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Suicide Prevention

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Are you concerned about a Veteran loved who has thoughts or behaviors related to suicide?

How family members can support a Veteran loved one in staying safe from suicide

Family members are often the first to know that a Veteran in their family is struggling

  • Thoughts of suicide may not be easily discussed at first. Hopeless statements, poor self-care, risky behavior and giving things away might be the first signs that family members notice.
  • Family members often have the most influence over the situation, but it is easy to prompt resistance when talking about sensitive topics, so it is hard to imagine that this is true.
  • You may have not been successful at previous conversations with you Veteran loved one, but taking a different approach can help.
  • Learning to listen rather than trying to give advice is one of the most important first steps.
  • If your relationship has a lot of conflict, it may be helpful to find another family member, friend, or battle buddy who may be interested in helping by talk to you Veteran loved one.
  • If you worry about the threat of violence in your relationship, seek domestic violence support.
  • Contact Coaching Into Care through email, CoachingIntoCare@va.gov, if you are a close family member, living with or near the Veteran, and would like to receive coaching about how to talk your Veteran about suicide risk.

Do you need help talking to your Veteran about suicide?

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Coaching Into Care-Suicide Prevention: A Pilot Study

Principal Investigator: Steven L. Sayers, Ph.D., CMC VA Medical Center (Philadelphia, PA)

Study Description

The purpose of the study is to examine how acceptable and useful is a family member-based coaching method to improve household safety among Veterans at increased risk for suicide. If you join the study you will be provided resources about talking with your Veteran loved one about suicide. A coach will discuss this information with you to help you use this communication safely and effectively, as well as complete some questionnaires and an interview about your experience in the study.

Requirements of the Study

  • A research coordinator will discuss your potential eligibility for the study
  • If you are eligible and choose to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online consent and questionnaires about yourself, your family and the Veteran in your life
  • Participate in telephone based coaching, 2-4 calls about 25 minutes in length
  • Willing to complete questionnaires at the conclusion of the telephone sessions and again in 3 months after you completed the first questionnaires
  • brief telephone interview about your experiences in the study will be conducted at the time you complete the final questionnaires, which will be audio-recorded.
  • Participation in the study lasts about 3 months

Who Can Participate - You may eligible if you fit these criteria

  • You are a close family member of a Veteran who you are concerned has a risk of suicide, based on comments he or she has made about suicide or actions that the Veteran has taken
  • Able to have contact with the Veteran easily (e.g., lives with or less than an hour’s drive away)
  • Are not at risk in the relationship of conflict that may harm you (i.e., may experience physical violence or fear this happening)
  • If the Veteran appears to have psychotic symptoms that interfere with his or her functioning, or you feel too psychological overwhelmed to participate then the study is not a good fit for you

Compensation

  • You will be paid up to $120 total to participate in the study
  • Able to have contact with the Veteran easily (e.g., lives with or less than an hour’s drive away)
  • Contact Jasmine at (215) 823-7831 for information about participating in the research study
  • Any help you are eligible to receive with the family coaching-suicide prevention service will not be affected

Read Information About Specific Mental Health Topics

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