Suicide Alert Card (SAC)
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The Suicide Alert Card is a critical tool empowering front line staff to signal for help when in conversation with a Veteran expressing thoughts of suicide. The card allows for continuous engagement with the Veteran until help arrives.
The readily available Suicide Alert Card reduces the response time of the Mental Health Team and saves Veteran lives.
Suicide Alert Card provides a concrete plan of action to call for help and professionally diffuse the situation.
Origin:
April 2016, Parma VA Clinic
Adoptions:
5 successful, 9 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner
Partners:
Diffusion of Excellence, VHA Innovators Network
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
As a VA employee, receiving a call from a suicidal Veteran can be immobilizing, as most do not expect to be put in such a stressful situation. Employees must engage the Veteran in conversation without alar ... Crisis brings challenging moments for both VA staff and Veterans. Constant communication and Mental Health response time are often difficult to ensure.
As a VA employee, receiving a call from a suicidal Veteran can be immobilizing, as most do not expect to be put in such a stressful situation. Employees must engage the Veteran in conversation without alarming them, while simultaneously calling for help. See more
The solution
When an employee finds themselves on a call with a Veteran threatening suicide, there are three simple steps to diffuse the stressful situation and supp ... The Suicide Alert Card empowers frontline staff to signal for Mental Health support when in conversation with a Veteran in crisis. It allows for continuous engagement with the Veteran until help arrives.
When an employee finds themselves on a call with a Veteran threatening suicide, there are three simple steps to diffuse the stressful situation and support the Veteran in crisis:
1. The employee on the phone with a Veteran expressing suicidal ideations waves the Suicide Alert Card for assistance
2. The closest co-worker takes the card and uses the phone numbers listed to call for help from Mental Health
3. The original employee remains on the call and can focus on keeping the Veteran engaged until Mental Health arrives to take over the call See more
The results
at Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System and Tuscaloosa VAMC combined. Additionally, there are many other operational and outcome-focused benefits of implementing Suicide Alert Card:
* Ensures VA staff are prepared to identify, help, and respond to Veter ... Since the inception of Suicide Alert Card, the Practice has saved at least 20 Veteran lives
at Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System and Tuscaloosa VAMC combined. Additionally, there are many other operational and outcome-focused benefits of implementing Suicide Alert Card:
* Ensures VA staff are prepared to identify, help, and respond to Veterans in crisis
* Reduces Mental Health response time to crisis situations
* Improves Veteran outcomes post-crisis event
* Provides an easy-to-use visual tool for employees in stressful situations
* Allows for the focus to be completely on the Veteran in crisis
* Enhances current suicide prevention protocols See more
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
Above:
Veterans in crisis, drowning in an ocean of emotions from PTSD, loss of hope, despair, feelings of being broken, lack of love contemplating suicide as their only way out. Veterans reaching out to the VA for help is their last grasp on life. During a crisis, every second counts…implementing the Suicide Alert Card will reduce the response time to help the Veteran. We must be prepared; The Veteran’s fate is lying in our hands.
Above:
The Veteran in crisis reaches out for help. Lifesaving tools need to be in place during critical moments. The Suicide Alert Card provides accurate information, quick access to help, allows undivided attention to focus and engage the Veteran during this time of crisis. (Front)
Above:
(Back)
Above:
A Veteran reaching out expressing thoughts of suicide; they are distraught, angry, sad, humble; a frail bubble of emotions ready to burst. Getting help immediately is crucial, it’s a critical time. Every second counts to focus and engage the Veteran long enough for help to arrive.
Videos
Above:
Suicide Alert Card VHA 2019 Shark Tank Competition 1:26:06-1:32:34
Implementation
Timeline
-
Months 1-2
Step 1: Identify Practice Champion and Key IndividualsStep 2: Set Project ScopeStep 3: Identify and Engage StakeholdersStep 4: Secure ResourcesStep 5: Determine Suicide Alert Card Steps -
Months 3-4
Step 6: Design the Suicide Alert CardStep 7: Create Training Materials and SurveysStep 8: Develop a Data-Collection PlanStep 9: Host Pilot Location TrainingsStep 10: Go-Live! -
Mission underway
Tip: Remember, this is simply an example timeline structure. Each of these steps are integral to implementation, but you may start on these milestones as early as you see fit. Make sure to develop your own realistic timeline for implementation at your facility.
Departments
- Social work
- Administration
- Nursing services
- Suicide prevention
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
TOOLS |
|
Files
- SAC Toolkit for implementation to another facility including training slides, pre/post training evaluations Suicide Alert Tool Kit
- Standard Order of Procedure Suicide Alert Card (Draft) SOP Suicide Alert Card
Links
- Suicide Alert Card can be viewed at the Diffusion Marketplace Suicide Alert Card Webpage
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Lack of practice documentation (e.g., SOPs, policy) |
Policy review process Department level SOP reviews |
| Lack of staff training (and consequently lack of knowledge) | Percent of staff who have been trained -> retrain & effectiveness review of training |
| Materials Out-dating (e.g., card updates) | Bi-annual program material review |
| Practice adherence (e.g., card posting, use) | Program adherence meeting and review |
| Differences in phone technology across sites |
Report back on any modifications or technology changes that were made for that department IT report Department report |
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHACLESUICIDEALERTCARD@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
Original team
Jeanette Salvaggio, CPhT
Inventor
Joseph Severinski RPh Supervisor
Pharmacy Supervisor
Jeanette Fagan, RN MH
Mental Health Nurse
Virginia Nero, RN MH
Mental Health Nurse
This is a great, practice process improvement to help respond to Veterans in need.