In order to better surveillance Veteran suicide, the VHA initiated the Behavioral Health Autopsy Program (BHAP) in 2012, which is aiming to thoroughly collect information regarding suicides in all health care settings. The BHAP focuses on four phases: the standardization of chart reviews, family interviews, last clinical contact interview and a public records review. This is all in effort to better define risk and protective factors, enhance or develop interventions and reduce the rate of suicide in our Veterans.4
Evaluations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that some of the BHAP reports were never submitted, some would include incorrect information, and that more than half were not completed. It was also identified, by …show more content…
Easy access to care is a another suicide prevention intervention that focuses increasing access through mental health education, awareness of services, reducing the stigmatization associated with mental illness, building the reputation of the VHA and aiding with navigation services provided by VHA. In order to better meet those at risk or in a crisis, some mental health services are not integrated in collaborative care settings to combat navigation barriers and stigmatization. VHA has implemented policy that calls for mental health services to be accessible at VA emergency departments or local non VA hospitals at all times, new patients referred for mental health initial assessments are required to be seen within 24 hours and then receive their full evaluation appointment within two weeks from their initial assessment. For established patients, a follow up appointment needs to take place within 30 days. There have been challenges in the evaluation of implementation for the easy access to care intervention’s effectiveness and has been outlined in multiple outlets including congressional hearings, media and patient …show more content…
When Veterans are in need of social services, they may have to seek help from various community agencies, which leaves an opportunity for Veteran service providers to work within a network throughout each sector. Working as a network and serving as a pipeline for Veterans in need of education, employment, health or quality of life assistance could be lifesaving. However, the obstacle Veteran service providers face, especially non VHA, is a lack of knowledge in regards to services, navigation and resources for suicide prevention. Using a community collaborative care approach to empower Veteran service providers and connect Veterans to the VHA as well as community based prevention services could collectively reduce suicide within the Veteran community. A small scale suicide intervention took on this challenge and were able to express value in using a service sector segmented approach, which connects and educates Veteran service providers in all sectors of services, to identify community stakeholders. Once identified and empowered to utilize recognition skills for Veterans at risk or who are suicidal, many were able to effectively connect Veterans to the services needed. Even though there were differences in the amount of Veterans served in each sector, the exposure Veteran service providers had and their referral
Evaluations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that some of the BHAP reports were never submitted, some would include incorrect information, and that more than half were not completed. It was also identified, by …show more content…
Easy access to care is a another suicide prevention intervention that focuses increasing access through mental health education, awareness of services, reducing the stigmatization associated with mental illness, building the reputation of the VHA and aiding with navigation services provided by VHA. In order to better meet those at risk or in a crisis, some mental health services are not integrated in collaborative care settings to combat navigation barriers and stigmatization. VHA has implemented policy that calls for mental health services to be accessible at VA emergency departments or local non VA hospitals at all times, new patients referred for mental health initial assessments are required to be seen within 24 hours and then receive their full evaluation appointment within two weeks from their initial assessment. For established patients, a follow up appointment needs to take place within 30 days. There have been challenges in the evaluation of implementation for the easy access to care intervention’s effectiveness and has been outlined in multiple outlets including congressional hearings, media and patient …show more content…
When Veterans are in need of social services, they may have to seek help from various community agencies, which leaves an opportunity for Veteran service providers to work within a network throughout each sector. Working as a network and serving as a pipeline for Veterans in need of education, employment, health or quality of life assistance could be lifesaving. However, the obstacle Veteran service providers face, especially non VHA, is a lack of knowledge in regards to services, navigation and resources for suicide prevention. Using a community collaborative care approach to empower Veteran service providers and connect Veterans to the VHA as well as community based prevention services could collectively reduce suicide within the Veteran community. A small scale suicide intervention took on this challenge and were able to express value in using a service sector segmented approach, which connects and educates Veteran service providers in all sectors of services, to identify community stakeholders. Once identified and empowered to utilize recognition skills for Veterans at risk or who are suicidal, many were able to effectively connect Veterans to the services needed. Even though there were differences in the amount of Veterans served in each sector, the exposure Veteran service providers had and their referral