The Validity of a Brief Risk Assessment Tool for Predicting Suicidal Behavior in Veterans Utilizing VHA Mental Health Care |
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| Authors: | Neal Doran PhD Sharon De Peralta RN Colin Depp PhD Ben Dishman PharmD Lindsay Gold LCSW Robert Marshall RN Dawn Miller LCSW Shannon Vitale LCSW Maria Tiamson‐Kassab MD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA;2. VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | Suicide risk among military veterans is an important and ongoing concern. The Veterans Administration (VA) mandates suicide risk screening of all veterans seen for mental health issues, but little is known about the effectiveness of this screening. A retrospective chart review to examine all suicide risk screens at VA San Diego between October and December 2012 (n = 3,365) was conducted to assess whether results were associated with suicidal behavior over the subsequent 12 months. Patients judged to be at increased risk for suicide were 3 to 16 times more likely to attempt suicide and 7 to 25 times more likely to engage in self‐directed violence over the next 12 months compared with others. The screening tool may be a useful addition to clinical practice. |
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