Mark A Reger1,2, Mary Grace Lauver3, Caitlin Manchester1, Traci H Abraham4,5, Sara J Landes5,6,7, Melissa M Garrido8,9, Cameron Griffin10, Jack A Woods4, Kiersten L Strombotne8,9, Gregory Hughes3. 1. Mental Health Service Line, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. 3. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Crisis Line, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, VA Central Office, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. 4. Center for Mental Health Outcomes and Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. 5. South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. 6. Behavioral Health QUERI, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. 7. Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. 8. Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 9. Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 10. Veterans Affairs (VA) Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the design, implementation, and plans to evaluate the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) Caring Letters intervention. DATA SOURCES: Veterans with VCL contact and VHA service utilization. STUDY DESIGN: Caring Letters is an evidence-based post-acute care suicide prevention intervention in which brief messages are mailed to individuals at high risk of suicide repeatedly over time to communicate that people care about them and are concerned for their well-being. An effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 1 trial using the RE-AIM evaluation framework is underway to examine the use of Caring Letters with veterans who contact the VCL. A team of suicide prevention subject matter experts, researchers, and operational partners from the VCL will evaluate the effects of Caring Letters on clinical outcomes and Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical utilization rates and examine facilitators and barriers to implementing the Caring Letters campaign. DATA COLLECTION METHODS: Veterans who contact the VCL are linked with national administrative VHA data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of a qualitative formative evaluation. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the first 12 months of the intervention, Caring Letters have been sent to over 100,000 veterans with VCL contact (over 500,000 letters mailed). A formative qualitative evaluation early in implementation revealed a variety of positive veteran perspectives on the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Partnered program design and evaluation with a high level of stakeholder engagement and participant feedback can result in a rigorous and feasible evaluation plan that improves implementation processes and produces actionable results. The initial results of this evaluation will be used to better inform care in the VHA and, specifically, the VCL.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the design, implementation, and plans to evaluate the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) Caring Letters intervention. DATA SOURCES: Veterans with VCL contact and VHA service utilization. STUDY DESIGN: Caring Letters is an evidence-based post-acute care suicide prevention intervention in which brief messages are mailed to individuals at high risk of suicide repeatedly over time to communicate that people care about them and are concerned for their well-being. An effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 1 trial using the RE-AIM evaluation framework is underway to examine the use of Caring Letters with veterans who contact the VCL. A team of suicide prevention subject matter experts, researchers, and operational partners from the VCL will evaluate the effects of Caring Letters on clinical outcomes and Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical utilization rates and examine facilitators and barriers to implementing the Caring Letters campaign. DATA COLLECTION METHODS: Veterans who contact the VCL are linked with national administrative VHA data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of a qualitative formative evaluation. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the first 12 months of the intervention, Caring Letters have been sent to over 100,000 veterans with VCL contact (over 500,000 letters mailed). A formative qualitative evaluation early in implementation revealed a variety of positive veteran perspectives on the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Partnered program design and evaluation with a high level of stakeholder engagement and participant feedback can result in a rigorous and feasible evaluation plan that improves implementation processes and produces actionable results. The initial results of this evaluation will be used to better inform care in the VHA and, specifically, the VCL.
Authors: Claire M Hannemann; Ira R Katz; Megan E McCarthy; Gregory J Hughes; Richard McKeon; John F McCarthy Journal: Suicide Life Threat Behav Date: 2020-12-29
Authors: Gregory L Carter; Kerrie Clover; Ian M Whyte; Andrew H Dawson; Catherine D'Este Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 2013-03-21 Impact factor: 9.319
Authors: Jo Robinson; Hok Pan Yuen; Sara Gook; Alison Hughes; Elizabeth Cosgrave; Eoin Killackey; Kathryn Baker; Anthony Jorm; Patrick McGorry; Alison Yung Journal: Early Interv Psychiatry Date: 2012-01-19 Impact factor: 2.732
Authors: Mark A Reger; Mary Grace Lauver; Caitlin Manchester; Traci H Abraham; Sara J Landes; Melissa M Garrido; Cameron Griffin; Jack A Woods; Kiersten L Strombotne; Gregory Hughes Journal: Health Serv Res Date: 2022-06 Impact factor: 3.734