Shows
Practical for Your PracticeSaying Nothing is Worse Than Saying The Wrong Thing: Suicide Postvention for ProvidersHow do we support providers who are impacted by suicide loss? Although most of us are familiar with the importance of suicide prevention, we are less familiar with the concept of suicide postvention. Dr. Megan Harvey of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC joins us on this episode to discuss how we can compassionately and effectively support providers coping with a suicide loss, either professional or personal. Tune in for this important discussion.Dr. Harvey is a psychologist with over 15 years of experience working within the VA Health System. She provides consultation and other services as part of the...
2024-01-2940 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionStudent Veterans and the Meaning of LifeSearching for the meaning of life is only natural. A meaningful life leads to a sense of purpose, self-esteem and psychological well-being. How do life experiences that are unique to Veterans alter these feelings? In this episode, Dr. Edgar Villarreal speaks with VA researcher Dr. Adam Kinney and Army Veteran, Jeff Moe to find out. They discuss how Kinney’s research, on meaning in life among Student Veterans with combat exposure, relates to Moe’s life experiences. His journey from military to student life led to supporting others as a Student Veteran Outreach Coordinator with the VA VITAL program.
2022-09-0344 minShort Takes on Suicide PreventionPTSD and Exercise: finding recovery through fitnessIt is well known that exercise can improve both physical and mental health. But what about preventing and treating PTSD in Veterans? In this episode, Dr. Edgar Villarreal speaks with researcher Dr. Daniel Reis and Army Veteran Adam Holt. Through the lens of both research and lived experience they explore exercise as an alternative treatment option for Veterans living with PTSD. Reis shares the findings of his article that reviewed research on the effect of exercise on PTSD symptoms in Veterans. And Holt shares his own journey from struggling with trauma, substance use and suicide attempts to literally running from...
2022-06-0433 minShort Takes on Suicide PreventionHomelessness, Veterans and Suicide Risk: Research PrioritiesVeterans experiencing homelessness face unique challenges that increase their risk for suicide. In this episode, Dr. Edgar Villarreal talks to our guest Dr. Ryan Holliday about the need for research focused on this population. They discuss an article that explores research priorities identified by experts and Veterans with lived experience in suicide prevention and homelessness who came together in a recent VA meeting. Today's conversation covers reaching Veterans with the services they have access to, upstream interventions and the need for tailored approaches for subgroups such as women and men or rural and urban. Targeted research will help broaden...
2022-04-2326 minShort Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Risk Among Veterans with TBI, ALS and StrokeAcquired neurologic conditions can lead to functional challenges and changes that might increase risk for suicide. In this episode, Dr. Jordan Wyrwa and Dr. Lisa Brenner discuss three recent research papers on suicide rates among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Stroke. They talk about the similarities and differences of how these conditions impact mental health and offer guidance to providers on suicide risk screening and lethal means safety. Learn more from the resources below. Transcript: Short Takes Episode 132 Transcript Articles Discussed: Suicide and Traumatic Brain Injury Among Individuals Seeking Ve...
2022-01-3029 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAn Observational Study of Cannabis and PTSDSeveral states in the US have legalized medical cannabis as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that many Veterans experience. While many people with PTSD use cannabis products, questions remain about the effectiveness. In today’s conversation, forensic neuropsychiatrist Dr. Hal Wortzel talks with our guest host, Dr. Suzanne McGarity, about his recent observational study on cannabis use among people with PTSD. They discuss the nature of observational studies, the current state of the research and the results of this recent study. Transcript: Short Takes Episode 131 Transcript Article: The long-term, prospective, therapeutic im...
2021-12-0518 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionCommunity Partnerships for Preventing Veteran Suicide Short Takes Episode 130 Transcript The VA is known as a leader in suicide prevention, offering innovative approaches to preventing Veteran suicide. And yet, many Veterans are not enrolled in VA care. It is therefore imperative that community organizations that serve Veterans have the resources and knowledge to help with veteran suicide prevention. The Patient Safety Center of Inquiry - Suicide Prevention Collaborative is an innovative partnership with community agencies that serve Veterans, such as homeless programs, veteran service organizations, private mental health clinics, and legal services. In this episode, Dr. Bryann DeBeer, Clinical Research Psychologist...
2021-09-2522 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionBeyond Prevention: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for LifeSuicide prevention is a worthy goal itself, but it’s about more than stopping just one suicidal event – it’s also important to address the emotional pain underlying suicide and build a meaningful life that’s truly worth living. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, known as ACT, is a therapy approach that helps people experience their emotions in a new way, take perspective on their thoughts and build a more meaningful life. Is ACT a useful approach for addressing suicide? In this episode, Dr. Sean Barnes, clinical research psychologist at the VA Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention, talks with guest hos...
2021-07-3121 min
Before You Kill Yourself: a suicide prevention podcast.Dr. Sean Barnes: ACT therapy for suicidal thoughts and working with the mess of lifeJoining us today is Dr. Barnes, who obtained a PhD in clinical psychology from Binghamton University in 2011 following a pre-doctoral internship at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. He then joined the Rocky Mountain MIRECC as a fellow in the VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment. Dr. Barnes completed fellowship, became licensed in the state of Colorado, and joined the Rocky Mountain MIRECC team as a full clinical research psychologist in 2013.TWITTER: @drseanbarnesWEBSITE: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn19/staff/barnes.aspIf you want go from feeling hopeless...
2021-06-0957 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTransition from Military to Civilian Life and Suicide Risk with Mark Reger and Brady StephensThe transition from military to civilian life can be an important time for service members. For many, it is an exciting life transition. For some, however, it can be a time of high stress, and even crisis. Whether it’s changes in social support, financial stress, a change in identity, or a cultural adjustment, some service members struggle during this period and are at heightened risk for suicide. What are the factors that increase suicide risk during that transition? Which service members are at the highest risk? Do length of service and military branch matter? What outreach and...
2021-02-1426 min
Seeking the Military Suicide SolutionSTMSS48 - Dr. Bridget Matarazzo - Risk Identification and Clinical Consultation for Suicide PreventionAbout Today’s Guest: Dr. Bridget Matarazzo is a Clinical Research Psychologist and the Director of Clinical Services at VA’s Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at the Denver VA Medical Center and obtained a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver in 2010. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Colorado.Dr. Matarazzo is passionate about applying implementation science research to promote the dissemination and imple...
