New Report Unveils Gaps in Suicide Prevention for Military Women by Cohen Veterans Network

Addressing Critical Challenges in Suicide Prevention for Military Affiliated Women

The Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), known for providing essential mental health services to post-9/11 veterans, has released an important new report highlighting the urgent need for improved suicide prevention strategies tailored specifically for women military members and veterans. With nearly 2.5 million women having served or currently serving in the U.S. military, this report sheds light on the increasing rates of suicide among this population and the limitations of current interventions, which have often failed to consider the unique experiences and risks they face.

Key Findings on Existing Gaps

The comprehensive analysis conducted by CVN's Institute for Quality (CVN-IQ), supported by the Face the Fight initiative, outlines significant areas that require attention. The report identifies a critical gap in how suicide prevention strategies are developed, noting a one-size-fits-all approach that does not effectively address women's unique challenges. Among the main points highlighted are:

1. Misconceptions on Risk Factors

The current landscape of suicide risk assessments often overlooks common misconceptions. There is a pressing need for enhanced training of clinicians to recognize these gender-specific factors, allowing for better evaluation of risks linked to firearm access, rather than mere ownership.

2. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

The report underscores the significant correlation between IPV, MST, and increased suicide risk among women. Existing guidelines for lethal means safety counseling are insufficient in addressing these complexities, thereby highlighting a critical area for improved intervention strategies.

3. Cultural Gaps in Firearm Familiarization

Women veterans often have different relationships with firearms than what might be presumed by healthcare providers. This disconnect hampers effective lethal means safety counseling, which is essential for addressing the firearm-related risks that may be prevalent in their lives.

4. Barriers to Care

Accessing mental health care can be fraught with obstacles for many women, particularly in navigating systemic issues or fears related to firearm restrictions, which can further limit their engagement with suicide prevention efforts. Developing public health strategies that reach women where they are is crucial.

Moving Towards Solutions

Dr. David Linkh, the director of CVN-IQ, emphasized the necessity of adopting a tailored, thoughtful approach to suicide prevention for women veterans. The report outlines actionable recommendations for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. By identifying specific risks faced by military-affiliated women related to firearms, IPV, and MST, the report seeks to inform future practices and guidelines.

Building upon these insights, CVN plans to introduce an evidence-based training module focused on suicide prevention and lethal means safety specifically for clinicians working with military and veteran women. This module will be made available at no cost to ensure broad accessibility.

Additionally, CVN is set to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at educating the military community regarding the significance of safe storage practices for lethal means and overall suicide prevention.

Justin Schmitt, AVP of Corporate Responsibility at USAA, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with CVN, emphasizing a collective commitment to addressing these critical gaps in care for women veterans. Their combined efforts aim to prioritize the safety and mental health of this often-overlooked demographic.

Since its inception in 2016, CVN has catered to over 83,000 clients, with 35% being women veterans—an increasingly recognized segment that reflects the urgent need for gender-responsive mental health services.

For more information on the initiatives undertaken by Cohen Veterans Network and the Face the Fight coalition, please visit Cohen Veterans Network and Face the Fight.

This report serves as a critical reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health and the need for continued advocacy and strategic interventions tailored to the experiences of military-affiliated women.