Overview
Access to lethal methods of self-harm such as firearms and medications increases risk for suicide. As such, VA/DoD guidelines for the care of individuals with elevated suicide risk include recommendations that clinicians deliver interventions to reduce access to lethal methods of suicide among patients who are identified as having elevated suicide risk. However, no interventions have been developed or tested among Veterans with elevated suicide risk. The aim of this study is to pilot test a lethal means safety intervention developed specifically for Veterans who seek care in VHA clinical settings and are identified as having elevated suicide risk.
Description
The investigators will pilot the LMS intervention among up to 50 Veterans to assess feasibility and acceptability.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Encounter at VHA ED or urgent care setting, outpatient mental health, women's
health, or primary care
->17 years
- Discharged home from the encounter (rather than hospital admission)
- Positive Columbia Screener
- Patient-reported access to self-owned firearms and/or medications
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to consent due to cognitive impairment, severity of illness (including psychiatric symptoms), intoxication with drugs and/or alcohol
- Unreliable telephone access
- Unreliable video access (because remote intervention)
- Those currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness
- No mailing address
- Active opioid or stimulant use disorder
- Active alcohol use disorder with daily alcohol consumption
