Veterans Crisis Line Callers With and Without Prior VHA Service Use

Abstract

This study examines differences between Veterans with and without prior Veterans Health Administration service use who received a clinical referral from the Veterans’ Crisis Line. Differences between groups were identified using data taken from 13,444 calls and medical records. Approximately 91% of Veterans had a history of service use and 9% did not. Callers with prior service use were older, had more mental health disorders, made in-person contact more quickly, and used more outpatient mental healthcare. Those without prior service use were younger, had more mental health problems, and presented for care later. Callers with suicide-related diagnoses had high rates of service contact. These groups represent different subpopulations with unique healthcare needs and practices.

Keywords:

• suicide
• telephone counseling
• veterans

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Peter C. Britton

Peter C. Britton, US Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY and Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY.

Marek S. Kopacz

Marek S. Kopacz, US Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY.

Brady Stephens

Brady Stephens, US Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua, NY.

Robert M. Bossarte

Robert M. Bossarte, Post-Deployment Health Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC.