Peer Based Suicide Prevention

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) suicide rates remain high, requiring new approaches. VHA patients tend to have high medical and behavioral health care needs that cause disruption in their lives and heighten their risk of suicide. This study will adapt and pilot test an intervention that expands the focus of care for VHA patients with high risk for suicide to building a life of self-respect, meaning, and connectedness in one\'s local community. The pilot intervention will involve receiving support and mentorship from a fellow Veteran living with the same challenges who has been trained in helping others manage their disabilities while achieving specific life goals (i.e., a \'Peer Specialist\'). Results from this study will demonstrate the preliminary effectiveness of supplementing the VHA\'s current clinical approaches to suicide prevention with support provided by a trained Peer Specialist that offers empathy, hope, and practical advice that stemming from \'lived experience\' of disability and recovery.