Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense: Evidence, Policies and Procedures, and Perspectives of Loss Survivors

Synopsis

Machine Generated Contents Note: 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. Rajeev Ramchand [and 5 Others]. Rr-586-osd--page 4 Of Cover. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 99-112).