“Members of Congress and officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) discussed the value of data-driven suicide prevention strategies at a Jan. 29 House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing led by committee Chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif.”
“Renee Oshinski, deputy under secretary for health for operations and management at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), explained how the statistics around veteran suicide are pushing the agency to adjust its approach. For example, research on the importance of community care for veterans is influencing the agency’s state and local strategy…”
“In Oshinski’s witness statement, she shared data suggesting that VHA care programs are reducing veteran suicide rates. Between 2016 and 2017, the suicide rate among veterans who did not use VHA care increased by 11.8 percent, but the suicide rate among veterans who were recently in VHA care only increased by 1.3 percent. Oshinski said that these indicators offer ‘anchors of hope upon which we can continue to build.’”
“Rep. Takano praised VHA as a source of suicide prevention research more generally, but emphasized the importance of scaling strategies across the agency…”
“… Oshinski shared how the agency is exploring creative ways to expand its popular telehealth program despite rural bandwidth connectivity issues. The agency wants to work with Walmart, because of its strong presence in rural areas, to boosts veterans’ connection to health services…” Read the full article here.
Source: VA Taking Data-Driven Approach to Suicide Prevention – January 29, 2020. MeriTalk.
