Suicide postvention in the Department of Defense : : evidence, policies and procedures, and perspectives of loss survivors / / Rajeev Ramchand [and five others].

• Author: National Defense Research Institute (U.S.)
• VerfasserIn: Ramchand, Rajeev,
• TeilnehmendeR: Ramchand, Rajeev,; National Defense Research Institute (U.S.); Rand Corporation.
• Place / Publishing House: [Santa Monica, California] : : RAND,, 2015.; ©2015
• Year of Publication: 2015
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (133 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

A review of the scientific evidence on suicide postvention (organizational responses to prevent additional suicides and help loss survivors cope), guidance for other types of organizations, and the perspectives of the family and friends of service members who have died by suicide provide insights that may help the U.S. Department of Defense formulate its own policies and programs in a practical and efficient way.

Table of Contents

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Figure and Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Chapter One; Introduction; Background; Purpose; Approach; The Evidence Base; DoD Policies and Procedures; Analysis of Resource Guides; Organization of This Report; Chapter Two; Surveillance; The Evidence Base; Cause-of-Death Determination; Uniform Definitions and Data Elements; Psychological Autopsies; DoD Policies and Procedures; Criminal Investigations; Autopsies; Line-of-Duty Investigations and Determinations; Surveillance, Reporting, and Information; Resource Guidelines

Sensitivity During Cause-of-Death Investigations Pre-Planning; Conclusion; Chapter Three; Suicide Prevention After a Suicide; The Evidence Base; Suicide Risk Among Loss Survivors; Empirical Studies Examining Post-Suicide Prevention Activities; Insight from the General Suicide Prevention Research; Media Coverage of Suicide; DoD Policies and Procedures; Revising Prevention Programs; Stand-Downs; Evaluations of Existing Programs; Resource Guidelines; Pre-Planning; Identifying High-Risk Individuals; Communication; Using, Reviewing, and Rejuvenating Suicide Prevention Training; Conclusion

Chapter Four Helping Loss Survivors Grieve; The Evidence Base; Preventing and Treating Complicated Grief; Grief-Focused Support for Suicide Loss Survivors (Not Specific to Complicated Grief); DoD Policies and Procedures; Casualty Assistance Officers; Military-Sponsored Programs for Military Families and Next of Kin; Nonmilitary Programs for Military Families and Next of Kin; Resource Guidelines; Guidelines for Counselors and Other Support Personnel; Communication; Identifying High-Risk Individuals; Pre-Planning; Conclusion; Chapter Five; Honor and Respect; The Evidence Base

Respect and Honor for the Fallen Respect and Honor for Loss Survivors; DoD Policies and Procedures; Memorials and Funerals; Posthumous Awards and Honors; Presidential Memorial Certificates and Letters of Condolence; Legal and Policy Requirements Relating to the Death of a Service Member; The Process of Notifying Next of Kin; Loss Survivor Benefits; Benefits Affected by the Line-of-Duty Investigation Determination; Benefits Not Affected by the Line-of-Duty Investigation Determination; Resource Guidelines; Respect for the Fallen; Respect and Honor for Loss Survivors; Conclusion; Chapter Six

Loss Survivors' Perspectives Methods; Setting; Procedures; Qualitative Data Analyses; Sample; Results; Varied Experiences with Casualty Assistance Officers; Overwhelming Administrative Documents and Processes; The "Fog" After the Loss; Differing Treatment of Suicide Deaths and Other Deaths; Differing Treatment of Family Members and Spouses; Conclusion; Chapter Seven; Recommendations; Strengthen the Existing Suicide Surveillance System; Establish an Organizational Response to Suicide; Work with the Media to Encourage Factual Reporting and Minimize Sensationalism of Suicides

Identify Individuals at High Risk