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VISN 19 MIRECC: Clinical Care Resources for Clinicians
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- MIRECC Consultation Service
- Consultation Team: Bridget B. Matarazzo PsyD, Lisa A. Brenner PhD, Peter M. Gutierrez PhD, Patricia Alexander PhD, Hal S. Wortzel MD, Nazanin H. Bahraini PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Postdoctoral Fellows: Gina M. Signoracci PhD, Sean M. Barnes, PhD
- Summary
The MIRECC Outpatient/Inpatient Consultation Service is designed to assist mental health providers in assessing and treating veterans with suicidal ideation and suicide-related behaviors. The service is an interdisciplinary group of mental health providers with broad backgrounds and expertise in suicidology. - The referrals we receive encompass diagnostic as well as therapeutic and pharmacological treatment questions, such as the extent to which cognitive impairment is contributing to suicide risk, the relationship between trauma history and suicidality, and therapeutic (e.g., psychotherapy, medication) options for managing chronic suicidality. Referrals are assigned to a member of the consultation team based on availability and specific referral questions.
- The initial consultation objectives are to meet with the referring clinician to clarify the reason for the referral, understand the current nature of the therapeutic relationship, to understand the client’s expectations, and to gauge how the consultation can be most helpful. We also seek to understand what interventions have already been tried with the client so we can eventually make the most useful recommendations.
- The consultation includes MIRECC team review, a comprehensive review of the patient's record, a clinical interview, collateral information when available, and appropriate neuropsychological/psychological testing. The consultation concludes with a feedback session for the referring clinician and veteran. Members of the MIRECC Consultation Service participate in weekly outpatient team meetings as well as consult in Morbidity and Mortality Reviews (M&Ms), Complex Case Reviews (CCRCs), and serve on the hospital suicide aggregate Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
- Consultations may be requested through the CPRS Consult Order menu/ Mental Health Menu. For additional assistance or questions you may contact Bridget Matarazzo at 303-399-8020 ext 5617 or by e-mail at bridget.matarazzo@va.gov.
- Target Clientele: The MIRECC Outpatient/Inpatient Consultation Service is designed to assist mental health providers in assessing and treating veterans with suicidal ideation and suicide-related behaviors.
- The Combating Civilian: Suicide Risk Factors in Combat Veterans
- A PodCast featuring Lisa A. Brenner PhD
The International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) recently interviewed Dr. Brenner regarding an article she co-authored A Qualitative Study of Potential Suicide Risk Factors in Returning Combat Veterans (Brenner, L., Gutierrez, P., Cornette, M., Betthauser, L., Bahraini, N., Staves, P. (2008) Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 30(3):211-225).
Hear the PodCast here.
- How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family: Guides Targeting Age Groups 4-8, 9-13 and 14-18
- Description: This information sheet is intended to serve as a guide for adults to use when talking with a 4-8, 9-13 or 14-18 year-old child about a suicide attempt in the family. It is not intended to replace the advice of a mental health professional. In fact, it may be best to use this along with professional support if you or your child is struggling with how to talk about this difficult topic. It is important to consider the child’s level of development and ability to understand events when deciding how to talk with them about this issue.
Download:
How to talk to a 4-8 year old about a suicide attempt
How to talk to a 9-13 year old about a suicide attempt
How to talk to a 14-18 year old about a suicide attempt
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide - A Manual for Clinicians and Care Providers
- There is a need for more resources that are specifically targeted toward TBI survivors who may be considering suicide.
- Based upon this need, researchers at the VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) produced this information and resources guide.
- The target audience is clinicians and care providers working with TBI survivors.
- Download the 31 page manual.
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