Suicide Risk Among Veterans with TBI, ALS and Stroke

Acquired neurologic conditions can lead to functional challenges and changes that might increase risk for suicide. In this episode, Dr. Jordan Wyrwa and Dr. Lisa Brenner discuss three recent research papers on suicide rates among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Stroke. They talk about the similarities and differences of how these conditions impact mental health and offer guidance to providers on suicide risk screening and lethal means safety. Learn more from the resources below.

Transcript: Short Takes Episode 132 Transcript

Articles Discussed:

Suicide and Traumatic Brain Injury Among Individuals Seeking Veterans Health Administration Services Between Fiscal Years 2006 and 2015

Suicide Among Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 

Suicide After Stroke in the US Veteran Health Administrative Population

Lethal Means Safety for Providers:

Information on lethal means safety 

Free training on lethal means safety

 

Guest Bios:

 

Lisa A. Brenner, Ph.D., is a Board-Certified Rehabilitation Psychologist, a Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Psychiatry, and Neurology at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center. She is also Vice Chair of Research for the Department of PM&R.

Jordan Wyrwa, DO, is a Board-Eligible Fellow Physician in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado. He is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado, PM&R Residency Program.