2020-12-1528 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide risk and PTSD with Nasi Bahraini and Ryan HollidayThe relationship between PTSD and suicide is important to understand if we want to prevent suicide among veterans and military service members. So what is the relationship between PTSD and suicide? Well, according to suicide and PTSD researcher Dr. Ryan Holliday…. It’s complicated! In this conversation, Dr. Holliday talks to fellow MIRECC Psychologist, Dr. Nazanin Bahraini, about his review of the recent research on suicide risk and PTSD. They discuss who is most vulnerable for suicide, and what drives suicide risk. Dr. Holliday talks about how clinicians can navigate these complex factors to help their clients in t...
2020-11-2427 min
Seeking the Military Suicide SolutionSTMSS37 - Dr Pete Gutierrez - Research on Community Based Suicide PreventionAbout Today’s Guest: Peter M. Gutierrez, Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist at the VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC). Dr. Gutierrez's clinical training was in child and adolescent psychology, with an emphasis on serious psychopathology and suicide. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He has been studying suicide, focusing on screening, assessment, and intervention for over 20 years.Dr. Gutierrez is a Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). He was the 2005 recipient of the AAS Shneidman Award for outstanding con...
2020-09-2932 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThoughts on Post-traumatic growth and Suicide with Dr. Daniel DeBruleIn our last show for season 4 we close with a look at post-traumatic growth and suicide with Dr. Daniel DeBrule. Daniel was mentored by Drs. Lawrence G. Calhoun and Richard G. Tedeschi and brings that wisdom and ideas to this podcast.
2020-08-2542 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTalking with Ted Bonar during the early days of COVID-19We recorded this podcast in early April just as we were still trying to understand what life would mean during the pandemic. I didn't start working on the podcast until the end of July and was worried if it would still hold up. I think it does for the most part though we are all a little wiser. One part that I really like was when Ted talks about how he got interested in working with Veterans. It was through his practicum at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago. I bring this up to encourage students to...
2020-08-1142 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionA Sister and Survivor Looks Back 40 YearsI read a column in the gardening section of the Denver Post in spring of 2019 and stumbled on the writer Chryss Cada. In the last two paragraphs she announced that this was her last column that she'd be dedicating the next portion of her journey on telling the story of losing her brother, Mark, to suicide when he was 15 and she was 12. We touched base but it was too early in her journey. Chryss got back in touch when she had finished her writing and we accomplished this podcast. Take some time to listen please.
2020-07-2843 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionDancing on Compassion Fatigue with Tara RyndersSome time ago Adam attended an immersive theater presentation at Rose Medical Center across the street from our old VA medical center. The performances, First Do No Harm and The Clinic, were performed in the hospital and bring the audience into the experience in a wholly different way. Tara recently recorded COVID Stories. With Adam she discusses art as a way to heal.
2020-07-1439 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention in Long-term Care with Evan PlysThis week we talk with gero-psychologist Evan Plys, PhD about suicide prevention in long-term care settings; from independent-living to assisted-living to nursing home. Evan has volunteered and worked in long-term care since he was young and has a special affinity for our elders. He offers advice on how to discuss suicide within these settings and with this population. He also discusses the idea of creating an environment which promotes wellness and a life worth living.
2020-06-3049 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Intersection of Homelessness, Justice Involvement and Suicide Prevention the VAFor this episode we turn the mic over to Ryan Holliday a clinical and research psychologist at RMIRECC. Ryan asked for the mic so he could interview two Sean's. The first is Shawn Liu with the VA Programs for the Homeless and the second Sean Clark, VA Veterans Justice Outreach. The three team up to get in depth on the intersection Homelessness, Justice Involvement and Suicide Prevention. They also make the case why every clinician working with Veterans should get to know their local VA staff working in homelessness and justice involvement.
2020-06-1649 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionA Mobile Safety Planning App with Dr. Pearl McGee-VincentAdam Hoffberg got a chance to talk with Dr. Pearl McGee-Vincent, of the National Center for PTSD Dissemination and Training Division about the updated release of the app PTSD Coach. The wildly respected and used app now includes a digital safety plan for suicide prevention. Pearl takes us on a guided tour of the app and how it can make a difference in the lives of Veterans.
2020-06-0239 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTrauma Informed Design with Laura Rossbert and Jennifer WilsonMy partner came across an article from The Colorado Trust on Trauma Informed Design. The article was titled, "Using Trauma-Informed Design, Buildings Become Tools for Recovery". The article lead me to Jennifer Wilson, a social worker and research associate with the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research at the University of Denver. Jennifer agreed to the podcast and invited Laura Rossbert, Chief Operating Officer at Shopworks Architecture to join. We have talked about trauma informed care and I just had to find out about trauma informed design. Laura and Jennifer will help you gain an appreciation of the 3 C's...
2020-05-1952 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAddictions and Suicide PreventionThis week Adam is in conversation with Shane Kraus to talk about addiction and suicide prevention. Dr. Kraus discusses the behavioral addictions: gambling and sex. The great thing to hear is that both are responsive to treatment and there are many treatment resources within the VA. It starts by talking and by listening.
2020-05-0528 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWoVeN: Women Veterans NetworkAs the producer for the Short Takes podcast I usually just sit back while Adam interviews our guest. This week both Adam and I sat out while we turned the mic over to Tara Galovski, the co-director WoVeN - the Women Veterans Network. Tara interviewed 3 WoVeN leaders and they had such a great time telling their story. You just know this group works and loves one another and what they are doing.
2020-04-2128 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionCards for Connection with Katie JuhaszThis week Adam talks with Katie Juhasz from the National Center for PTSD. They talk about a new product called Card for Connection. Cards for Connection is a free resource that puts simple coping skills and VA phone numbers directly into Veterans’ hands. Originally created for Veterans who had experienced homelessness, the card deck has now been updated with information for all Veterans. The 52 cards in the deck have easy-to-implement coping skills and important phone numbers, such as the Veterans Crisis Line and the Help for Homeless Veterans line. As a result, Veterans playing a game o...
