Older Veterans’ High Rate Of Suicide Highlights Difficulties Of Identifying, Addressing Risk Factors In Vulnerable Population
Those 55 and older still represent the largest number of suicides among veterans. Experts say that one of the reasons may be because older men are more likely to reject treatment for mental health issues, which is another big risk factor.
KPBS:
VA Struggles To Unlock The Reasons Behind High Risk Of Suicide Among Older Veterans
Much of the focus by the Veterans Health Administration has been on the growing number of younger veterans who commit suicide. However, statistics show that elderly veterans kill themselves in larger numbers than other people the same age. (Walsh, 12/14)
In other mental health news —
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Kaiser Patients Speak Out About Lengthy Waits For Mental Health Therapy
Union members say patients must wait four to six weeks, on average, for individual therapy appointments because Kaiser has not hired enough mental health workers to properly treat its members. Many who need individual care are funneled into group therapy, union members say. Michelle Gaskill-Hames, chief nurse executive for Kaiser Permanente Northern California, said the HMO is working aggressively to hire therapists, accelerate care for patients who need it most urgently and improve mental health services for patients across its system. (Bordas, 12/15)