Veteran peer suicide prevention: A community‐based peer prevention model

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual model of community‐based veteran peer suicide prevention. Method We conducted a qualitative study in which semi‐structured interviews were followed by three focus groups. Participants (n = 17) were chosen from community‐based organizations who had peers working on veteran suicide prevention; the sample included veteran peers, non‐peers, program managers, and community stakeholders. Interview data were analyzed thematically and inductively to identify key components and subcomponents of veteran peer suicide prevention. A draft model was shared with each focus group to elicit feedback and refine key concepts. Results A conceptual model containing nine components and twenty‐six subcomponents was developed. Participants emphasized key organizational, relational, and practical elements needed to achieve positive outcomes. In addition, they described critical contextual and cultural factors that impacted veteran peers’ ability to prevent suicide and promote overall wellness. Conclusions Community‐based veteran peer efforts are a promising public health approach to preventing veteran suicide. Provided veteran peers are supported and fully allowed to contribute, these efforts can complement existing clinic‐based efforts. Future research on community‐based veteran peer suicide prevention should document a range of outcomes (e.g., clinical, wellness, financial) and allow for considerable flexibility in peer approaches.

Risk and Protective Factors for Self-Harm and Suicide Behaviours among Serving and Ex-Serving Personnel of the UK Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force: A Systematic Review

“…This aligns with other international military populations, including the US [76], as well as in the general population where social support has been recommended for use in suicide prevention strategies [77]. One way to bolster social support among military populations is the use of peer support as a preventative strategy [78, 79].…”

“…95,96 One way to bolster social support among military populations is the use of peer support as a preventative strategy. For instance, a guide jointly developed by the UK Ministry of Defence and Samaritans (a suicide prevention charity in the UK) promoted the use of peer support among the UK Armed Forces 97 , and peer support has also been implemented successfully for US ex-serving personnel using a community-based model 98 .…”

Peer specialist-led interventions in primary care at the Veterans Health Administration: An integrative review.

“…In addition to educational interventions, peers in PACT may be especially well-positioned to deliver interventions in suicide prevention. Peer-led suicide prevention interventions are currently being developed and tested in VHA in clinics outside of primary care (Beehler et al, 2021; Livingston et al, 2024; Schmutte et al, 2023); if these interventions are found to be efficacious, peers in PACT may also adopt these interventions in their work.…”

Informing and Sustaining Participation of Lived Experience in the Suicide Prevention Workforce

“…Furthermore, the majority of existing mental health LEW is in mental health and clinical service delivery contexts, where people experiencing suicidal distress may not frequently present or indeed meet eligibility criteria for care due to the severity of their crisis [ 16 ]. The move more recently to support and respond to people experiencing suicidality within community-based settings, which are nonclinical in nature and which are traditionally less resourced (in terms of funds and human resources), necessitates suicide-specific workforce support [ 17 ]. Different recruitment, skill development, and support mechanisms are required for supporting the rapid growth of nonclinical care and support options in the suicide prevention sector [ 14 ].…”