2020-04-0725 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTibetan Singing Bowls with John FergusonThis is such a great podcast to drop right now with all the uncertainty of COVID-19. This podcast with John Ferguson and Adam Hoffberg contains two meditations from John using his Tibetan Singing Bowls. Listen to the meditations and I think you'll get an idea why the program John describes, yoga and Tibetan singing bowls, just might work. Take care.
2020-03-2445 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionMeet Dennis GillanAdam saw Dennis' Ted Talk and knew he had to reach out and learn more and see if there was a fit for a podcast. Did Dennis have more to say beyond what he told us in the Ted Talk. It turns out he did. Much more.
2020-03-1031 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionObjective Zero with Justin Miller and Chis MercadoThe VA's public-private partnership gets another turn of the mic with Adam Hoffberg interviewing Justin Miller and Chis Mercado from Objective Zero. Justin and Chris are the heart of the Objective Zero origin story and the power of listening. Listen to their story and how it has inspired many, many others to reach out and help. Visit their website: https://www.objectivezero.org/
2020-02-1133 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionCaringBridge with Liwanag OjalaThis is the last in our series from the VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference. Adam wanted to get together with groups that are part of the public-private partnership that the VA has formed to promote Veteran well-being. CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network that rallies community around people on health journeys. Their platform gives patients and caregivers a place to update family and friends, ask for help and get support and encouragement.
2020-01-2829 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionK9 Partners for Patriots with Remi and Jimmy TatumTo start a new year we are going to shamelessly play the dog card because dogs are just great! (Cats are great too but this episode features Jimmy Tatum and Remi. Adam is also on this episode too but it really is Remi and Jimmy and the great work that K9 Partners for Patriots does. The mission of this group is, "To give veterans and active military a second chance at life by honoring and empowering those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma through the experience of training and caring for their own...
2020-01-1421 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionBouts with Burnout: Managing Work-related Stress Across the Suicide Prevention FieldWe participated in this Short Take as a follow-up to our panel at the 2019 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference titled, "Bouts with Burnout: Managing Work-related Stress Across the Suicide Prevention Field." We were honored to have so many engaged attendees and wanted to offer an opportunity for folks who could not attend to learn more about our panel. Our team included Monireh Moghadam, LCSW, who presented lessons learned and prevention approaches for clinicians and suicide prevention coordinators. Aaron Barrow (Peer Support Specialists) who talked about his experiences with being Veterans in recovery and working with suicidal Veterans. Jason Chen...
2019-12-3130 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe State of Suicide Prevention at the VAThis episode bring Matt Miller back in the studio with Adam. Last time we spoke with Matt he was the director of the Veterans Crisis Line. This time he joins as the National Director for Suicide Prevention at the Veterans Administration. They discuss the VA's public health approach and the National Strategy to Prevent Veteran Suicide and the latest developments in research efforts.
2019-12-1737 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe VA/Clergy Partnership for Rural Veterans with Chaplain Steve SullivanFor part 4 of our Moral Injury series Georgia Gerard interviews Chaplain Steve Sullivan about how he helped create the VA/Clergy Partnership for Rural Veterans. This partnership brings together community clergy, mental health providers, and others to help veterans gain access to both VA and community care and support. Steve worked to establish six ongoing VA/Clergy “community action boards” (CABs) in rural sites throughout Arkansas. He also served as Implementation Lead for the VA Community Clergy Training Program from 2016 to 2019. Steve has served as a hospital and VA chaplain for the last 15 years. Steve currently works as the "Commu...
2019-12-0333 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTime and Space and Keep On Keeping on with George StoudemireThis week's episode was recorded at the VA/DoD Suicide Prevention in Nashville, TN, August 2019. Adam was at the conference and had put out the word that he was available to record podcasts. And so he met George Stoudemire. George is a Violence Prevention instructor for US Air Force. He got involved in the program after a 2nd suicide attempt. He heard that "To be part of the solution, I needed to be part of the process." And he has had a deep, personal dive into being part of the process and being part of the solution. And that...
2019-11-1920 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionDuane France and all he bringsWe first met Duane at a VA Mental Health Summit in Colorado Springs in 2018. We had heard of him through his Twitter presence @ThCounselingVet, knew he did his own podcast titled Head Space and Timing, was a combat Veteran, a licensed therapist and an author of Combat vet don't mean crazy: veteran mental health in post-military life and found out he is a heck of a nice guy. While it took over a year for us to get together and record this podcast and another 9 months to get it out we are proud to finally get him on our...
2019-11-0539 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionModeling to Learn (Test. Don't Guess.) with Dr. Lindsey ZimmermanFunded by the National Institutes of Health and the Veterans Health Administration, scientific study of Modeling to Learn is underway to determine its effectiveness increasing delivery of evidence-based addiction and mental health care (NIDA R01DA046651 and R21DA042198; HSRD I01HX002521; PI: Zimmerman). The Modeling to Learn program supports multidisciplinary teams of frontline psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing and certified peer support specialist providers in the Veterans Health Administration. This podcast with Dr. Zimmerman introduces the participatory Modeling to Learn effort including the facilitators, workgroup leads, key partners and co-investigators who learn with frontline staff from MTL data and simulat...
2019-10-221h 10
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Colorado Coalition for the HomelessThis episode we dedicate to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. This session was recorded in December 2018. Since this discussion James and Tammy have left the Coalition.
2019-10-0840 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWork as Suicide Prevention with Dr. Nathan AinspanOn this week’s episode of the Rocky Mountain Short Takes on Suicide Prevention we dialed up Dr. Nathan Ainspan a research psychologist from the DoD Transition to Veteran Program Office. If you have ever been unemployed you know what it can do to your emotional well-being. Top that off with the financial effect and you can understand how this can increase risk for depression and wreak havoc on your sense of purpose. Nate talks passionately about the idea of purpose, dedication and mission as a cornerstone of well-being. And that can start with employment, but he th...
