An Environmental Scan of Suicide Prevention Resources for Older Veterans in Primary Care

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Previous research has identified the critical role of primary care for suicide prevention. Although several suicide prevention resources for primary care already exist, it is unclear how many have been created specifically for older veterans. This environmental scan sought to assemble a compendium of suicide prevention resources to be utilized in primary care.

Methods

We searched four academic databases, Google Scholar, and Google to identify available suicide prevention resources. Data from 64 resources was extracted and summarized; 15 were general resources and did not meet inclusion criteria.

Results

Our scan identified 49 resources with three resources specifically developed for older veterans in primary care. Identified resources shared overlapping content, including implementing a safety plan and lethal means reduction.

Conclusion

Although only 10 of the identified resources were exclusively primary care focused, many of the resources had content applicable to suicide prevention in primary care.

Clinical Implications

Primary care providers can use this compendium of resources to strengthen suicide prevention work within their clinics including: safety planning, lethal means reduction, assessing for risk factors that place older veteran at increased risk of suicide, and mitigating risk factors through referral to programs designed to support older adult health and well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Older veterans
• primary care
• suicide prevention resources
• Veteran suicide prevention

Acknowledgments

Data are available upon request.

Content does not represent the official views of the Department of Veteran Affairs or the United States Government.

This work was conducted in conjunction with The Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program and funded by VA Office of Research and Development and Dr. Sullivan’s time funded by CIN-13-419. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at VA Providence Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare System.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2023.2234901

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [HSR&D CIN-13-419].