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Bay Pines VA Suicide Program Highlights Importance of Diversity for Veteran Health Care

Bay Pines SP Team
Bay Pines VA Suicide and Prevention Team
By Robert Frazier, Public Affairs Officer

Providing the soonest and best care, along with supporting the whole health of all Veterans remain top priorities, the mental health and behavioral science service remains highly focused on, what they believe to be the most critical issue – the prevention of Veteran suicide.

Leading that effort is the Supervisor for Suicide Prevention Program, Ms. Maria Taylor.

“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,” said Taylor. “It’s really disheartening, and we have a responsibility to empower them to recover.”

As she reflected on how she and the Suicide Prevention team helps, the first generation American offered that success is grounded in her team’s diversity.

“There is an unbelievable richness of knowledge and that comes from the diversity of our team, whether that be age, gender, ethnicity, and or religious beliefs.  Several of our staff are Veterans, are spouses of Veterans, or have Veterans in their families,” continued Taylor. “No Veteran has the same experience, and 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.”

Over the past few years, Bay Pines VA has reported increased numbers of services offered. Last year, nearly 25 percent of enrolled Veterans participated in more than 250-thousand 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.

“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,” added Taylor. “We’re building bridges and making connections with Veterans who may be high risk, and it’s making a difference.”

The results, which Taylor said have been occurring over the past decade, remain grounded in a paradigm shift of the stigma associated with the words mental health.

“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,” added Taylor. “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.  Veterans can press 1 to speak with a clinician.  Other options for Veterans are to [TME(1] 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!   

 


 [TME(1]Added several hyperlinks.