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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions and answers about the Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program (SRM). If you have additional questions, please reach out to us at SRMConsult@va.gov.
- What is the Suicide Risk Management (SRM) Consultation Program?
- SRM is a free consultation program for VA or community providers who work with Veterans at risk for suicide. SRM offers tailored, one-on-one support on topics including: Risk assessment, conceptualization of suicide risk, lethal means safety counseling, strategies for how to engage Veterans at risk, best practices for documentation and provider support after a suicide loss (postvention).
- What is SRM's relationship to VA?
- SRM is led by the VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (RM MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention and is funded by the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP). The RM MIRECC is a leader in suicide prevention research, education, and clinical interventions. All consultants are VA employees and are licensed in their discipline. SRM consultation and resources are based upon best practices and research conducted in the VA and the community.
- Who does SRM serve?
- SRM serves both VA and community providers working with Veterans who are at risk for suicide. Please note that SRM does not provide direct care or support to Veterans. Instead, it is a resource for providers.
- If you are a Veteran in crisis, or you are concerned about one, free confidential support is available 24/7 by calling the Veteran's crisis line at 988 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online.
- Is SRM confidential?
- Yes, all information discussed during the consultation process is confidential. Additionally, we ask that providers do not share any identifiable information about patients with our team.
- How does the SRM Consultation Program work?
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- Providers can email SRM at srmconsult@va.gov to request a consultation.
- SRM staff typically respond within one business day and will assist with scheduling a virtual meeting or will address your question over email, if preferred.
- The SRM consultant and requesting provider meet virtually for an in-depth discussion about the provider's concerns and/or questions.
- The requesting provider will receive a follow-up anonymous survey afterward to help us continually improve the service.
- Can SRM be helpful to me?
- Caring for Veterans at risk for suicide can be stressful and emotionally challenging. Stress can impact the therapeutic relationship, clinical decision making, and documentation. SRM consultants work collaboratively with providers to increase their confidence by providing concrete tools and support that promote therapeutic best practices.
- VA providers who utilize SRM consistently report:
- high levels of satisfaction with the consultation
- consultants are knowledgeable and supportive
- recommendations are helpful
- using recommendations with other Veterans
… The consultant provided reassurance we are doing the right thing, as well as direction on how to move forward. We left the consultation with much more confidence than what we began with.
2 months after the consultation, a provider reflected on how their approach to suicide risk management changed.
… I have more tools, and the quality and clarity of documentation is improved. The validation and support helped reduce burnout.
- What makes SRM unique?
- SRM consultants are experts in Veteran suicide risk assessment and management. They are both clinicians and well-informed researchers. This allows them to provide consultation that is based on the most up-to-date literature in the field and can easily be applied to your clinical work with a Veteran at risk of suicide.
- How can SRM assist non-VA providers?
- The VA Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program offers education, training, information, and consultation regarding suicide risk assessment and management to non-VA providers who care for Veterans outside of the VA system. SRM offers expert guidance on subjects that come up frequently in the course of caring for Veterans at risk for suicide. In accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act, we cannot provide direct guidance or consultation regarding the care of a specific Veteran, nor assume clinical responsibility for patients not under our care.
Additional Information
- SRM Fact Sheet for Community Providers
- SRM Fact Sheet for VA Providers
- SRM Postvention Fact Sheet
- More SRM materials are available on the Share SRM page
