The U.S. Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention suggests that suicide prevention efforts address the needs of vulnerable groups and be tailored to the cultural and situational context in which they are offered.
Taking care of our own
But I fear they do not know us. I fear they do not comprehend the full weight of the burden we carry or the price we pay when we return from battle. This is important, because a people uninformed about what they are asking the military to endure is a people inevitably unable to fully grasp the scope of the responsibilities our Constitution levies upon them. . . . We must help them understand, our fellow citizens who so desperately want to help us.
ADM Michael Mullen, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff United States Military Academy, West Point, 2011
Military Culture and Our Strategy to Prevent Veteran Suicide
The current epidemic of suicide among military veterans underscores this population as a vulnerable group and our strategy takes into account the unique culture of the military and military service.
The Foundation seeks not only to complement protective factors to prevent suicide through community education, outreach, and prevention efforts that specifically serve the veteran population, but for those families needing to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of suicide, we also seek to coordinate timely support following such a life-altering event.
The Efficacy of Population Based Strategies
When population based strategies are considered, a larger impact can be effected. Population based strategies allow for a more focused approach that targets a specific population. These strategies include both selective strategies and indicated strategies.
Selective strategies address subsets of the total population, focusing on at-risk groups that have a greater probability of becoming suicidal. Selective prevention strategies aim to prevent the onset of suicidal behaviors among specific subpopulations such as veterans. This level of prevention includes:
screening programs
gatekeeper training for “frontline” adult caregivers and peer “natural helpers”
support and skill building groups
enhanced accessible crisis services and referral sources.
Indicated strategies address specific high-risk individuals within the population—those evidencing early signs of suicide potential. Programs are designed and delivered in groups or individually to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors. At this level, programs include:
skill-building support groups
family support training programs
case management for individual high-risk veterans
referral sources for crisis intervention and treatment.
Programs and Services
The Foundation will take an integrated approach to prevention; an approach that aims to reduce mental illness and promote mental health within the veteran population. Prevention efforts include program development that focuses on health and wellness activities for military veterans by leveraging resources for recreational therapy, awareness, education, and outreach. Specifically, the program:
Provides male and female military veterans access to participation in local and regional veterans ice hockey and other recreational therapy programs at no cost as a mechanism to:
Immerse veterans in healthy activities in a supportive team environment.
Establish relationships that promote camaraderie and a sense of belonging among members of the veteran community.
Connects veterans with a wide range of interagency resources and a network of agency contact persons
Makes suicide prevention education programs available to players and their families.
Raises public awareness about the issue of veteran suicide.
Strategy
A National Strategy to Prevent Sucide
The U.S. Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention suggests that suicide prevention efforts address the needs of vulnerable groups and be tailored to the cultural and situational context in which they are offered.
Military Culture and Our Strategy to Prevent Veteran Suicide
The current epidemic of suicide among military veterans underscores this population as a vulnerable group and our strategy takes into account the unique culture of the military and military service.
The Foundation seeks not only to complement protective factors to prevent suicide through community education, outreach, and prevention efforts that specifically serve the veteran population, but for those families needing to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of suicide, we also seek to coordinate timely support following such a life-altering event.
The Efficacy of Population Based Strategies
When population based strategies are considered, a larger impact can be effected. Population based strategies allow for a more focused approach that targets a specific population. These strategies include both selective strategies and indicated strategies.
Selective strategies address subsets of the total population, focusing on at-risk groups that have a greater probability of becoming suicidal. Selective prevention strategies aim to prevent the onset of suicidal behaviors among specific subpopulations such as veterans. This level of prevention includes:
Indicated strategies address specific high-risk individuals within the population—those evidencing early signs of suicide potential. Programs are designed and delivered in groups or individually to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors. At this level, programs include:
Programs and Services
The Foundation will take an integrated approach to prevention; an approach that aims to reduce mental illness and promote mental health within the veteran population. Prevention efforts include program development that focuses on health and wellness activities for military veterans by leveraging resources for recreational therapy, awareness, education, and outreach. Specifically, the program: