The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to preventing suicide among Service members and their families. Suicide prevention is a DoD priority throughout the year, but during September — Suicide Prevention Month — the Department brings added attention to this complex issue. This year, the DoD’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, Connectedness, highlights the important role that connections to family, friends, the community, and resources can play in preventing suicide. As part of the conversation this month, the Military Health System will also look at ways to be proactive and mindful in tackling pain challenges, including the need for opioid safety.
To enable others to share information within the DoD community, our Monthly Communications Toolkit provides the MHS enterprise with customizable, ready-to-use material to promote these topics and other issues important to the health and wellness of the DoD community.
Suicide Prevention Month
In support of the DoD’s theme of “Connectedness,” MHS will highlight how strength and resilience are possible through support networks and the use of DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs resources.
Public awareness campaigns like the Real Warriors Campaign (https://www.realwarriors.net/) and Make the Connection (https://maketheconnection.net/) encourage service members to ask for help and recognize seeking help is a sign of strength. Watch this video from the Co-Founder of Team Rubicon explaining why it is important for them to help veterans explore their options for mental health care (https://teamrubiconusa.org/)
Pain Awareness Month
September is also Pain Awareness Month, during which the MHS will highlight the need to work with a healthcare provider to help identify what’s most effective in treating your pain and providing relief. Patients and providers can learn about pain treatments, opioid safety, and other useful resources here: https://go.usa.gov/xf5ks
No one can avoid experiencing pain at some point in their life. It's a universal experience. Depending upon how severe the pain is, how long the pain lasts, and how the pain is managed, it can have a significant impact on an individual, their family, and friends. Watch this video to learn more about how to work with a doctor to safely and effectively manage pain.
You also may be interested in...
Video
9/20/2018
You’ve reached out for help, you’ve found the right provider, now Kristin Gwin from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center shares what to expect at your first appointment.
Recommended Content:
Mental Health Care | September Toolkit
Video
9/12/2018
Kristin Gwin, a Social Worker at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center understands that getting help can be an intimidating process. She offers advice on how to get started by letting a professional know you want help.
Recommended Content:
Mental Health Care | Suicide Prevention | September Toolkit
Video
9/4/2018
September is Suicide Prevention Month. No one fights the battle alone. Make it your mission to #BeThere for each other.
Recommended Content:
Suicide Prevention | September Toolkit
Video
9/4/2018
September is Suicide Prevention Month. No one fights the battle alone. Make it your mission to #BeThere for each other.
Recommended Content:
Suicide Prevention | September Toolkit
Policy
This Defense Health Agency-Procedural Instruction (DHA-PI), based on the authority of References (a) and (b), and in accordance with the guidance of References (c) through (k):
a. Establishes the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) procedures for the collection and analysis of BH outcome data.
b. Addresses how DoD will standardize BH outcome data collection to: assess variations in mental health and substance use care among in-garrison medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and clinics; assess the relationship of treatment protocols and practices to BH outcomes; and identify barriers to provider implementation of evidence-based clinical guidance approved by DoD.
c. Designates the Army as the DoD lead Service for maintenance and sustainment of the Behavioral Health Data Portal (BHDP) in specialty care mental health and substance use clinics, referred to collectively as BH clinics, until BHDP functionality can be integrated with GENESIS or another electronic health record (EHR) system managed by DHA.
d. Designates DHA Information Operations (J-6) as lead on transitioning BHDP functional requirements related to outcomes monitoring to future EHR data collection platforms and processes.
Video
5/24/2018
Watch this video to learn more about the mental health care benefits TRICARE provides
Recommended Content:
Mental Health Care
Publication
11/7/2017
Public service announcement you can print locally to help spread the word about the expanded coverage for mental health and substance use disorders.
Recommended Content:
TRICARE Health Program | Mental Health Care
Report
9/19/2017
The Interagency Task Force on Military and Veterans Mental Health (ITF) coordinates federal activities to improve access to mental health and substance use services and support for Veterans, Service members, and their families. This report summarizes progress on the ITF recommendations being addressed by the Departments since the 2016 Annual Report (through Fall 2017); it is intended as a progress update on the current recommendations rather than a comprehensive review of all inter- and intra-agency accomplishments in the mental health arena.
Recommended Content:
DoD/VA Sharing Initiatives | Mental Health Care
Showing results 46 - 60
Page 4 of 9