Date of Conferral
8-1-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Patricia Schweickert
Abstract
Suicide is a major public health concern, and consistent suicide risk assessment is essential for patient safety in psychiatric settings. This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project addressed a knowledge gap in evidence-based suicide risk assessment among psychiatric clinicians in an outpatient mental health setting. The practice-focused question examined whether an evidence-based suicide risk assessment education program would improve clinicians' knowledge from pre- to post-education. The educational intervention consisted of a 60-minute in-person training session on evidence-based suicide risk assessment using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) framework. Ten psychiatric clinicians completed pre- and posttest knowledge assessments. Mean scores improved from 64% before the education session to 90% after the intervention, with all participants demonstrating higher posttest scores. The findings suggest that a structured educational program can improve clinicians' knowledge and support more consistent use of evidence-based suicide risk assessment practices. Recommendations include incorporating suicide risk assessment education into staff orientation and providing ongoing refresher training to reinforce best practices. Improving clinicians' knowledge may strengthen suicide prevention efforts, enhance patient safety, and contribute to positive social change through more consistent identification and management of individuals at risk for suicide.
Recommended Citation
Dzikiti, Yemurai Emily, "Staff Education on the Implementation of an Evidence-Based, Suicide-Risk-Assessment Education Program for Psychiatric Staff" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20459.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20459
