Suicide Prevention for International Students: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of the LivingWorks safeTALK Program in Australia

International students face elevated suicide risk but are less likely to seek help than their domestic peers. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an adapted version of safeTALK suicide prevention training for international students. Eight workshops were delivered in Melbourne, Australia. A total of 126 international students (60.2% female, M age = 23.4) completed surveys pre-, post-, and three months post- training, with 17 also completing follow-up interviews. The training was rated as acceptable, helpful, and safe. Linear mixed models indicated increased confidence to intervene and stronger intentions to refer individuals to formal help sources, with improvements sustained at follow-up. Suicide literacy improved, but stigma did not change, and attrition limited conclusions about long-term effects. Qualitative feedback supported the training’s value but highlighted the need for further cultural adaptation. Findings support adapted gatekeeper training as a promising strategy for suicide prevention among international students.