In This Issue

Feature Topic

Be There for Veterans and Service Members

Encourage PTSD treatment during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September marks the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This annual awareness campaign reminds us that simple acts of kindness can help those with suicidal thoughts seek care.

What factors increase suicide risk?

Among Veterans, the risk of suicide may increase due to trauma that happened during combat. How intense and how frequent the combat trauma was can affect suicide risk.

In one study, Veterans who were hospitalized for a combat injury, or were wounded in combat more than once, had higher suicide risk. Other trauma not related to combat can also increase suicide risk in Veterans, such as military sexual trauma (MST). PTSD and other mental health concerns like depression and substance use can also increase risk of suicide.

Resources to help Veterans

VA's National Center for PTSD has resources to help Veterans who have PTSD and suicidal thoughts:

• Learn about treatment options for PTSD, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. Research shows that when PTSD symptoms decrease during treatment, suicidal thoughts may become less frequent.
• Explore the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid, an online tool that helps you learn about and compare effective treatments, so that you can work with a provider to choose the best option for you.
• Hear Veterans share their unique stories of living with PTSD and the impact that treatment had on their – and their families' – lives with AboutFace.

This September, let us remember that our Nation's Veterans have made countless sacrifices to keep our country safe. It is our duty and honor to give back to them.

Spread the word that PTSD treatment works, and that suicide prevention awareness is a priority for all of us.

If you are thinking about suicide and feel unsafe:

Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day.

• Veterans: PRESS "1" after being connected, to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Veterans can also chat live online with a crisis counselor to get help at any time of day or night. Go to the Veterans Crisis Line.
• The Veterans Crisis Line also responds to text messages. Send a text to 838255.
• En Español 1-888-628-9454

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For Providers

Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting.

This program is now open to Community Providers.

PTSD Lecture Series

• September 19th: PTSD and Women's Mental Health, Suzanne Pineles, PhD

Mark your calendar: Third Wednesday of the month at 2pm ET and download a calendar reminder to save the date.

Subscribe

Sign up to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

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Research at the Center

Predicting Suicide Risk Among VHA Patients with PTSD

Researchers are studying suicide risk and resilience, and developing risk profiles for trajectories using machine learning, in data from a longitudinal study of VHA patients with and without PTSD. This multi-year study will enhance clinician ability to predict suicide in clinical practice.

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PTSD in the News

PTSD Treatment Works for Vet, 48 Years After 'Nam. Army Veteran Jerry Boggess talks with AboufFace producer Vicky Bippart about his experiences with PTSD treatment on the VAntage Point Blog. Read more.*

The National Center for PTSD will be launching a new website in September. Stay tuned!

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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