Suicide program highlights importance of diversity

Bay Pines VA’s mental health and behavioral science service remains highly focused on the prevention of Veteran suicide. Leading that effort is the supervisor for the Suicide Prevention Program, Maria Taylor, who reflected on how the Suicide Prevention team’s success is grounded in her team’s diversity.

“We are well aware that when Veterans come home, many of them are unable to be part of the communities they were willing to defend due to those invisible wounds. It’s really disheartening and we have a responsibility to empower them to recover,” she shared. “There is an unbelievable richness of knowledge, and that comes from the diversity of our team—whether that be age, gender, ethnicity or religious beliefs. Several of our staff are Veterans, are spouses of Veterans or have Veterans in their families. Through the diversity and experiences of our employees, we have the benefit of collaborating to gain perspectives from one another that allow us to be more effective in providing support to Veterans and their support systems.”

Bay Pines VA has reported increased numbers of services offered. Last year, nearly 25 percent of enrolled Veterans participated in more than 250,000 virtual and in-person appointments.

The Suicide Prevention team has also taken proactive steps to meet Veterans where they live in the community. These engagements have proven beneficial for Veterans, their support systems and community providers as they work to raise awareness that support is available to help with recovery.

10 to 18 events each month

“We do anywhere from 10-to-18 events each month as a way to make connections with members of the community who may be unaware of what we can do to support Veterans and their families. We’re building bridges and making connections with Veterans who may be high risk and it’s making a difference,” Taylor said. “There was a time for many Veterans where receiving help in the military was a barrier to career progression and so many Veterans, once they left the service, carried that belief with them. We’re working to reshape that narrative through promotion of services and talking about the welcoming and safe environment we provide. Veterans see that.”

Taylor and her team reiterate the particulars of the Crisis Line to all they meet. To reach the Crisis Line—which is available cost free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—dial 9-8-8 and press 1 to speak with a clinician. Other options for Veterans are to visit veteranscrisisline.net for an online chat or by texting 838255. 

The Veteran’s Crisis Line specializes in the care of Veterans and offers supportive counseling, safety planning, referrals to local VA facility suicide prevention teams, resources and other interventions as determined by individual level of need. Remember, you are not alone, the Veterans Crisis Line is there for you, regardless of whether you are enrolled in VA benefits or health care. Don’t Wait, Reach Out!