2019-09-2428 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionInsomnia, Treatment, and Finding a Path to Better Sleep with Drs. Carolyn Greene and Andrew MoonTo bring effective, innovative treatment to the up to 50% of Veterans entering VA health care who have Insomnia Disorder, VA has developed an online training course called “Path to Better Sleep.” In this podcast, Dr. Sarra Nazem, from Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention, interviews clinical psychologists Dr. Carolyn Greene and Dr. Andrew Moon from VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention about Insomnia Disorder, the link between Insomnia Disorder and suicide, and how VA is bringing treatment directly to Veterans through the free, self-directed, online training course “Path to Better Sleep.”
2019-09-1026 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Risk Assessment: A new look at an old tool and why it remains essentialFor episode 100 we are going back to our guest from episode one, Dr. Peter Gutierrez. That first episode was Risk Factors, Warning Signs, and Drivers of Suicide and is a great introduction for someone coming into the clinical field of suicide prevention. In it Pete says, “Think of warning signs and risk factors as a map; drivers are the specific route your patient is traveling.” In episode 100 we bring Pete back because of a paper that recently came out, “Investigating the reliability of suicide attempt history reporting across five measures: A study of US military service members at ris...
2019-08-2722 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionChain Analysis for Suicidal Thoughts and BehaviorsThis week we hand the mic to 2 researchers/clinicians, Sean Barnes and Lauren Borges, who explain how to use chain analysis in a treatment setting. Chain analysis is a truly collaborative approach that enlist the client to take a deep dive into the chain of events that lead up to the target behavior they want to change. It is a way to focus on "the processes that lead to the suffering." The work starts with the client deciding what the target behavior they want to change is, and then going back along the chain to the prompting event (first...
2019-08-1355 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionVeterans Trauma Courts with Judge David Shakes, Col (Ret.)In this podcast, Judge Shakes describes how the Veterans Trauma Court is modeled after problem-solving drug courts. The court is for Veterans ready to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. The Veterans are connected to services that might range from the Veterans Administration, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, the Vet Center, the Family Care Center, the Peer Mentor Program, Operation TBI Freedom, and other community organizations. Judge Shakes talks about the role that trauma and/or substance abuse plays in the lives of these Veterans and how the skills they learned and used when in the military can be...
2019-07-3048 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for Schools“Speak the name of the beast and it will retreat;” When it comes to suicide postvention in school settings, “…it’s not whether or not we talk about it, it’s how we talk about it.” Join our host, Dr. Sarra Nazem as she welcomes Stan Collins, an expert with 20 years of postvention experience within school settings. Together they discuss considerations for developing and implementing a suicide postvention plan to assist students, teachers, administrators, and the surrounding community, and stress the importance of developing this plan even before a suicide loss occurs in an academic setting. Be sure to also check out...
2019-07-161h 01
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for Crisis CentersSuicide postvention is “not something we should wait to talk about,” especially within crisis centers. Proactive training and planning are extremely beneficial to suicide postvention for crisis lines or call centers like the Veteran Crisis Line (VCL). Learn more about what crisis centers do & how crisis centers support their callers, their employees and the agencies they work with in this episode with our host Dr. Sarra Nazem and guests, Greg Hughes, LISCW and Joi Sabrina, LPC from the VCL.
2019-07-0259 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionManaging Legal and Ethical Considerations after a Suicide LossRemember “Compassion over Caution” when considering legal and ethical challenges that may arise when working with patients who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Tune into this episode with our host Dr. Sarra Nazem, as Dr. Vanessa McGann and Skip Simpson, JD discuss suicide postvention ethical and legal considerations. They provide recommendations on how to manage confidentiality and liability queries that may arise both before and after a suicide loss in a manner that is ethical, legal, and helpful to personal and professional healing.
2019-06-1839 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for Military Settings“We grieve because we love;” join Kim Ruocco, Vice President of T.A.P.S., and Dr. Maggie Guglielmi of the Stratton VAMC who are leaders in providing suicide postvention for those who are military connected or a part of the Veteran community (including supervisors, providers or professional caregivers who work with military personnel and veterans). In this episode, hosted by Dr. Sarra Nazem, they discuss cutting edge recommendations for postvention processes, as well as how to establish and utilize suicide postvention teams and peer support for these loss survivors. Be sure to check out the resources discussed in this...
2019-06-0352 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for Medical SettingsBalancing administrative needs and clinical support are essential to postvention in medical settings. Listen to this episode to learn from the breadth of experience that Drs. Sung and Myers have carrying out suicide postvention processes and providing suicide postvention training and support for employees, supervisors and patients within medical settings. Together with our host, Dr. Nazem, they break down recommended best practices and provide suggested resources to help optimize suicide postvention processes.
2019-05-201h 02
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionFood insecurity as “nutritional functioning” with Dr. Diana BrostowThis week, Adam interviews Dr. Diana Brostow, a Research Nutritionist at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC, about her work in food insecurity. She shares how our understanding of food insecurity is changing: It cannot be seen as strictly a poverty issue, i.e. “no money = no food = hunger”, but instead is a complex problem, shaped by social, psychological, cultural, and environmental forces. Diana shares her research findings on nutrition and mental health, explains how she is reframing food insecurity as “nutritional functioning”, and outlines future directions for this line of investigation.
2019-05-1547 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for Mental Health Centers and Private Practices: Join our host, Dr. Sarra Nazem, and Dr. Larry Berkowitz and Eliza Jordan Dolan, LISCW of the Riverside Trauma Center as they share their experiences and expertise consulting for, participating in, and implementing suicide postvention in a variety of mental health settings. In this episode, they provide recommendations and resources for developing and fine-tuning an inclusive suicide postvention process to best serve all individuals within a mental health center or private practice that may be affected by suicide loss.
2019-05-0646 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionVeterans Treatment Courts with Joseph EllisVeterans Treatment Courts (VTC) are an alternative to community corrections and the Department of Corrections. It’s an opportunity for our former service members that may find themselves in the justice system to identify and treat mental health and substance use issues that they wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to address. Treatment courts have been around 30 years and Veterans Treatment Courts have been around for around a decade. The difference in VTC is that our courts offer veterans specific treatment for issues like trauma and post-traumatic stress as well the opportunity to work with a veteran ment...
