Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Protocol for Research Within the Department of Veterans Affairs

Escalating rates of suicide among U.S. military Veterans have prompted the Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize Veteran suicide as a chief clinical concern. Veterans Affairs-funded research is consistently dedicated to suicide prevention initiatives, reflecting a commitment to addressing this urgent issue. Although general guidelines have been proposed for recognizing and responding to suicide risk among research participants, to date, no guidelines have been published that are Veteran specific. Veterans exhibit unique suicide risk factors compared to civilians, including higher rates of suicide, a tendency to utilize more lethal means when attempting suicide, and substantial stigma surrounding mental health and help seeking, underscoring the need for Veteran-specific suicide risk assessment and management protocols (SRAMs). This article offers a comprehensive SRAM to guide research with Veteran participants. The protocol provides guidance on (a) accurate assessment of suicide risk, (b) risk management strategies commensurate to presenting risk, and (c) tailoring SRAMs for diverse study designs and contexts. By introducing this standardized, Veteran-focused SRAM, we aspire to bolster ongoing research dedicated to saving the lives of Veterans.