| Description |
1 online resource. |
| Contents |
ch. One Introduction -- Background -- Purpose -- Approach -- The Evidence Base -- DoD Policies and Procedures -- Analysis of Resource Guides -- Organization of This Report -- ch. 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 -- ch. 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 -- ch. 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 -- Ch. 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 -- ch. 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 -- ch. 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 -- Establish Greater Uniformity Across CAOs in How They Handle Suicide Deaths, Consistent with Standards -- Educate Leaders, CAOs, and Other Support Personnel About the Grieving Process, Including Complicated Grief, and Train Providers in Evidence-Based Treatments -- Reconsider Whether Eligibility for DoD and VA Benefits Should Be Affected by LoD Determinations, and Support Loss Survivors in Making Informed Decisions About Benefits -- Conclusion -- Appendixes -- A. Postvention Guides Reviewed -- B. Content Analysis of Resource Guides. |
| Note |
Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCO, viewed August 3, 2015). |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Summary |
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been struggling with increasing rates of suicide among military personnel for the past decade. As DoD continues to implement new programs and examine its policies in an effort to prevent military personnel from taking their own lives, it is important to assess its current responses to suicide and to identify opportunities to enhance these programs and policies. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence on how best to respond to suicides, how to ensure that surveillance activities are managed appropriately and that loss survivors are given sufficient support to grieve, how additional suicides can be prevented, and how to honor and respect the decedent and his or her loved ones. At the same time, there are many resource guides intended to provide recommendations for organizations (mostly schools) in responding to suicides. A review of the existing scientific evidence on postvention (responses to prevent additional suicides in the aftermath of a suicide) and guidance for other types of organizations provides potential insights for DoD, however. Complemented by the perspectives of those most intimately touched by military suicide - the family and friends of those who have died - these sources may help DoD formulate its guidance in a practical and sensitive way. |
| Subject |
United States. Department of Defense -- Personnel management -- Research.
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Psychology, Military.
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Suicide -- Prevention -- Research.
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Suicide -- Prevention -- Government policy -- United States.
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Soldiers -- Suicidal behavior -- United States.
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United States -- Armed Forces -- Mental health services.
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Military research -- United States.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Policy / Social Security
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POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Policy / Social Services & Welfare
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| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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| Added Author |
Rand Corporation.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: Ramchand, Rajeev. Suicide postvention in the Department of Defense Santa Monica, CA : RAND, [2015] 9780833086426 (DLC) 2015013119 |
| ISBN |
9780833086433 electronic bk. |
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083308643X electronic bk. |
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9780833086440 electronic bk. |
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0833086448 electronic bk. |
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9780833086457 electronic bk. |
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0833086456 electronic bk. |
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