Citation

Ton AT, Carter SP, Leitner R, Zoellner LA, Mizik N, Reger MA. Arch. Suicide Res. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2023.2199799

PMID

37095634

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In the evidence-based suicide prevention intervention, Caring Letters, healthcare providers send brief, caring messages to patients following psychiatric inpatient care, a time of elevated suicide risk. However, recent studies with military populations have found mixed results. An adaptation of Caring Letters employed a peer framework in which veterans from the community wrote brief caring messages to veterans discharging from psychiatric inpatient treatment after a suicidal crisis.

METHODS: The present study utilized content analysis to assess 90 caring messages generated by 15 peer veterans recruited from veteran service organizations (e.g., American Legion).

RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) Shared Military Service, (2) Care, and (3) Overcoming Adversity. Peer-generated content varied in how the coded themes were expressed in the messages.

CONCLUSION: These veteran-to-veteran caring messages may bolster belongingness, social support, and destigmatize mental health struggles, and have the potential to augment existing Caring Letters effects and interventions.HIGHLIGHTSVeterans commonly wrote about shared military services, care, and adversities.Supportive messages from peers may be tied to social support.

Our analyses support possible benefits for veterans receiving caring messages.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide prevention; Caring letters; content analysis; peer support