Thanks to everyone who came to our seminar with Duke University School of Medicine’s Dr. David B. Goldston on Wednesday, February 17th, on the evaluation of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program. Dr. Goldston’s slides are available here!
About The GLS Program
Youth suicide prevention is a national health priority. Since 2005, the Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Suicide Prevention Program has funded competitive grants for suicide prevention activities that are awarded to states, tribal communities, and college campuses throughout the United States. Suicide prevention activities funded by the GLS program generally have been comprehensive in nature and multifaceted. Until recently, there has been little documentation of the effectiveness of this nationally implemented suicide prevention program. However, as part of a cross-site evaluation, counties in which GLS programs were implemented were recently found to have reduced suicide mortality and reduced population base rates of suicide attempts among young people relative to rates in comparison counties. These reductions were found in the year following implementation of the programs, but not thereafter, suggesting a need for continued suicide prevention efforts for sustainability of positive effects. Recent analyses also have indicated that cost savings associated with the GLS program (due to reduced hospitalizations and ED visits for suicide attempts) may more than offset the costs associated with implementation of the suicide prevention program.
Our Speaker
Dr. Goldston is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Goldston has participated in the cross-site evaluation of the nationally implemented Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention program, conducted longitudinal research regarding risk and developmental trajectories of suicidal behaviors among youths through young adulthood, developed interventions for substance using and suicidal teens, and written a book, published by the American Psychological Association Press, regarding the assessment of suicidal behaviors and risk among children and adolescents. He currently is collaborating in evaluation of a cognitive behavioral intervention to reduce suicidal behavior among military personnel, and is conducting research regarding mechanisms of risk associated with suicidal behaviors. Dr. Goldston has his own clinical practice and supervises clinical trainees, particularly in interventions with suicidal youths, in the Psychosocial Treatment Clinic at the Duke Child and Family Study Center.