Training & Brochures

• Safety Plan Treatment Manual (PDF) and
  Safety Plan Pocket Card (Color)/(Black & White) (PDF)
  The manual & pocket card describe a brief clinical intervention, safety planning, that can serve as a valuable adjunct to risk assessment and may be used with Veterans who have made a suicide attempt, have suicidal ideation, have psychiatric disorders that increase suicide risk, or who are otherwise determined to be at high risk for suicide. The Safety Plan Pocket Card PDF is intended for reference purposes. To receive the Safety Plan Pocket Card and other suicide prevention materials in printed form, contact your local VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator using the online resource locator at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/resourcelocator.
• Operation S.A.V.E. (PDF)
  Operation S.A.V.E training (also available in a text format) will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a person who is suicidal. The acronym summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in suicide prevention.
  • Signs of suicidal thinking
  • Ask questions
  • Validate the person’s experience
  • Encourage treatment and Expedite getting Help
• Suicide Risk Assessment Guide (PDF) and
  Suicide Risk Pocket Card (Color)/(Black & White) (PDF)
  The pocket card was developed to assist clinicians to make an assessment and care decisions regarding patients who present with suicidal ideation or provide reason to believe that there is cause for concern. The reference guide provides more specific information and the rationale for the sections on the pocket card. The Suicide Risk Pocket Card PDF is intended for reference purposes. To receive the Suicide Risk Pocket Card and other suicide prevention materials in printed form, contact your local VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator using the online resource locator at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/resourcelocator.

Tool Kit

Suicide Prevention Coordinator’s Resource Guide and Tool Kit

This tool kit contains five key resource guides that are designed to support the suicide prevention coordinators’ efforts in providing resources to those affected by a Veteran’s self-directed violent behavior.

The resource guides are as follows:

• Responding to suicide warning signs: Information and support for the Veteran’s family members and friends
  This resource guide may be shared with family members and/or other supporters of a Veteran when they are concerned s/he may be at risk for a suicide attempt.
• Responding to suicide warning signs: Information and support for VA employees and supervisors
  This resource guide provides information for VA employees and supervisors who are concerned about an employee known to be at risk for suicide.
• Responding to suicide warning signs: Information and support in the context of military culture
  This resource guide offers information as well as guidance to help an individual understand self-directed violent thoughts and behavior within the context of differing cultures associated with military.
• After a suicide: Information and support for those left behind
  This resource guide may be shared with family and friends to provide helpful guidance and information including how to access support.
• What to do if a Patient Dies by Suicide: Guidelines for Professionals (By Paul Quinnett, PhD)
  This is a recommended reference for professionals who may want to initiate postvention services following a completed suicide.

In addition, the appendix of each resource provides a listing of a myriad of additional resources to help the clinician find and access important resources for Veterans and their loved ones.