#United States #Stamford #Cohen Veterans Network #Suicide Prevention #Military Women

Addressing the Silent Crisis: CVN's New Toolkit for Women's Mental Health

The Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) has unveiled an essential training resource aimed at tackling the pressing issue of suicide among military-affiliated women. This comes in response to alarming statistics highlighting that women veterans are experiencing suicide rates far surpassing their civilian peers, making it imperative for mental health clinicians to adapt their approaches to treat these unique needs effectively.

Introduction to the Toolkit

The toolkit, titled "Lethal Means Counseling for Military-Affiliated Women: A Toolkit for Mental Health Clinicians," is designed to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement crisis prevention strategies. Made possible through the support of Face the Fight®, this initiative stands at the forefront of mental health advocacy, directly addressing the escalating needs of a demographic often overlooked in traditional clinical settings.

As of now, over 2 million women veterans reside in the United States, representing the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population. Despite this growth, these women face an alarming 92% greater risk of suicide compared to civilian women. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that veteran women are 144% more likely than their non-veteran peers to die by firearm suicide, emphasizing the critical need for targeted intervention.

Development and Implementation

Dr. Tracy Neal Walden, Chief Clinical Officer at CVN, underlined the urgency of this toolkit's development, stating, "Suicide is a critical issue among military-affiliated women, yet their distinct risks and experiences are often overlooked in clinical practice and training." Through evidence-based practices combined with real-world clinical insights, the toolkit aims to empower providers to deliver more tailored and effective care.

The Lethal Means Counseling Toolkit emerged from a comprehensive Gap Analysis conducted by the CVN Institute for Quality, which identified substantial shortcomings in existing suicide prevention approaches specific to military-affiliated women. By collating this research, CVN developed a toolkit that encompasses gender-informed and evidence-based strategies to enhance clinician training. Among its components are a training module on gender-sensitive practices, mock client video interactions for better understanding, and a series of guided questions to facilitate active learning and engagement.

Progress in Mental Health Training

Following the launch of this toolkit, CVN will continue building on its successful training series, "From Hesitation to Help: A Collaborative Approach to Lethal Means Safety Conversations in Clinical Practice," which has already engaged over 1,000 mental health professionals. This series has been instrumental in preparing clinicians to incorporate lethal means safety conversations into their practice, encouraging a deeper examination of the societal and cultural factors shaping these discussions.

Commitment to Care

Cohen Veterans Network, established in 2016 by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen, is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for post-9/11 veterans, active service members, and their families. Since its inception, CVN has facilitated over 790,000 clinical sessions, treating a diverse array of mental health issues including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. With women making up nearly 32% of its clientele, CVN emphasizes accessible and specialized care tailored to this unique population.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

As CVN expands its outreach and resources, it remains steadfast in its mission to support the mental wellbeing of military families. The introduction of this toolkit represents a significant step toward fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges military-affiliated women face. It signals a critical shift in recognizing and addressing their needs through specialized mental health strategies. In collaboration with partners like USAA, Reach Resilience, and the Humana Foundation, CVN is poised to make impactful strides in reducing veteran suicide and enhancing care support for women in the military.

For more information about CVN and the resources available through this new toolkit, visit cohenveteransnetwork.org.