2019-04-2448 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention Practices for the WorkplacePostvention plans are necessary for every workplace; Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas is a psychologist and suicide loss survivor with expertise on how to provide support for those affected by suicide loss. Tune into this episode with our host Dr. Sarra Nazem as she and Dr. Spencer Thomas discuss the role of suicide postvention in the workplace, recommendations for how to put a postvention plan in place, who within a workplace should be involved, and workplace postvention resources that can be used today.
2019-04-2237 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionExperiencing a Suicide Loss: Professional Caregivers:Postvention is for providers too; Professional caregivers, such as mental health providers, medical providers, social workers, trainees, case managers, psychiatrists or supervisors are likely to be exposed to a suicide loss at some point in their career. Join Dr. Nazem as she and the co-chairs of the American Association of Suicidology Clinician Survivor Taskforce, Drs. Nina Gutin and Vanessa McGann, discuss why suicide postvention is beneficial and necessary for providers, the components of a postvention plan, and recommendations for how to develop and implement postvention in professional caregiving workplaces.
2019-04-1544 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionExperiencing a Suicide Loss: Family and FriendsThe time after losing a loved one to suicide is like being on a roller-coaster blindfolded; tune in as our host Dr. Sarra Nazem and Dr. Nina Gutin guide us through the lived experiences of family members and friends after a suicide loss. Together they establish what this experience is like for both individuals impacted by the loss and for those around them. They’ll communicate what to expect and how to both provide and seek support for oneself or loved ones including children and adolescents. Dr. Nina Gutin is a suicide loss survivor, clinical psychologist, and pioneer in th...
2019-04-0833 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention 101Postvention is Prevention; join our host Dr. Sarra Nazem as she and Dr. Jack Jordan lay a foundation for understanding what suicide postvention is, what it entails, who it is for, and why it is essential to a comprehensive suicide prevention plan. Jack Jordan, PhD is a clinical psychologist, grief therapist and published researcher in the field.
2019-04-0155 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Conversation with a Veteran after 'Thank You for Your Service' with Jacquelyn BengfortEarly in 2019 I saw a simple tweet thanking the Armed Service Arts Partnership (ASAP) for their help in launching a book of poetry. Intrigued, I first wanted to know who was helping Veterans publish their poetry (and you can learn more about this great organization at www.asapasap.org) and then wanted to learn more about the author of the poetry, Jacquelyn Bengfort. So, I messaged her on Twitter and authors do what authors do, she wrote back. We were lucky to be in Washington DC to record most of this face-to-face with a short segment rerecorded over the...
2019-03-2143 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionLived Experience and Traumatic Brain InjuryThe Coalition for Recovery and Innovation in Traumatic Brain Injury Care Across the Lifespan (CRITICAL) was developed in 2017 to advance patient-centered outcomes for adults living with moderate to severe TBI. The coalition consists of survivors of TBI and their caregivers as well as TBI professionals (clinicians, researchers, and advocates). Funded through a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award, the CRITICAL aimed to 1) develop resources for empowering individuals with cognitive impairments to collaborate on research and 2) develop a national research agenda for improving the lives of those living with moderate to severe TBI. Adam spoke with Pri...
2019-03-1854 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSafety Planning in the Emergency Room (It Works!) with Drs. Barbara Stanley, Greg Brown and Lisa BrennerAdam Hoffberg connected with this high-powered trio to talk about a study they did comparing safety planning intervention with follow-ups versus usual care of suicidal patients. The study changed policy and procedures at the VA, just saying. Greg gives a brief tutorial on safety planning, Barb talks about why follow-up care is important and Lisa discusses future implications.
2019-02-2733 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWhy We Need to Talk Firearm Safety When We talk about Suicide Prevention with Dr. Michael AnestisFirearms can be one of the most divisive issues facing Americans today. But saving lives is a topic we can all get behind. Lethal means safety is a ripe frontier in suicide prevention with an emerging evidence base and growing support from all sides. Join host Adam Hoffberg as he interviews guest Dr. Michael Anestis from the Suicide and Emotion Dysregulation Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mike tackles common myths about the relationship between firearms and suicide, he provides context on how variants of means safety have played a key role in other public health phenomena, and...
2019-02-131h 00
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionGender Minority Stress with Dr. Raymond P. TuckerTransgender veterans appear to experience suicidal thoughts, attempt suicide, and die by suicide at rates that exceed that of the general population and their cisgender veteran peers. Adam Hoffberg spoke with Dr. Raymond Tucker, clinical psychologist and an assistant professor of clinical psychology at Louisiana State University, about his work that attempts to understand this increased risk. Dr. Tucker discusses his recent research regarding gender minority stress (e.g., discrimination, transgender shame, and fear one’s gender identity would be discovered) and their relationship to suicidal thoughts in transgender veterans. Dr. Tucker also discusses his research that indicates access to t...
2019-01-1626 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionOn Ethnography in Implementation Science with Lindsey MartinDr. Lindsey Ann Martin, a medical anthropologist from the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas discusses with Adam the role of ethnographic methods in the field of implementation science at the recent 2018 D&I conference in Washington, DC. In this podcast, Lindsey talks about how she is using ‘periodic reflections’, a method developed by Drs. Erin Finley (San Antonio VA) and Alison Hamilton (Greater Los Angeles VA), to evaluate a facilitation strategy to implement video telehealth to home (VTH) for rural Veterans. Lindsey describes how ‘periodic reflec...
2019-01-0911 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionOn Moral Injury - A Treatment Perspective with Dr. Chris CoronaIn this podcast Georgia interviews Dr. Chris Corona, post-doctoral fellow at the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, to continue the discussion on moral injury. Moral injury is a relatively new concept and our understanding of how it relates to suicide risk is limited. Dr. Corona provides a thorough overview of moral injury and ways providers can assess and treat moral injury as well as sharing findings from current research on moral injury and suicide risk in a population of Veterans with substance use disorders and ideas for future research.
