Preventing Suicides Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families: Why We Need to Consider Lethal Means and What We Can Do

 

Join us for the first session in the Suicide Prevention Virtual Event Series focusing on strategies to prevent suicide among our service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF).  This series will be hosted by SAMHSA’s SMVF Technical Assistance (TA) Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  These sessions are designed to be both interactive and informative.

As communities develop comprehensive approaches to suicide prevention for SMVF, “means reduction” that is military culture informed is a critical component that must be considered.  Session 1 in the Strategies to Reduce Suicide Among SMVF Virtual Event Series will feature Megan McCarthy, Ph.D., who will discuss military culture-informed strategies that can be used to reduce access to lethal means, including poisoning and firearms for individuals who are at high risk of suicide.  While suicidal thoughts are most often brief and temporary, access to lethal means during times of elevated distress and risk too often translates fleeting thoughts of suicide into tragedy.  This interactive session will focus on veteran-centered approaches to lethal means safety and include examples to help participants develop an effective strategy for reducing veteran suicide.