VITAL: Suicide Prevention for Student Veterans Aaron Ahern, Ph.D.

Challenges facing veterans High rates of mental health disorders and suicide among OIF/OEF/OND Veterans Rural Veterans are especially at risk The Intermountain West has one of the highest rates of rurality and frontier regions in the Nation Utah and Southeastern Idaho have the highest percentage rates of unit deployment into combat zones in the US

Challenges facing veterans Poor mental health functioning compounded by low rates of health care utilization OEF/OIF/OND Veterans have been found to have a range of reintegration difficulties including: developing and maintaining personal relationships with civilians anger management substance use legal problems successful completion of work and school related tasks. Successful reintegration is a critical topic for Veteran health and suicide prevention

Scope of the problem National Statistics on Veteran Suicide (August 2017) In 2014 An average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day Suicide rate among all veterans was 38.4 per 100,000 Suicide risk for veterans was 22% higher than U.S. civilian adults Trend from 2001 until 2014 Rate of suicide among U.S. veterans increased by 31.1%

Scope of the problem Utah Specific Statistics on Veteran Suicide In 2014 Overall suicide rate in Utah was 25.8 per 100,000 Suicide rate for veterans in Utah is statistically significantly higher than the Utah civilian and national rate for veterans 62.4 per 100,000

Data regarding VA suicide Of the veterans that commit suicide only 30% were receiving services at the VA From 2001 until 2014 the rate of suicide for veterans receiving VA services increased 9% The suicide rate for non-VA user increased by 39% The suicide rate for civilians increased by 23%

Importance of going beyond VA Dr. Craig Bryan’s testimony before senate committee on veteran’s affairs 9/27/2017 “… our efforts must extend beyond the walls of our VA facilities. If we confine our efforts solely to the VA, we will not have a significant impact on overall Veteran suicide rates. We must therefore seek to complement suicide prevention efforts in the VA with suicide prevention efforts in the community at large” Mention that our peers have been trained in CRP?

VITAL Suicide prevention The VITAL program is uniquely poised to serve as a mechanism for effective suicide prevention VITAL can address the risk factors for suicide preemptively by: Proactively reaching out to veterans Helping them overcome obstacles in their path to success Reducing suicide through aiding veterans in living productive and meaningful lives

What is VITAL? Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership Approx. 25 sites nationally Covering 8 schools locally Veterans bring unique experiences and skills, but face unique challenges and obstacles in the university setting VITAL program aids student veterans in adjusting to the academic setting, helps them overcome obstacles that might impede academic success, and supports them in completing their educational goals.

Roles Outreach Care coordination Mental health treatment Training for faculty and staff

Outreach To Veterans To VA, on campus, and community organizations Raise awareness of benefits and services to which they are entitled Aid veterans in accessing needed services To VA, on campus, and community organizations Develop collaboration between diverse systems in order to create a network of resources for student veterans

Peer to peer outreach Systematic outreach to student veterans Assess needs Case management/referrals to resources on campus, in the community, and at the VA Help with educational benefits Guidance/support Help overcoming stigma related to help seeking and mental health Crisis response planning as needed

Care Coordination For the student veteran: One stop source for all things VHA/VA Help navigating a complex and intimidating system Help with enrollment Referrals to appropriate providers Outlet for frustrations with the system When possible advocate for resolution of concerns

Care Coordination Documentation of functional impairments for accommodations from the disability resource center Aid in adjustment to civilian/academic life Addressing how to manage military versus academic/civilian cultures and identities Referral to a network of providers on campus and or the community; Ex. Veterans Support Center, Tutoring, Veterans upward bound, Disability resource center, certifying official, Counseling center, Health center

Mental Health Treatment Provide a variety of mental health services on site Individual therapy Including EBTs for PTSD Family therapy Psychological testing to properly diagnose learning disabilities/ADHD

VITAL’s Outcomes N = 70 (At least 3 contacts with VITAL) 7% had graduated 80% still pursuing education 13% no longer pursuing education 3 working, 3 had moved, 1 school closed 97% of the respondents stated that the VITAL program had been helpful to them in academic pursuits 76% stated “very helpful” 98% of the respondents stated that the VITAL program had been helpful to their mental health 75% stated “very helpful” Qualitative data Academics: 3% Not helpful, 6% A little helpful, 15% Moderately, 76% Very Helpful Mental health: 2% Not helpful, 10% A little helpful, 13% Moderately, 75% Very Helpful

Panel Discussion Luis Fuentes, Lead VITAL Peer SLCC Brian Livesay, Lead VITAL peer Idaho State

Contact information D. Aaron Ahern Dennis.Ahern@va.gov 801-828-6787

Questions?