Hawaii Vet 2 Vet
EDUCATION FOR REINTEGRATION
Hawaii Vet 2 Vet Inc
Honolulu, HI 96813
mikepeac
This page is a post of an article published in Veterans Health Matters (Volume 4, 2010) the wellness publication of VISN 21 and talks about our Lifeline for Suicide Prevention and was titled.
10,000 Suicide Preventions and Counting
VA's National Suicide Prevention Lifeline(also called hotline) recorded its 10,000th Veteran suicide rescue on July fourth of this year. Just one call to: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) can prevent a suicide.
It did for a 26-year old Iraq Veteran, who called one evening from the Oakland, Calif. train station. According to Melissa Rath, a Lifeline responder, "He was so distraught; our staff worked with him, but we weren't able to decrease his panic. He told us he wanted to jump in front of a train. We could hear the trains over the phone. The Veteran hung up on us, stating he had no option but to die. We called the Oakland police, who in turn stopped the trains until they found him and took him to the local hospital."
The Lifeline number and an on-line chat service at http://
suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Veterans/ can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
According to Fred MacRae, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, "When Veterans call the hotline and dial 1 at the prompt 'dial 1 if you are a Veteran,' they are routed to the VA National call Center where the call will be directly answered by a licensed mental health professional (Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, or Psychiatric Nurse). These clinicians have had additional specific training in helping Veterans in the midst of an acute suicidal crisis. Emergencies are handled immediately, with police rescue if necessary. Support staff also help to quickly locate local resources for the Veteran. Within one business day, the local Suicide Prevention Coordinator follows up with the Veteran and provides him or her with appropriate resources."
Although the 1-800 Lifeline has helped thousands of Veterans reach someone who will listen and care, VISN 21 has implemented additional initiatives for Veterans. Janet Lial, VISN 21 Suicide Prevention Coordinator gives these examples:
1.) Additional staff for all VISN 21 facilities. Some added Suicide Prevention Coordinators. Most received a Suicide Prevention Case Manager. (See a complete list for them on page 7.)
2.) Training to VISN 21 staff about the warning signs of suicidal thinking and behavior.
(VA VISN 19 MIRECC Suicide Prevention Presentations)
3.) Community outreach programs
4.) Assistance to primary mental health care providers to give the kind of support the Veteran needs. "In one unusual instance," states Janet Lial, "the Suicide Prevention Case Manager for NCHCS was asked to call an OEF/OIF Veteran and leave a message with a positive, supportive thought each week. It was an unusual request but the provider found that it really helped the Veteran. And that's what it's all about!"
Suicide Prevention is Everyone's Business
(DCoE Webinar Suicide Prevention)
Learn The Facts
Between 30,000 and 32,000 suicides occur within the general population in the U.S. each year.
About 20% of U.S. suicides occur in Veterans.
About 18 deaths from suicide per day are Veterans.
More than 60 percent of suicides among utilizers of VHA services are among patients who have already been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Veterans are more likely to use firearms as a means for suicide.
Substance abuse increases the risk of suicide in depressed Veterans.
(Veteran Suicide Risk: Web-based Video)
Know Suicide Warning Signs
Talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.
Trying to get pills, guns, or other ways to harm oneself.
Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide.
Hopelessness
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge.
Acting in a reckless or risky way.
Feeling trapped, like there is no way out.
Saying or feeling there's no reason for living.
In Closing
If you are at risk of harming yourself, or fear a loved one may be at risk, or feel overwhelmed, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). According to Janet Lial, "For some of our younger Veterans just coming out of the service and recently returned from war, the VA system can seem daunting. Once they call the Lifeline, they find they have an advocate within the system who can point them in the right direction and help them get the services they deserve. It's very gratifying to be able to help in this way."
OnLine Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide Prevention and stigma Reduction Message from the US Army
Suicide Prevention Training for Line Leaders at Realwarriors.net
Copyright 2009,2019
Updated by Mike Peacock 18 November 2020 Hawaii Vet 2 Vet.
All rights reserved.
Hawaii Vet 2 Vet Inc
Honolulu, HI 96813
mikepeac