Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
In the Spring of 2020, the State of Maryland joined the US Department of Health and Human Services/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and US Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the national Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and Families (SMVF).
Governor's Challenge three areas of focus:
1. Identifying service members, veterans and their families and screening for suicide risk
2. Promoting connectedness and improving care transitions
3. Lethal means safety and safety planning
Work being done to support the focus areas:
Ask the Question Campaign
Visit Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans for more information on screening for military service and to request training.
Trained Military Assistance Provider Program (TMAP)
A free, online, and on-demand training designed for both clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals. TMAP equips professionals to better understand the unique challenges of military-connected individuals. CEU/CMEs provided. Register here.
Visit the PsychArmor Governor’s Challenge Training Portal to take FREE on demand training on topics like military culture, things veterans want you to know, caregiver support, and suicide prevention.
For more information, please contact: Dana Burl, Challenge Team Co-Lead, Deputy Secretary, DVMF at [email protected].
Resources
Department of Health/Maryland Commitment to Veterans
Offers peer support and information and referral services for US uniformed service members, veterans, and their families in Maryland. The program also provides educational opportunities for behavioral health and medical providers, peers, first responders, and community partners.
Referral line: 877-770-4801
VA Behavioral Health Services
Mental Health
Get connected with mental health care—no matter your discharge status, service history, or eligibility for VA health care. Find out how to access VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. You can use some services even if you’re not enrolled in VA health care.
Substance Use Disorder Program
Counseling for combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma
Vet Center
Veterans, or family members, who served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon (Vietnam, Southwest Asia, OEF, OIF, etc.) or who are survivors of military sexual trauma are eligible for Vet Center services. Readjustment counseling is provided to include a wide range of services to eligible veterans and their families.
Safe Storage Map
Developed by Marylanders to Prevent Gun VIolence the Safe Storage Map helps community members find local options for temporary, voluntary firearm storage. Out-of-home gun storage can be especially helpful to persons in crisis at risk for suicide. As of the spring of 2020, the businesses and law enforcement agencies listed on the map are willing to consider requests for temporary, voluntary gun storage. The link also provides a list of frequently asked questions about safe storage of firearms.
Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals
The Cohen Clinic at Easterseals provides high-quality, accessible behavioral healthcare focused on post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and caregivers.