b'|Suicide Prevention Workplan - Los Angleles |33 |34 |Suicide Prevention Workplan - Los Angleles|35 Older AdultsVeterans and Their Families In 2017, 93 veterans Data consistently shows that suicide rates are highest among middle aged and older adults. Suicide rates areVeterans are more likely to experience certain risk factors than the generaldied by suicide in Los particularly high among older men, with men ages 85 and older having the highest rate of any population group.population. The course of their duties often involve frequent and lengthyAngeles County. Of Higher frailty among older adults means that suicide attempts are more likely to result in death than attemptsdeployments, sometimes to hostile environments (though deployment to combatthese, 95% were male, among younger people. Older adults often plan more carefully and use more lethal means, such as rearms.does not necessarily increase risk). They are often exposed to extreme stress,65% were white and Although numerous cultures around the world and some cultural groups within the United States revere oldernot just during deployments but also including physical/sexual assault while in51% were over the age adults for their experience and wisdom, many Americanseven older Americanstend to regard the agingthe service (not limited to women). Service-related injuries can exacerbateof 70. process negatively, and there is a substantial focus on and value for youth and youthfulness. These attitudeschallenges that elevate risk. Finally, veterans typically have ready access to and contribute to misconceptions that depression and even suicidal thinking are inevitable parts of aging. Thesefamiliarity with rearms. Suicide prevention strategies that focus on veteransBetween July 2017 attitudes can become barriers to recognizing warning signs and seeking help for conditions that are treatable.should also include services and supports for their families, who often experienceand June 2018, 18,115 The gerontological literature suggests that for many, well-being, satisfaction in relationships, frequency ofstress and hardship related to the challenges the veteran is experiencing as wellpeople with a Los positive emptions, all improve with age (43, 44). as deployments (44, 45). The foundation for a Veteran Suicide PreventionAngeles area code strategy is the recognition that: reached out for help by The graphic below depicts the complex interplay between risk factors that are more commonly seen in older1. Veterans safety is a shared responsibility between the U.S. Department ofselecting the veteran adults.Veterans Affairs (VA) and community-based providers, as numerousoption when calling the THE 5 Ds OF LATE LIFE SUICIDE veterans at risk elect not to seek care through the VA; National Suicide 2. Veterans family members are also at risk and must be part of the equation; and Prevention Lifeline.DISEASE DISCONNECTEDNESS 3. Veterans are not a monolithic group and deserve solutions that are informed Source: California Department of .and isolated DEPRESSION by gender, nature of military experience, and other dening attributes. Public Health, Epicenterfrom social supports. The expert consensus is that suicide prevention in general, and veterans suicide prevention in particular, would .and depressed be most effectively supported through a comprehensive public health approach.Elderly man with chronic back.with access pain becomesto a gun Recommendations include:unable to workDeepen systems of care in settings that are frequented by military families in transition to civilian life, DISABILITY DEADLY MEANS especially community colleges and four-year collegesSource: Adapted from Conwell, Y. (2013). Suicide Prevention in Later Life. Focus 11(1), 39-47. Reprinted with permission from Increase reliance on tele-mental health to sustain contact with veterans across a variety of settings FOCUS, (copyright 2013), American Psychiatric Association. All Rights Reserved.Introduce trained peers into each of these systems of care A public health approach to preventing suicide among older adults includes strategies to promote protective Increase ow of resources to Veterans Service Organizations and working groups like the factors across the population along with identication of opportunities to intervene (such as primary care)Los Angeles Veterans Collaborativeand interventions to address and treat sources of risk (43, 44).Adopt VA protocols for follow up with veterans who struggle with chronic suicidal ideation and/orShift cultural norms around aging Time Out @ UCLA brings collegesuicide attempts Reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking students together with older adults for Strengthen providers ability to collaborate with veterans, their family members, and other providers a range of activities and is offered freeto assure continuity of care Reduce isolation and increase connection and purpose. of charge to participants. Educate, engage, and support family members who care for high-risk veterans; andFor example, through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Develop support groups with carefully designed curricula for (1) veterans experiencing chronic in-home visitors programs, and intergenerational programs. suicidality, (2) attempt survivors, and (3) family members of attempt survivors Improve screening and early identication of behavioral health Connect veterans to employment, training, and peer mentoring opportunities to expand sense of conditions and suicidal ideation personal purpose Train gatekeepers, such as Meals and Wheels volunteers or Deliver veteran-centric training on lethal means restriction senior center/residential living staff, that interact with older Use group recreation and recreation therapy as tools to strengthen social connection and adults to recognize warning signs for suicide family bonding Link and integrate primary care, aging services, and behavioral Give voice to veteran attempt survivors and family members who face their own distinct challengeshealth support to weave a community safety netDraft 3.3.2020 Not For Distribution Draft 3.3.2020 Not For Distribution'