This past week Dr. Beau Nelson, PhD & Jamie Wright with the Ann Arbor VA discussed the VA Suicide Prevention Program. The program is designed to provide the needed information for prevention and support for suicide. Click here to view the full length call notes. You can access their presentation here. PRESENTATION SUMMARY: How the VA determines if a patient is high risk for suicide is if a patient has recently attempted suicide or has preparatory behavior, experiencing a crisis and has prior history of suicidal attempts/behavior or has no previous attempt but has severe intent or planning. How the VA is tracking high risk patients is by flagging the patients medical record, have at least 4 face-to-face mental health appointments within the first 30 days of treatment, a 90-day monitoring and enhanced care plan, along with, safety planning and limiting their medication supplies. Suicide prevention resources Give an hour, Veteran Crisis Line 1800-2738255- press 1 and Make the Connection. Eligibility: The VA has extended their eligibility, assisting those outside of honorable discharge status to allow them to receive emergency mental health treatment. EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Soon, honorably discharged veterans will be able to shop online at the BX/PX. Visit vetverify.org to verify service. Please log on the website to submit interaction logs, drill/event visit logs here: https://buddytobuddy.org/volunteer/auth/login. If you are on Facebook, please visit and like our page: www.facebook.com/BuddytoBuddyProgram Per your request, we have added a 2-week look-ahead for scheduled events. Please find these listed at the bottom of the call minutes. Thank you for all that you do! The Buddy-to-Buddy Team
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