Late Breaking News
2011 Compendium
Task Force Recommends OSD-Level Suicide Prevention Policy Office
Do you believe that a suicide prevention office established at the OSD level, as a DoD Task Force has suggested, would improve suicide prevention efforts for the military?
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We do not need one more redundant group of administrators telling us how many forms are needed in order to prevent suicide. Currently we fill out reminders at the end of progress notes, plus a "suicide risk note" with very vague choices on its macro, plus a "suicide behavior report,' plus a "suicide prevention plan," plus there are three other notes which are due for an admission to Mental health, if that occurs. There is also a ptsd screen, depression screen, and evaluation of positive screen with confusing choices for responses. Does any of this help Veterans? Overall, NO. Because while these redundant things are being done in addition the the progress note that we are writing, time is taken away from the Veteran. Interpersonal care, skill, compassion, and time with the Veteran are our greatest allies against suicide. Committees, panels, administrators, and forms are our greatest obstacles to this care. But they do provide jobs for administrative personnel.