Juvenile Correctional Workers’ Perceptions of Suicide Risk Factors and Mental Health Issues of Incarcerated Juveniles

Abstract

Correctional staff knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of incarcerated juveniles’ mental health needs, including suicide prevention, have not been studied empirically. This study measured juvenile correctional officers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding suicide risk factors and mental health and substance abuse issues through administration of the Mental Health Knowledge and Attitude Test (MHKAT) before and after a staff training on suicide prevention. Seventy-six participants completed the pre- and post-training MHKAT. They demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge of and attitudes toward mental health treatment of incarcerated youth as reflected by higher post-training MHKAT scores. Findings suggest that correctional staff are receptive to increasing knowledge of critical mental health issues. Studies of the retention and implementation of this new knowledge by direct care staff over time and the optimal type and frequency of new staff training and continuing education are indicated.