Youth Suicide, High School Educators, School-Aged Youth

Advisor

Janice Long

Second Advisor

Betsy Rodgers

Degree

PhD

Degree Grantor

Walden University

Degree Year

2021

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2022-04-14

Full Text of Presentation

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