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Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support ( PMCS) Program
Share PrintIt is the PMCS Program's mission to create a military-familiar environment with out the associated stigmas regarding mental health assistance. We achieve this mission through a platoon-like structure that offers community, belonging, and the means for each veteran to achieve their version of wellness.
Origin:
December 2022, Atlantic County VA Clinic, Cape May County VA Clinic, Cumberland VA Clinic
Adoptions:
1 successful
Awards and Recognition:
iNET Seed Investee
Recent Updates
Overview
Problem
Suicide prevention is a high priority for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Recent data show an increase in suicide rates, especially among Veterans that had not used VHA health services nor had received any VHA benefits. Meanwhile data collected for the past two decades reveals a decline in suicide rates among Veterans who were recent VHA users
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Suicide prevention is a high priority for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Recent data show an increase in suicide rates, especially among Veterans that had not used VHA health services nor had received any VHA benefits. Meanwhile data collected for the past two decades reveals a decline in suicide rates among Veterans who were recent VHA users with mental health or substance use disorders.
Goals included, measurable reductions in suicidality, anxiety, depression, and PTSD related symptoms.
Measurable increase in veteran’s perceived social supports; linkage to appropriate social supports pursuant to individualized SMART goals. See more
Goals included, measurable reductions in suicidality, anxiety, depression, and PTSD related symptoms.
Measurable increase in veteran’s perceived social supports; linkage to appropriate social supports pursuant to individualized SMART goals. See more
Links
- This link is the the pdf file relating to the 2023 VA Suicide Prevention Report Dept. of Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention Annual Report
Solution
Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support (PMCS) Program was developed and implemented to explore novel ways to engage and reintegrate High Risk Flag Veterans and Veterans who have been identified as higher risk for suicide. PMCS was derived from the Army acronym of PMCS meaning Preventative Maintenance, Checks, and Services. Which are weekly checks tha
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Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support (PMCS) Program was developed and implemented to explore novel ways to engage and reintegrate High Risk Flag Veterans and Veterans who have been identified as higher risk for suicide. PMCS was derived from the Army acronym of PMCS meaning Preventative Maintenance, Checks, and Services. Which are weekly checks that military personnel complete on their equipment in order to maintain combat readiness. For our program however, we are taking the PMCS acronym and refocusing it on the veteran with Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support (PMCS).Thus beginning the journey of empowerment thru support by VA staff, wellness tools, and true connection through camaraderie with other veterans. Often times veterans are referred to the PMCS Program due to expressing some form of suicidal ideation.
Upon referral to the program they are assessed and complete an intake with our program coordinator to get a baseline assessment of emotions and needs. Throughout our program the PMCS team continues to assess Veteran's for risk and mitigate as needed. Those assessments have led to our veterans having a 35% decrease in baseline depression scores(PHQ9) as well as a 23% decrease in baseline anxiety scores(GAD7). For those veterans who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder we have a seen a 24% decrease in their associated symptoms(PCL5). Additionally, many of our veterans who typical enter the PMCS Program with positive suicidality screenings, those same veterans discharge with negative screenings and report an increase in their social supports.
We strive to engage our veterans multiple times per week and reduce their self-isolation through providing a wide variety of “Camaraderie Events”, hybrid (in-person/VA Video Connect) support groups, and one-on-one engagement. Some examples of these activities are; hiking trails, golf outings, rounds of disc golf, indoor cornhole nights, video game night, and advanced safety planning therapy group. PMCS Program one-on-one engagements with our peer specialists are times where our veterans can discuss their current wellness goals, ask for help with perceived deficiencies, and discuss any barriers to care that they are experiencing. This is also a time where our peer specialist’s lived experience can help reveal any unseen pathways to wellness.
Using those aspects we have structured our program to operate similar to a platoon. Regardless of each veterans experience in the military, they will receive all the benefits that a platoon can provide without the military stigma related to asking for help and mental health services. Graduation from the PMCS Program occurs when our veterans achieve their wellness goals and they feel they are ready. Leaving the PMCS Program by no means is a final goodbye. All PMCS Alumni are encouraged to continue their attendance at community camaraderie events and to share their story. The more common honest conversation around suicide becomes, the more veterans can be saved. See more
Upon referral to the program they are assessed and complete an intake with our program coordinator to get a baseline assessment of emotions and needs. Throughout our program the PMCS team continues to assess Veteran's for risk and mitigate as needed. Those assessments have led to our veterans having a 35% decrease in baseline depression scores(PHQ9) as well as a 23% decrease in baseline anxiety scores(GAD7). For those veterans who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder we have a seen a 24% decrease in their associated symptoms(PCL5). Additionally, many of our veterans who typical enter the PMCS Program with positive suicidality screenings, those same veterans discharge with negative screenings and report an increase in their social supports.
We strive to engage our veterans multiple times per week and reduce their self-isolation through providing a wide variety of “Camaraderie Events”, hybrid (in-person/VA Video Connect) support groups, and one-on-one engagement. Some examples of these activities are; hiking trails, golf outings, rounds of disc golf, indoor cornhole nights, video game night, and advanced safety planning therapy group. PMCS Program one-on-one engagements with our peer specialists are times where our veterans can discuss their current wellness goals, ask for help with perceived deficiencies, and discuss any barriers to care that they are experiencing. This is also a time where our peer specialist’s lived experience can help reveal any unseen pathways to wellness.
Using those aspects we have structured our program to operate similar to a platoon. Regardless of each veterans experience in the military, they will receive all the benefits that a platoon can provide without the military stigma related to asking for help and mental health services. Graduation from the PMCS Program occurs when our veterans achieve their wellness goals and they feel they are ready. Leaving the PMCS Program by no means is a final goodbye. All PMCS Alumni are encouraged to continue their attendance at community camaraderie events and to share their story. The more common honest conversation around suicide becomes, the more veterans can be saved. See more
- This handbook describes what our program does to assist veterans as well as the means by which we accomplish it. PMCS Program Handbook
- This is the trifold broadly explains the PMCS Program and its offerings. PMCS Outreach Trifold
Files
Results
-Implemented a 4-person team comprised of 1-LCSW , 1-Supervisory Peer Specialist (GS11) or Peer Lead (GS10), 2- Peer Specialists (GS6 – GS9)
-Provide a military like culture without military related mental health stigmas
-Managing precursors to suicidality
-Provide varying wellness tools and community resources to assist with housing, employment, educatio ... -Implemented a 4-person team comprised of 1-LCSW , 1-Supervisory Peer Specialist (GS11) or Peer Lead (GS10), 2- Peer Specialists (GS6 – GS9)
-Provide a military like culture without military related mental health stigmas
-Managing precursors to suicidality
-Provide varying wellness tools and community resources to assist with housing, employment, education, economics, and their associated emotional stressors.
-Project Life Force advanced Safety Planning in partnership with Dr. Marianne Goodman from VISN 2 MIRECC
-Used specific mental health evaluations to determine program effectiveness ( GAD7, PHQ9, CSSRS, ISEL-12,PCL5, B-IPF)
-As of 9/4/2024, our results have been very promising. There was a 75.7% reduction in suicidality risks as measured by the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Patients have also shown improvement in several other measures, including reductions in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (Depression: -34.8%), General Anxiety Disorder – 7: (-23.1), PTSD Checklist: (-21.5); and increases in Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (+26.8%), and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation (+33.7%). PCMS model offers potential for suicide mitigation.
-As of 9/20/2024: 100 program referrals, 28 current participants, 17 program graduates, 21 administrative discharges, 30 did not meet criteria See more
-Provide a military like culture without military related mental health stigmas
-Managing precursors to suicidality
-Provide varying wellness tools and community resources to assist with housing, employment, educatio ... -Implemented a 4-person team comprised of 1-LCSW , 1-Supervisory Peer Specialist (GS11) or Peer Lead (GS10), 2- Peer Specialists (GS6 – GS9)
-Provide a military like culture without military related mental health stigmas
-Managing precursors to suicidality
-Provide varying wellness tools and community resources to assist with housing, employment, education, economics, and their associated emotional stressors.
-Project Life Force advanced Safety Planning in partnership with Dr. Marianne Goodman from VISN 2 MIRECC
-Used specific mental health evaluations to determine program effectiveness ( GAD7, PHQ9, CSSRS, ISEL-12,PCL5, B-IPF)
-As of 9/4/2024, our results have been very promising. There was a 75.7% reduction in suicidality risks as measured by the Columbia Suicidality Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Patients have also shown improvement in several other measures, including reductions in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (Depression: -34.8%), General Anxiety Disorder – 7: (-23.1), PTSD Checklist: (-21.5); and increases in Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (+26.8%), and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation (+33.7%). PCMS model offers potential for suicide mitigation.
-As of 9/20/2024: 100 program referrals, 28 current participants, 17 program graduates, 21 administrative discharges, 30 did not meet criteria See more
Metrics
- GAD7 reduction of 23.1% , PHQ9 reduction of 34.8% , PCL5 reduction of 21.5%, BIPF increase of 26.8%, ISEL12 increase of 33.7%.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Implementation
Timeline
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Attention:
The following cant be accomplished while staff are still being hired, we highly recommend choosing your program leadership from inside your VA medical center. Months 5 to 12 can be accomplished while you are taking veteran referrals and offering peer services. -
Month 0 to Month 4
Primary program development and community adaptation needs based on location of implementing facility. During this time the hiring process or transfer process for employees should occur. Program leadership should also begin VA internal behavioral health staff briefings, EHR internal referral process development, location specific outreach material design, as well as meeting with original PMCS Program designers. -
Month 5 to Month 9
Community engagement focus: during this time relationships with local non-VA medical centers and law enforcement / first responders should be created and/or nourished. Community activities and partnerships (i.e. golf courses, VFWs, DAVs, WWP) should also begin during this time. -
Month 9 to Month 12
By this time you should have your team hired and have a general plan of what each team members work week will look like. During this phase you want to work on your weekly camaraderie outings as well. Hikes, disc golf, support groups, etc..
Departments
- Social work
- Voluntary Services
- Marketing
- Adaptive sports
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
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PEOPLE |
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PROCESSES |
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Support Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
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PROCESSES |
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TOOLS |
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About
Origin story
Program was first initiated in December of 2021 by the former Director of Wilmington VA Medical Center, Vince Kane. The authors were asked to assist in the development of the program originally named the “Veteran Peer Suicide Prevention Program” or VPSPP, which had its kick- off on December 14th, 2022 in Somers Point, NJ. Following the kick-off event, our f
...
Program was first initiated in December of 2021 by the former Director of Wilmington VA Medical Center, Vince Kane. The authors were asked to assist in the development of the program originally named the “Veteran Peer Suicide Prevention Program” or VPSPP, which had its kick- off on December 14th, 2022 in Somers Point, NJ. Following the kick-off event, our first employee was hired in February of 2023, and we began receiving referrals from VA and community partners shortly thereafter. Initially, referrals were steady; and by July 2023 the VPSPP had 24 active participants. Due to feed back from our Veteran's it was decided to change the name of the "Veteran Peer Suicide Prevention Program" to the " Peer Mentoring, Camaraderie, and Support Program" or "PMCS Program" for short.
Original team
Matthew Jacobs LCSW
Program Coordinator
Patrick Carney
Supervisory Peer Specialist
Ian Brady
Peer Specialist
Ryan Pearson
Peer Specialist
Comment
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