Suicide-Specific Training Experiences and Needs Among Military Mental Health Providers

Abstract

Background

Military suicide rates have risen over the past two decades, with a notable spike in recent years. To address this issue, military mental health providers must be equipped with the skills required to provide timely and effective care; yet little is known about the suicide-specific training experiences or needs of these professionals.

Methods

Thirty-five mental health care providers who treat active duty personnel at military treatment facilities participated in this mixed-methods study. All participants completed a survey assessing training and clinical experiences, comfort and proficiency in working with patients at risk for suicide, and perceived barriers to obtaining suicide-specific training. A sub-set of participants (n = 8) completed a telephone interview to further describe previous experiences and perceived challenges to obtaining training.

Results

The majority of participants (79.4%) had 6+ years of clinical experience, had a patient who had attempted suicide (85.3%), and completed at least one suicide-related training since finishing their education (82.4%). Survey results showed the leading barrier to enrolling in suicide-specific trainings was perceived lack of training opportunities (40.7% reported it was a barrier “quite often” or more), followed by lack of time (25%). Interview results revealed lack of time, location and logistical issues, and low perceived need for additional training among providers could impede enrollment.

Conclusions

Study results identified several modifiable barriers to receiving suicide-specific continuing education among military mental health providers. Future efforts should develop accessible training programs that can be easily integrated into routine clinical operations to mount the best defense against suicide.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Military mental health providers report significant experience and relatively high degrees of comfort and proficiency working with patients at high risk for suicide.

• Most providers reported receiving training in suicide assessment and screening; few reported prior training in management of suicidality.

• Study results identified several modifiable barriers to receiving suicide-prevention continuing education among military mental health care providers; future efforts should seek to develop accessible training programs that can be easily integrated into routine clinical operations to mount the best defense against suicide.

Keywords:

• Military suicide
• suicide prevention
• professional development

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) would like to acknowledge the commitment and cooperation of the participating health care providers.

DISCLOURE STATEMENT

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

DISCLAIMER

I am a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government. This work was prepared as part of my official duties. Title 17, U.S.C. §105 provides that copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government. Title 17, U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties.

Report No. 21-45 was supported by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Joint Program Committee 5, Suicide Prevention Working Group under work unit no. N1706.

The views expressed in this manuscript reflect the results of research conducted by the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. The study protocol was approved by the Naval Health Research Center Institutional Review Board in compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects. Research data were derived from an approved Naval Health Research Center Institutional Review Board protocol, number NHRC.2017.0013.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Joint Program Committee 5, Suicide Prevention Working Group.

Notes on contributors

E. A. Schmied

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

L. H. Glassman

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

S. R. Carinio

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

R. G. Dell’Acqua

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

C. J. Bryan

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

C. J. Thomsen

Dr. Emily Schmied, MPH, PhD, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego, CA, USA Ms. Sarah Carinio, BS, and Dr. Lisa Glassman, PhD Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA; Leidos Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Ms. Renée Dell’Acqua, MPH, Health Promotion Services, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Dr. Craig Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Dr. Cynthia Thomsen, PhD, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA