Sponsored
Q&A with Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen to discuss how together, we will prevent suicide for Service members and Veterans. Submit questions below!
611K
521
219
Join a live Q&A with Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD and Travis Bartholomew to discuss how together, we will prevent suicide for Service members and Veterans. Submit your questions below!
Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen-
Dr. Van Dahlen, a licensed clinical psychologist, was appointed to lead the PREVENTS Task Force in July 2019. She is the Founder of Give an Hour, a national nonprofit that provides free mental health care to those in need including service members, Veterans and their families. In 2012, she was named to TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Dr. Van Dahlen is an expert on the psychological impact of war and a thought leader in mobilizing constituencies to create large system change. She is widely recognized for her work in changing the culture associated with mental health. A licensed clinical psychologist who practiced in the Washington, D.C. area for over 20 years, she received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1991.
PREVENTS Background-
Executive Order 13861: Signed on March 5, 2019, the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) is a call to action to amplify and accelerate the progress in addressing the Veteran suicide epidemic in our Nation. While there have been other efforts to address suicide prevention, this is a cabinet-level, inter-agency effort charged with developing the first federally coordinated national public health strategy to address suicide.
The goal of PREVENTS is to prevent suicide — among not just Veterans but all Americans. By adopting a holistic public health approach, PREVENTS is acting on the knowledge that suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and that by working together, locally and nationally, we can prevent suicide.
PREVENTS is building on the critical successes of suicide prevention pioneers and agencies working with Service members and Veterans. The PREVENTS Task Force is partnering with stakeholders from multiple sectors, including nonprofits, state and local organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and government leaders, to implement best practices to improve health and prevent suicide.
PREVENTS recently launched REACH, the Nation’s largest public health campaign with the central message that suicide is preventable. The REACH campaign recognizes that to prevent suicide, we must reach beyond what we have done before– including the way we think about, talk about, and address emotional pain and suffering. The REACH campaign is for everyone because we all have risk and protective factors that we need to recognize and understand.
Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen-
Dr. Van Dahlen, a licensed clinical psychologist, was appointed to lead the PREVENTS Task Force in July 2019. She is the Founder of Give an Hour, a national nonprofit that provides free mental health care to those in need including service members, Veterans and their families. In 2012, she was named to TIME magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Dr. Van Dahlen is an expert on the psychological impact of war and a thought leader in mobilizing constituencies to create large system change. She is widely recognized for her work in changing the culture associated with mental health. A licensed clinical psychologist who practiced in the Washington, D.C. area for over 20 years, she received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1991.
PREVENTS Background-
Executive Order 13861: Signed on March 5, 2019, the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) is a call to action to amplify and accelerate the progress in addressing the Veteran suicide epidemic in our Nation. While there have been other efforts to address suicide prevention, this is a cabinet-level, inter-agency effort charged with developing the first federally coordinated national public health strategy to address suicide.
The goal of PREVENTS is to prevent suicide — among not just Veterans but all Americans. By adopting a holistic public health approach, PREVENTS is acting on the knowledge that suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and that by working together, locally and nationally, we can prevent suicide.
PREVENTS is building on the critical successes of suicide prevention pioneers and agencies working with Service members and Veterans. The PREVENTS Task Force is partnering with stakeholders from multiple sectors, including nonprofits, state and local organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and government leaders, to implement best practices to improve health and prevent suicide.
PREVENTS recently launched REACH, the Nation’s largest public health campaign with the central message that suicide is preventable. The REACH campaign recognizes that to prevent suicide, we must reach beyond what we have done before– including the way we think about, talk about, and address emotional pain and suffering. The REACH campaign is for everyone because we all have risk and protective factors that we need to recognize and understand.
Suicide
Mental Health
PTSD
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Responses: 70
How about forcing the VA to treat severe pain..Ive been in severe pain and sitting in a wheelchair for over a year with miniscule treatment for it..If I were treated for pain I could acttually walk a little!!...but yet most of the time Im sitting in my own piss because I cant move...Yet my doctor doesent want me to turn into a junkie. She doesent give a fuck that I hope every night I dont wanna wake up in the morning...she dont give a fuck that I want to lay down in front of an incoming train...close the garage door and start the car....take a dive off the side of a 100 foot high bridge...many nights im up all night screaming in pain. If I talk to the VA I wont be treated for pain..Ill be sent to some jackass that wants to know why I want to die...the very same jackass will tell me its all in my head. I got news for you...If your in pain for real your phsycobabble bullshit does not work...period!
Mary Carlson
Oh wow! I have heard this from others dealing with extreme pain and no relief. It is such a terrible situation. I'm so sorry. We are working on getting more people trained that will actually have some tools to help you with trauma, but the pain is a whole other subject. I know pain alone can kill someone. There are some videos that may help a little on HelpForTrauma.com Don't give up. Your voice and efforts will help many others.
SCPO Jeff Conz
LTC Brian W. Wright My idea is to get rid of the Union’s. VA’s should be run with a mentality of promoting the best people for the job.
LTC Brian W. Wright
Jeff, bare with me, I respect your input, service and expereince. As a patient, I've mostly experienced helpfull VA Staff, and as a fellow Veteran and VA employee I always stop whatever I'm doing to help a Veteran who either asks or looks like they need help. However, you are right, there are still some CYA types in the system. I work in the VA admin system and the VA is not a 'right to work' system. There is a Union there, for good reason, but it also can protect the CYA types who know how to work the bureaucracy and Veterans suffer as a result. I think we can agree you can find these people anywhere in society or organization. We have to root them out when we get a chance, so I recommend seeing a VA patient service representative and make complaints when necessary. The complaints are at a minimum discussed at high management levels, and when substantiated, acted on. Usually, everything depends on local leadership.
I remember a meeting where a VA senior Doctor said all the VA Hopitals and their jobs were going to go away due to 'Mission Act.' I called him out on his comments and gave the meeting and Hospital leadership a recent experience I had as a patient. While standing in line to make a follow-up appointment I observed a rude Veteran demanding an immediate dental appointment. He was politely addressed by the appointment front desk clerk and was told the VA Hospital could get him in about 30 days, but if he wished he could go in the Private Sector under 'Mission Act' if he didn't feel he was getting the service he expected, and that most Private Sector doctors receiving US Governemnt compensation for visits were taking about 90 days. He elected to remain at the VA for his dental appointment due to the professionalism of the MAS clerk and the reality of his situation. The point is when comparing a lot of the VA Services (especially dental) to the Private Sector, you will be surprised how good the VA Hospital can be. And since 'Mission Act' was introduced last year in the Summer, we've not seen the great exodus of Veterans to the Private Sector as that Doctor predicted. 'Mission Act' forced many uncaring VA Staff types to start caring a little more if they cared about their jobs. Veterans will walk if not taken care of, but more important, we Veterans have to hold people accountable for their actions/service. Sorry for the long response.
I remember a meeting where a VA senior Doctor said all the VA Hopitals and their jobs were going to go away due to 'Mission Act.' I called him out on his comments and gave the meeting and Hospital leadership a recent experience I had as a patient. While standing in line to make a follow-up appointment I observed a rude Veteran demanding an immediate dental appointment. He was politely addressed by the appointment front desk clerk and was told the VA Hospital could get him in about 30 days, but if he wished he could go in the Private Sector under 'Mission Act' if he didn't feel he was getting the service he expected, and that most Private Sector doctors receiving US Governemnt compensation for visits were taking about 90 days. He elected to remain at the VA for his dental appointment due to the professionalism of the MAS clerk and the reality of his situation. The point is when comparing a lot of the VA Services (especially dental) to the Private Sector, you will be surprised how good the VA Hospital can be. And since 'Mission Act' was introduced last year in the Summer, we've not seen the great exodus of Veterans to the Private Sector as that Doctor predicted. 'Mission Act' forced many uncaring VA Staff types to start caring a little more if they cared about their jobs. Veterans will walk if not taken care of, but more important, we Veterans have to hold people accountable for their actions/service. Sorry for the long response.
LTC Brian W. Wright
I think CYA types are those VA Clinical employees that find a way to input data into patient medical records that a patient was difficult or agressive and indicate they tried everything possible to de-escalate the situation when they may have been the cause of the escalation. (I have a personal example) These same VA Clinical employees will call a 'Code Green' for a difficult Veteran if they perceive the Veteran is being disrespectful and aggressive. I've seen this happen with Veterans who disagreed and were emotionally upset with the service they were receiving, thus its easy to call attention to the bad Veteran versus the bad service. CYA.
The construction industry has ranked top in suicides by CDC. With the high number of vets in that industry, many through programs such as Helmets to Hard Hats, why can’t the VA do a specific outreach to the industry leaders who are also trying to reduce the suicide rate?
I have been trying to get the VA to do this since I retired from the VAMHCS last summer. Both groups have the same common goal and the VA has the expertise to offer PTSD training and counseling programs through the industry associations and large contractors.
I have been trying to get the VA to do this since I retired from the VAMHCS last summer. Both groups have the same common goal and the VA has the expertise to offer PTSD training and counseling programs through the industry associations and large contractors.
Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD
Sgt Meddin, thank you for your comment. One of the recommendations in the PREVENTS Roadmap is to encourage employers to provide and integrate comprehensive mental health and wellness practices and policies into their culture and systems. As we developed the Roadmap and this recommendation, we also noticed the immense strides the construction industry is making to reduce – with the ultimate goal of eliminating – suicides within its workforce.
For implementation of the Roadmap, the Department of Health and Human Services is taking the lead on an inter-agency partnership to establish coalitions that focus on occupations that are commonly held by Veterans, including the construction industry, military contractors, and first responders. We have begun outreach to corporations to encourage them to take the PREVENTS Pledge to REACH to prevent suicide, and are encouraging them to enact wellness initiatives for their employees where possible. Additionally, we’ve partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations’ Hiring Our Heroes initiative to connect Veterans, Service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. We will continue outreach into industries that hire our Nation’s Veterans and appreciate the work you are doing in this area.
For more information, please visit wearewithinreach.net or VA.gov/PREVENTS.
For implementation of the Roadmap, the Department of Health and Human Services is taking the lead on an inter-agency partnership to establish coalitions that focus on occupations that are commonly held by Veterans, including the construction industry, military contractors, and first responders. We have begun outreach to corporations to encourage them to take the PREVENTS Pledge to REACH to prevent suicide, and are encouraging them to enact wellness initiatives for their employees where possible. Additionally, we’ve partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations’ Hiring Our Heroes initiative to connect Veterans, Service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. We will continue outreach into industries that hire our Nation’s Veterans and appreciate the work you are doing in this area.
For more information, please visit wearewithinreach.net or VA.gov/PREVENTS.
It is my belief that veterans and other individuals go to the extreme of committing suicide because those vehicles that are put in place are nonfunctional and are lip service as it relates to senior level management at local VA medical centers and service organizations.
Chiefs of Staff and Medical Center Director must follow through as opposed to just dismissing the veteran that have the concern. I have had contact with every VA Medical Center in this country, and I have been a patient in more than 20. It has been my experience that when a veteran has a issue of concern he or she has been dismissed. Even to the point of calling the VA Police and handcuffing the person with the issue of concern. I have personally witnessed the local level Administration Place undue National behavioral flags and Veterans Medical Records in efforts of controlling the veterans behavior by making efforts of destroying the veterans creditability.
Chiefs of Staff and Medical Center Director must follow through as opposed to just dismissing the veteran that have the concern. I have had contact with every VA Medical Center in this country, and I have been a patient in more than 20. It has been my experience that when a veteran has a issue of concern he or she has been dismissed. Even to the point of calling the VA Police and handcuffing the person with the issue of concern. I have personally witnessed the local level Administration Place undue National behavioral flags and Veterans Medical Records in efforts of controlling the veterans behavior by making efforts of destroying the veterans creditability.
LTC Brian W. Wright
SSgt Williams, were you dealing with VA Staff that were Veterans? Probably not, hence the mis-communication at times. You should never feel dismissed, period. How can we fully expect VA Staff/Clinicians to know what were dealing with when they have no real point of reference. Knowing that will give you a greater sense of patience, but you should always be treated with respect and it returned. I walked one Veteran (wheel-chair bound) around for two hours helping him with benefits issues and hearing the whole time how VA employees were all a$$h@l3s. At the end of helping him meet the right people, I told him I was a 32 year Army Veteran and VA employee. He quickly said I was not an a$$h@l3 and thanked me for my time. He served less than two years and expected the red carpet to roll out at each office. That is my experience with Veterans, the longer they served, the more they appreciated the VA Staff. Still you should always leave a VA facility thinking you were helped in one form or another.
MSgt Gilbert Jones
I have only been treated at two different VA Medical Centers in the last 39 years, but since I have been going to the Jessie Brown Medical Center in Chicago, IL, I have had nothing but great help from all the doctors, nurses, and employees. I guess it's how you approach them and don't have a negative attitude they will respond like wise. Maybe I have just been lucky but I wish everyone could receive as good treatment. I like it when the doctors and I have a two way conversation, and they are not looking at their watches.
LTC Brian W. Wright
I think this story is more common than what I'm reading with 'the VA is the problem.' I'm not sure the VA causes suicide, it might fail to help in some instances, but is causal? You always catch more flies with honey no matter where you go.
Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD
Thank you for your comment and concern. Your post will be shared with the appropriate officials.
How do you continue to navigate through life when you still suffer from brokenness & mental illness since service discharge? The Veteran Affairs claim process is a disgrace & dishonors the service of many Veterans.
I would like to volunteer with Give an Hour and was told I could do so as a Resident(unlicensed) on a limited basis. Would you contact me and assist me to do this? Im already registered on the website as a volunteer. [login to see]
Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD
Hello Maj Gullotta. Thank you for joining this conversation - and for your generous offer to provide free mental health care through Give an Hour - the organization that I founded and ran for 15 years before accepting the position as Executive Director for PREVENTS. Please reach out to Give an Hour’s new CEO, Dr. Randy Phelps at [login to see] I am sure he will be so grateful to hear from you!
How do I keep going trough the pain I my shoulder . cronic pain and the VA s lack of help for .close to a year and nothing
Dr. Van Dahlen, is there a plan to include the local, veteran-run organizations in the PREVENTS directive? There are small organizations throughout the country that serve at-risk veterans.
Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD
Hi SSG Iozzio, thank you for your question. State, local, and community organizations are vital to the work of PREVENTS. Increased social connection is a protective factor for suicide, and organizations like local VSOs and MSOs can provide integral support to our Veterans that live and work in the community.
One goal of PREVENTS is to increase social connection and change the culture in workplaces, organizations, and communities to benefit Veterans and Service members. Reducing suicide requires coordinated efforts and collaboration at the local level, specifically efforts that bring together VSOs, MSOs, faith organizations, nonprofits, and more.
PREVENTS is working to provide these organizations with the resources and tools they need to learn about the types of risk factors for suicide and how to reach out to those they may know are struggling. No single entity can provide the full array of resources to meet the evolving needs of Veterans and Service members living in local communities, which is why building community coalitions and partnerships is necessary to the work of PREVENTS.
The PREVENTS Office can advance and support community-level suicide prevention efforts by working to adapt existing coalition toolkits and resources to be culturally competent and inclusive of specific factors related to Service members and Veterans. Additionally, if PREVENTS can help amplify local events or provide additional information about how to educate yourself and your network about best practices to prevent suicide in your community, let us know. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business – and together we can work together to change the culture surrounding suicide.
One goal of PREVENTS is to increase social connection and change the culture in workplaces, organizations, and communities to benefit Veterans and Service members. Reducing suicide requires coordinated efforts and collaboration at the local level, specifically efforts that bring together VSOs, MSOs, faith organizations, nonprofits, and more.
PREVENTS is working to provide these organizations with the resources and tools they need to learn about the types of risk factors for suicide and how to reach out to those they may know are struggling. No single entity can provide the full array of resources to meet the evolving needs of Veterans and Service members living in local communities, which is why building community coalitions and partnerships is necessary to the work of PREVENTS.
The PREVENTS Office can advance and support community-level suicide prevention efforts by working to adapt existing coalition toolkits and resources to be culturally competent and inclusive of specific factors related to Service members and Veterans. Additionally, if PREVENTS can help amplify local events or provide additional information about how to educate yourself and your network about best practices to prevent suicide in your community, let us know. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business – and together we can work together to change the culture surrounding suicide.
I have known several folks who have committed suicide. (none of them military) When all hope is lost and you have no future it is very hard to stay positive. I have no friends, all my close relatives are 1600 miles away. My wife died a year ago. I am up to my armpits with debt. When my wife died I lost almost $800.00 a month in income. I am struggling to keep up my mortage. I want to stay in Florida but just can't get enough money to keep up on all my bills. I think about suicide a lot. but I realize it is only a temporary solution and I dont really want to die. You'd think there would be some help out there with someone in my situation but there isn't. I am in fair physical shape but my legs are gone and back is painful l. I think I am lucky to get around as well as I do. I am almost 79 years old. The VA helps me a lot with medical things I need but no money. I could go on for ever but I think I've said enough. I served during Nam but spent most of my time in Alaska and New Hampshire Good luck with your meeting. I'm going to try very hard to attend. Thanks for listening.
Barbara Van Dahlen, PhD
Sgt Holmes, thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. I am so sorry for the loss of your wife and the emotional pain you are struggling with. I am sure that the pandemic is exacerbating your situation. I am so glad that you have not given up hope – and that you dont want to die. It sounds like you want support and relief. I am glad that the VA is helping you with your medical needs – I hope you are letting them know about your emotional pain – they want to help with that as well and have many resources they can offer. And please don’t ever hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Press 1 because you are a Veteran. You don’t have to be in crisis – and they may have thoughts about additional resources for you.
Also, receiving your proper level of benefits is extremely important to maintaining your mental health and well-being. I’m sure you are aware, but the VA hosts a significant number of resources on its website to help you learn more about and navigate the process. Click here to view those resources. You can also reach the Veterans Benefit Administration support line by calling [login to see] .
We do hope that you’re able to attend the Q&A event. Thank you for sharing – your story may help others in need. Thank you again for reaching out.
Also, receiving your proper level of benefits is extremely important to maintaining your mental health and well-being. I’m sure you are aware, but the VA hosts a significant number of resources on its website to help you learn more about and navigate the process. Click here to view those resources. You can also reach the Veterans Benefit Administration support line by calling [login to see] .
We do hope that you’re able to attend the Q&A event. Thank you for sharing – your story may help others in need. Thank you again for reaching out.
How will the live Q&A session on Aug 18th be conducted? Via phone, webinar, or another means?
Ryan Callahan
Hi LTC Thorsten L., this Q&A will be conducted right here. This will be a written only discussion with no audio or visual component.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google