2018-12-1232 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionOn empathy and Caring with Lena HeilmannLena Heilmann lost her sister Danielle to suicide in 2012. In response to this traumatic loss and as a way to honor her sister, Lena transitioned from her role as a college professor to working in suicide prevention. Now, as the Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, Lena merges her lived experience with coordinating a SAMHSA Youth Suicide Prevention Grant. In this podcast, Lena talks about how her grief and loss survivor identity inform her work and her personal mission. Adam and Lena's conversation also addresses the role of upstream prevention efforts, an overview of...
2018-11-0733 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPredictive Analytics to Reach Veterans at RiskThis podcast release is coinciding with a HSR&D Cyberseminar "REACH VET: Applying Predictive Analytics to Clinical Practice." The HSR&D website will have a recording of the seminar. Adam speaks with Aaron Eagan, RN MPH, about the use of predictive analytics to identify Veterans at highest-risk of suicide and intervenes clinically to review and enhance care.
2018-10-1529 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionA Conversation with Dr. Michael Kauth - A Lifetime of Achievement in Veterans CareDr. Michael Kauth is a clinical psychologist and has two major roles in the VA. He is Director of the VHA LGBT Health Program – a position shared with Dr. Jillian Shipherd – and he is also Co-Director of the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center. In addition, Dr. Kauth is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Recently he received The American Psychological Association, Division 18, James Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement and later this week he and Dr. Shipherd will be receive the 2018 Achievement Award from the Gay/Lesbian Medi...
2018-10-1038 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionMilitary Sexual Trauma (MST) - A Discussion for this timeWe recorded this podcast to coincide with a series of online trainings that Dr. Monteith is conducting and because this is a particular time in our country where sexual assault is on the minds of many. Lindsey discusses with Adam how we can take a public health approach to sexual violence, one where we can all take responsibility for ending the violence and helping victims heal. Her research of late has taken a qualitative approach where survivors are given a chance to speak in their own voice and make their own choices. She reminds us to listen with compassion...
2018-10-0423 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionGiving Credibility to Other Views with Jess Stohlmann-RaineyI read Jess' piece, "Hegemonic Sanity and Suicide" in San Francisco during a rather desultory conference. The essay is a fresh look at a topic we all spend so much time thinking and talking about. For this podcast Jess came into our office at the new Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, we sat by the window and talked. Jess had a lot of intriguing things to say about how we, society, think of mental health and how our collective inability to understand and accept differences places some of us on the margin and not part of the whole. And once...
2018-09-2647 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionMaking Room for Voices All Around with Annmarie Matulia and Tracey Pacheco MedeirosI went to Annmarie and Tracey's website, A Voice at the Table, and the banner shows a winter scene, bare trees in the snow. Then I started editing the recording that Adam did of these two wonders during the 2018 Bridging the Divide conference her in Denver. Listening to these two felt like coming in from the cold and sitting at the table in their kitchen. Laughing and talking big subjects and enveloped in warmth and fine company. Listen to this podcast and immerse yourselves in the power of the human spirit.
2018-09-1942 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence & Suicide Prevention with Drs. LeAnn Bruce, Keita Franklin and Lindsey MonteithThis podcast is an excellent example of the collaborative relationship between the VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program and the VA Suicide Prevention Program in their mutual efforts to prevent both intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicide for those who have served. Dr. Bruce is the National Program Manager for the VHA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, which serves Veterans, their partners, and VA staff impacted by intimate partner violence. Dr. Franklin is the Executive Director, Suicide Prevention for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. And Dr. Monteith is a research...
2018-09-1236 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Manidookewigashkibjigan Sacred Bundle: R.E.S.P.E.C.T (Respect, Engaging, Supporting, Protecting, Empowering, Connecting, and Teaching) ProjectThank you for MIRECC’s, for your interest in the Sacred Bundle Project. We are a Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Tribal grantee, with the full name of our project being “Manidookewigashkibjigan Sacred Bundle: R.E.S.P.E.C.T (Respect, Engaging, Supporting, Protecting, Empowering, Connecting, and Teaching) Project. We are primarily focused on youth suicide prevention concerning Native American/Alaskan Native individuals ages 10-24 years old. We work with 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan and spread the message that everyone is a #HealingHelper.
2018-09-0527 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionMilitary Sexual Trauma - Trauma Informed Care with Ryan HollidayAdam Hoffberg interviewed Psychology Fellow Dr. Ryan Holliday about the research he is doing related to Military Sexual Trauma. This is a podcast that you could describe to your kids with something like, "Kids, I heard Doc Holliday’s original podcast before he became really big." You talk with Ryan and you just know he knows a lot (about evidence-based treatment, MST and PTSD) and isn't afraid to break it down for you. This podcast is also worth a listen if you want to hear Ryan try to get Adam to laugh. Apparently, it is not that easy.
2018-08-2229 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAn Ecological Approach to Suicide Prevention with Dr. Emma Elliott-GrovesWhile Adam was interviewing Dr. Elliott-Groves we both watched in awe as she started drawing out the concepts she was so clearly discussing. Emma is a member of the Cowichan Tribe, a First Nation people on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Taking an ecological approach to her work she brings the listener into a world view of community and relationships that helps better plan interventions.
2018-07-2517 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWhat if We...? Taking a New Look at Risk with Drs. Jessica Ribeiro and Joseph FranklinWhat if we all woke up one day. Listening to Drs. Jessica Ribeiro and Joe Franklin is kind of like that; waking up to a new day and a new way to look at what we have assumed for so long when it comes to risk. Joe electrified the crowd at AAS with a keynote that introduced a new paradigm for suicide research. Later Jess continued the discussion by questioning "What We Risk by Maintaining the Status Quo About Suicide Risk". Here we had the chance to talk with both at once and listen has they riffed on their...
2018-07-2526 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Role of Daily Interpersonal Interactions in Suicide Risk with Dr. Katie LewisIn this podcast Adam Hoffberg and Dr. Katie Lewis discuss how daily social experiences operate as risk and/or protective factors against suicide. Dr. Lewis is a Research Psychologist at the Austen Riggs Center and a recent AFSP Young Investigator Grant recipient for her research, which utilizes ecological momentary assessment methods to study the social drivers of suicidal ideation in adults contending with complex chronic psychopathology. Adam and Dr. Lewis talk about the importance of studying the daily social experiences of individuals with chronic suicidal ideation, and the challenges (and benefits!) of implementing experience sampling research designs in active...
