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Despite the escalation of alcohol use through high school, the majority of research on school-based alcohol interventions has been conducted with junior high students or first and second-year high school students. Preliminary research indicates a brief, web-based personalized feedback intervention developed for college students (eCHECKUP TO GO) may be a promising program for high school seniors. Although these studies demonstrate positive intervention effects, there is some evidence for greater program efficacy for females in this age group. The current study investigates sex differences in program acceptability of the eCHECKUP TO GO and its relationship to short-term alcohol outcomes among high school seniors (N=135). Overall, the majority of students reported they found the program to be acceptable (i.e., user-friendly and useful). However, contrary to our hypothesis, results indicated that male students reported significantly higher perceptions of program acceptability than females. Although we did not find sex differences in alcohol outcomes, program user-friendliness was related to reductions in alcohol use for males. The results of this study add to the literature supporting the eCHECKUP TO GO for high school seniors and highlight the importance of program user-friendliness for males. Implications for implementing the program as a school-based intervention are discussed.

Suicide rates continue to rise in the United States, especially within our youth population. Preparing counselors to confidently address suicide risk with their clients is crucial in suicide prevention. The authors conducted a phenomenological investigation of a youth suicide prevention course with 10 counseling students. The course included both a didactic component and an experiential component. We extracted four themes suggesting students believe a) suicide assessment is integral to the counselor role b) suicide is a complex phenomenon; c) the course enhanced self-efficacy; and d) interactive activities supported learning. Implications focusing on the importance of building self-efficacy in risk assessments, incorporating role-plays, and acknowledging the emotions that surround the topic of suicide are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This phenomenological study is an examination of nine elementary school counselors' experiences working with young children who are suicidal. Elementary school counselors were interviewed and asked to describe the phenomenon of suicidal ideation and behaviors they identified within their schools. Five themes emerged from the data, including school counselor role related to suicide, uniqueness of suicide at the elementary level, student interactions with suicide, school counselor reactions to students who are suicidal, and barriers in suicide work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent suicide rates continue to rise within the United States. This study evaluated a Youth Suicide Prevention course in a Master's in Counseling Program. Participants reported increases in knowledge and perceived ability to help suicidal clients post-training and in suicide prevention skills and suicide assessment and intervention self-efficacy at the 3-month follow-up. Implications for counselor education programs, such as using both experiential and didactic teaching methods, as well as timing suicide training before practicum, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]