Tools and Training
The Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM) provides free education and resources that promote therapeutic best practices for community or VA providers working with Veterans at risk for suicide.
You are welcome to schedule a free consultation with SRM experts to learn about these tools and how you can use them in your practice.
Clinical Tools
SRM provides clinical tools to assist providers in delivering therapeutic risk assessment and management. These resources are often discussed during consultation calls where we help apply them to a specific case or clinical question.
Clinical Practice Guideline for Suicide Prevention
The purpose of the CPG for Suicide Prevention website is to provide guidance on implementing the updated Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for Patients at Risk for Suicide. By translating the CPG recommendations into tangible strategies, the website provides a detailed roadmap and resources for how to apply them to service members and Veterans.
Lethal Means Safety Counseling
Facilitating lethal means safety counseling is a key component to suicide prevention; these resources offer information about lethal means that can be used to engage patients in a meaningful discussion about this important topic. Lethal Means Safety Counseling trainings are available for CEU's for both VA and non-VA providers.
Measures
Suicide risk assessment completed via clinical interview can be augmented with objective measures. Learn more about how to integrate measures into risk assessment:
- Webinar: Why Suicide Risk Assessment Matters presented by Drs. Hal Wortzel and Bridget Matarazzo, April 2020
- Article: Risk Management of the Suicidal Patient: Augmenting Clinical Suicide Risk Assessment with Structured Instruments
- Toolkit: Suicide Risk Assessment Toolkit by the Mental Health Commission of Canada
SRM consultants recommend a variety of measures depending on the specific needs of the Veteran. Examples of measures that are available at no cost include:
Risk Stratification
Feel confident when evaluating and documenting a Veteran's level of risk of suicide. As a best practice, we recommend documenting both acute and chronic levels of risk. Learn more and download the Risk Stratification tool. Download examples of how to document your risk stratification.
Risk-Benefit Analysis
SRM consultants commonly talk to providers who feel confident about their clinical decision making but are unsure of the best way to document it in the medical record. We recommend documenting a risk-benefit analysis. Accurate medical record documentation increases communication between a patient's caregivers and leads to more informed decision making. For best practices and documentation strategies, download Risk-Benefit Analysis documentation examples.
Suicide Postvention
Individuals who are exposed to suicide loss may be at increased risk for suicide themselves. Suicide postvention is a suicide prevention strategy and best practice designed to support suicide loss survivors. SRM consultation is available to providers serving Veterans who would like support surrounding a suicide loss and/or to consult on suicide postvention practices. Visit the Uniting for Suicide Postvention Website to learn more about postvention resources.
Therapeutic Risk Management (TRM) with Patients at Risk for Suicide
Therapeutic Risk Management (TRM) with Patients at Risk for Suicide is a clinically, medically, and legally informed model for the assessment and management of suicide risk. SRM consultation can assist you in determining how to collaboratively use TRM with the Veterans you serve.
Trainings
These trainings offer basic and advanced information relevant to Veteran suicide prevention.
CPG for Suicide Prevention Quarterly Spotlight Topic
Each quarter, the SRM lecture offers a spotlight on the CPG. The purpose of these lectures is to provide guidance on implementing the updated VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at risk for Suicide (CPG). To receive information on these lectures, (e.g., topics, speakers, and registration) please subscribe to this email distribution list.
Learn more about the CPG for Suicide Prevention trainingsSAVE Training through PsychArmor
Developed in collaboration with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this SAVE training strives to empower providers to play a vital role in suicide prevention. Training objectives include a greater understanding of suicide in the United States and how to identify and engage a Veteran at risk of suicide.
Learn about SAVEHealth Services Research & Development (HSR&D) Cyberseminar Series
HSR&D Cyberseminar Series offers state-of-the-art training and special interest sessions, such as the Spotlight on Suicide Prevention series (search "Suicide Prevention" at the top where it says "Search HSR&D") to find this series. CEU's are available if you register before the upcoming webinars.
Find upcoming and archived presentations
