Members of the Operation Deep Dive research team have been in communication with the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Health, among other important leaders in our community.
With Phase II of Operation Deep Dive underway, we are prepared to conduct interviews with the surviving family members and friends of veterans who have died by suicide or non-natural causes in the Twin Cities area. Previously, interviews were to be conducted 2-6 months following the date of death, but the IRB has since extended this timeframe to 2-12 months after the date of death.
Additionally, Operation Deep Dive continues to build relationships within the Twin Cities community. Members of the research team have been in communication with the State Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Health, among other important leaders in our community. The Suicide Prevention Program through the VAMC is also taking steps to empower the community by starting the first-ever Twin Cities Suicide Prevention Coalition, led by the Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Jessica Faue. This is an evidence-based, action-focused coalition that takes a multi-dimensional approach to solving this national issue. The coalition’s goal is to, “Eliminate Suicide in the Military-Connected Community within the Greater Metro Area”. Community engagement is necessary for the public health model for suicide prevention. 14 out of the 20 Veterans that die by suicide each day are not engaged in care. We need community and family support to help encourage those Veterans to engage in care. Building coalitions in one way we can inform and partner with families and communities.
-Christine Yost, RA