2018-07-2519 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention and Greek Life on College CampusMarshall is a social media whiz who came to our attention at AAS. Marshall is a Religious Studies Major Randolph-Macon College and took a look at campus Greek Life as it relates to suicide and suicide prevention. Another examination of a community and it's response to suicide.
2018-07-1812 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Gaming Community Comes to the Rescue with Stack Up's Elvis WaldenAdam sat down with Elvis Walden from StackUp.org. There was a social during AAS for folks involved in social media and these two gamers got to talking and one thing led to another and before you know it they produced a podcasts. What I like about Stack Up is they have built another community where people can get together and support one another. We have done a number of podcasts that feature Veterans finding and building community around a shared activity, this time gaming. And it works.
2018-07-1823 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionHealth Promotion in the VA with Daniel DeBruleAdam talks with Dr. Daniel DeBrule about a wholistic approach to suicide prevention. Dan is with the Houston VA and leads a program and research exploring how health and well-being team up for suicide prevention.
2018-07-1820 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Journey of a Loss Survivor with Janet Schnell, MSW, LSWAdam sat down with Janet during the 2018 AAS conference this spring in Washington DC. Janet is, amongst other things, the Loss Division Chair for the American Association of Suicidology. Her journey began over 20 years ago when her brother died by suicide. Grief comes in many forms and is expressed many ways. Listen as Janet describes the journey she embarked upon with her own grief; how it lead to helping others on their journey.
2018-06-2712 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPostvention an Introduction with Sarra Nazem and Elaine de MelloDr. Sarra Nazem, Clinical Research Psychologist at Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention, hosts her first podcast with Elain de Mello, LICSW, and the Supervisor of Training & Prevention Services for The Connect Program. Sarra will soon be launching The VA Suicide Postvention Resource Center. She wanted to interview Elaine because of Elaine’s work in postvention and specifically with The Connect Program.
2018-06-2711 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAFSP Suicide Outreach Program with Doreen Marshall and Shannon DonnickSuicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is an organization with chapters across the country, whose mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. One of the many programs sponsored by AFSP is the Survivor Outreach Program, which provides support to those who have recently lost a loved one to suicide. The program, available in-person, by phone, or video call, connects recent survivors of suicide loss with trained loss survivors who’ve had time to heal, know what these people ar...
2018-06-2016 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionLived Expertise with DeQuincy LezineAdam caught up with DeQuincy on the 2nd day of the AAS conference in the evening just before a movie showing. We were all a bit spent but game. DeQuincy is a suicide attempt survivor who has been active in suicide prevention since 1996, including roles in the development of national and state suicide prevention plans. He received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from UCLA, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester focused on public health approaches to suicide prevention. Dr. Lezine is the Co-Chair of the Consumer Survivor Subcommittee for the National Suicide Prevention...
2018-06-2012 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAFSP Survivors of Suicide Loss Day with Doreen Marshal and Brandon EnglishInternational Survivors of Suicide Loss Day takes place on November 17, 2018. Known as Survivor Day, the event, which is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope. In 2017, there were close to 400 Survivor Day events in more than 20 countries. Here to talk with us about Survivor Day, and how people can heal from a suicide loss, are Doreen Marshall, who is AFSP’s...
2018-06-2015 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionNever Worry Alone - The VA Suicide Risk Management Consultation ProgramIn this episode Adam has a great talk with Dr. Bridget Matarazzo about the VA Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program. The program has recently expanded so that anyone working with a Veteran and concerned about suicide can contact them for a free consultation. Bridget discusses the idea behind the service and the great team (Hal S. Wortzel, MD, Sarra Nazem, Ph.D., Georgia Gerard, LCSW, Kaily A. Cannizzaro, PsyD, and Peter Gutierrez, Ph.D.) that provides the consultation.
2018-06-0615 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionVeterans Crisis Line: History, Purpose, and a Look Ahead with Director Matt MillerCurious about the Veterans Crisis Line? Join us for an in-depth conversation with VCL Director Matt Miller about its purpose, history, and what the future holds. Matt takes us on a journey from VCL's initial launch in 2007, to right now, for the ribbon-cutting of the 3rd call center in Topeka, Kansas. We talk about how VCL has expanded to meet increasing demand, responding to over 2000 calls each day. Matt tells us about the services VCL offers, who can use them, and how responders are trained to support Veterans and their loved ones. He also walks us through what happens wh...
2018-05-2531 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Warrior to Soul Mate Program with Clyde AngelIn this episode Georgia Gerard continues her exploration of spirituality and moral injury as she discusses the Warrior to Soul Mate Program with Clyde Angel, Chief, Chaplain Service and National Coordinator for the Warrior to Soul Mate Program at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Warrior to Soul Mate Program is based on a program created by the nonprofit PAIRS Foundation (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills). Clyde and Georgia take a deep dive into relationships for returning warriors and a method to heal them.
2018-05-1645 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTreatment Works for Vets the WebsiteAdam discusses the new website www.mirecc.va.gov/treatmentworksforvets with Dr. Brad Karlin. The website has two purposes. The first is to introduce Veterans to the idea of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, especially for insomnia and depression (others will be added later). Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBP) are treatments that have been shown to work; they have been tested and work. The other part of the website is for clinicians and focuses on Shared Decision Making, a process in which the provider sits down with the person interested in getting treatment and together they decide on what EBP is best for the...
2018-05-0719 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention Master Series with Dr. Jerry ReedThis podcast is the beginning of a new occasional series where we interview Masters in Suicide Prevention. Jerry Reed, PhD, MSW, Education Development Center’s Senior Vice President for Practice Leadership and Lead for the U.S. Division’s Suicide, Violence, and Injury Prevention Portfolio, shares his professional journey from the early days of his career experience to his current position of being a well-known leader and expert in the suicide, violence, and injury prevention fields. Dr. Reed shares the background behind development of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) and the launch of the...
2018-04-0950 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionSuicide Behavior and Chronic Pain with Dr Margaret LegarretaJoe interviews Dr. Legarreta about the work she and her colleagues at the Salt Lake City office of Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention are doing regarding suicide prevention and chronic pain. In her latest paper Margaret looks at how catastrophic thinking patterns can increase suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Margaret explores the need to treat the mind/body connection in your clinical work.
2018-03-1419 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionThe Role of Health Promoting Behaviors with Dr. Bryann DeBeer In this podcast Adam Hoffberg interviews Dr. Bryann DeBeer, a suicide prevention researcher and clinical research psychologist at the VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, and an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center. Dr. DeBeer discusses her interesting research which examines risk factors for suicide in Veterans. Her work also focuses on translating these findings into new actionable suicide prevention techniques. Adam and Dr. DeBeer talk about how these findings fit into clinical practice in order to help clinicians improve their work with clients at risk for suicide.
2018-02-1433 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionPromoting Lethal Means Safety to Prevent Veteran SuicideWhat is it about Lethal Means Safety (LMS) that makes a difference in suicide prevention? LMS is about increasing the distance between thoughts of suicide and action. In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Joseph Simonetti, MD, MPH, physician and suicide prevention researcher with the Rocky Mountain MIRECC. Dr. Simonetti guides us through the fundamentals of lethal means safety, why it’s important, and provides suggestions on how to ensure that conversations about lethal means safety are Veteran-centered. We focus specifically on firearms considering their disproportionate lethality and that firearm-related injuries account for more than...
2018-01-1720 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionNever Worry AloneOne-on-one consultation at no charge for VA and Community Providers who serve Veterans with specific questions about Suicide Risk Management. Speak directly with staff psychologists and physicians about: Assessment Conceptualizing and Stratifying Suicide Risk Lethal Means Safety Counseling Treatment Engagement Evidence-based Resources for Suicide Risk Management (e.g., how to best mitigate risk in “x” populations) Postvention
2017-12-1700 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionHelping Others Hold OnPsychArmor Institute’s FREE online course Helping Others Hold On provides tools and tips to recognize, understand, and combat suicidal feelings in Veterans. Course leaders Dr. Craig J. Bryan, Executive Director of the National Center for Veteran Studies at The University of Utah, and Carie Rodgers, Ph.D., Education Director of PsychArmor Institute provide an overview and discuss the coded language of suicide, the importance of sleep, and crisis response planning.
2017-12-0648 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTransgender Veteran Mental Health CareIn honor of Transgender Awareness Month, Dr. Shelby Scott, Denver VA Clinical Psychologist and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veteran Care Coordinator, spoke with Adam Hoffberg at the Denver VA Rocky Mountain MIRECC to provide a thorough introduction to this topic. Dr. Scott discusses specific clinical recommendations that can improve the way all VA providers serve our transgender Veterans, medical and mental health services provided by the VA, and how to get connected to additional VA and community resources!
2017-11-2055 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWhy and How Now Means Now with Ursala Whiteside PhDAt the Bridging the Divide Conference we chatted with Ursula Whiteside and she told us why Now Means Now and how caring messages can go such a long, long way
2017-10-1817 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionAn Agency Approach to Zero Suicide with Richard T. McKeon, Ph.D., M.P.H.From the 2017 Bridging the Divide Conference we had a short conversation with Richard T. McKeon, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Suicide Prevention Branch for SAMHSA.
2017-10-1814 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionA State Approach to Zero Suicide with Sarah Brummett M.A., J.D.This is the first part of a second trilogy on Zero Suicide. Sarah Brummett is the Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention for the State of Colorado. Sarah discusses how the Zero Suicide system approach looks when applied to a whole state. It is amazing.
2017-10-1812 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionLife Experience Captured with Dese'Rae L. StageLive Through This #Stay...captured through the art, the lens, the stories of our lived experience. Adam caught up with Dese'Rae earlier this summer and this conversation is the result. I was listening in on the other line and she blew me away with her everything-ness. Adam would ask her about how she came up with this or that idea and Des would just say something like, "I got bored one day so I wrote this program/created this movie/started this movement." Yes, of course you did and we all benefited.
2017-09-0631 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionWhy’s it gotta be this hard? (Maybe it doesn’t)Sometimes it can feel like making real progress in mental health (and perhaps especially suicide prevention) is an overwhelming, sometimes impossible task. How can we counter the “bigness” of the job? Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder of Give an Hour, gives this advice: Go Simple. Offer simple actions, like donating an hour weekly. Play to individual’s strengths, and build big change by harnessing the collective power of many individual’s “small” contributions. Give an Hour’s Campaign to Change Direction use this same strategy. “The Five Signs” help create a common language, and everyday way to talk about mental health in a...
2017-08-2342 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionDavid Jobes and a Long History of Improvement and InnovationEarlier this summer I called Dave and hit the record button. What followed was a chance to look forward into the future of suicide prevention based on 30 years of work and research in our chosen field of suicide prevention. Listening to Dave you can get the sense that we are on the cusp of dramatic changes in how we treat the individuals in our care.
2017-08-091h 04
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTrauma Informed Care with Leah Harris, M.A.We caught up with Leah Harris at the 2017 Bridging the Divide: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Summit in Denver earlier this spring. Her keynote address was titled "How I Went from Wanting to Die to Loving Life: A Resilience Journey." We continued the conversation in this summertime length podcast.
2017-07-2612 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionA Pocket Guide for Clinicians for Management of Chronic PainAdam Hoffberg discusses Chronic Pain with colleagues from the VA VISN 16 South Central MIRECC. Drs. Aruna Gottumukkala and Paul Sloan created a timely resource called the "Pocket Guide for Clinicians for Management of Chronic Pain." With the opiod epidemic raging in the background this podcast is ever so timely.
2017-07-1241 min
Short Takes on Suicide PreventionTeam Rubicon: Regaining a sense of purpose, community and identityMelissa continues her community reintegration series with Amanda Burke from Team Rubicon. The Team Rubicon message is "Disasters are our business. Veterans are our passion." And you'll hear it in Amanda's voice as she describes her own journey and her continuing passion.
2017-06-2823 min