Center of Excellence at the Canandaigua VA making strides in mission to prevent suicide
Its no surprise that helping veterans find meaning in their lives after military service is crucial. Wounds of war, mental and physical, take their toll not to mention separation from community and loved ones.
Last month, Gulf war veteran Ken Bardo of Phelps talked about the struggle. So did Vietnam veteran Gene Simes of Walworth. Both men have been in counseling for years, among other treatments, and expect they will need help for the rest of their lives.
Sometimes we cry because it hurts, said Simes.
What is surprising to some is how powerful a new treatment based on an age-old philosophy that spirituality is good for you could be in helping vets find meaning in their lives and thus help prevent veteran suicide.
For many veterans self-image has just plummeted, said Canandaigua VA Chaplain Robert Searle, who is behind a research study at the Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. The study is about the effect of spiritual care on preventing suicide. Veterans feel guilt, they have inner wounds, Searle said. When a person is broken and bruised inside as many veterans are, they need to feel forgiveness and that their life has meaning, he said.
Last July, Veterans Affairs released its largest analysis of veteran suicide rates. VA found anaverage of 20 veterans died from suicide every day in 2014. The Center of Excellence at Canandaigua VA is one of a number of VA centers of excellence nationwide but the only center whose studies and research focus on suicide prevention.
The study at Canandaigua involving the effect of spirituality was recently published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine and Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy. While preliminary, an evaluation of the program is promising, according to Searle and others involved such as Dr. Marek S. Kopacz, a researcher with the Center of Excellence.
The concept of spiritual care contributing to mental health goes back a long time, said Kopacz. What makes this study significant is its a first step to looking at data, looking at the before and after to provide evidence, he said.
Searle said the study grew out of an approach he uses as chaplain with a centuries-old practice called lectio divina. It involves focused scripture reading (typically in the Judeo-Christian tradition) in small groups. As the reading is repeated, each veteran pinpoints one word that for him or her has special meaning and then talks about it.
The word goes from head to heart, said Searle.
The chaplain added that more and more veterans wanted to get involved in lectio divina. There is an identity of self that goes beyond what we see, said Seale. The program helps veterans find that identity and sense of purpose, he said. Veterans who have been in the program express relief, he said.
Veterans come to me and say, I feel loved, I feel forgiven, Searle said. Now they can be in a relationship, with their community, with their family.
While this first-of-its kind study on spirituality and veteran suicide prevention takes off, the Center of Excellence at the VA on Fort Hill Avenue is making strides in other ways as well.
In Building 37, a floor below the Veterans Crisis Line center where dispatchers take calls, theres another call center where VA employees call out. About 20 staffers work in the research call center focused on gathering information. Calls go out to veterans, family members and others who willingly offer insight and information used to improve communication, treatment and education pertaining to suicide prevention.
We take a public health approach, said Dr. Elizabeth Karras, a research investigator for the VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. Also a senior clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester, Karras talked about the partnership between the Center of Excellence and other institutions such as the University of Rochester and agencies including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Research at the center targets risk factors, intervention and education. Research deals with everything from the effect of sleep on suicide prevention to the effect of prescription drugs and other factors.
We carry it all the way through, said Stephanie Gamble, a research psychologist at the Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. Gamble, also assistant professor of psychiatry (psychology) at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said the center touches all areas involved with suicide prevention. She and Karras called the center a one-stop-shop with a most serious mission.
Everybody sees the nature of the problem, said Kopacz. They see us as part of the solution.
Need help?
Veterans Crisis Line:1-800-273-8255, Press 1
Text message: 838255
Read the original:
Treating veterans' 'inner wounds': The role of spirituality - News ... - MPNnow.com
- Book Excerpt: One Song [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Book Review: The Mitten Tree [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Book Review: The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Book Review: Mama, Will It Snow Tonight? [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- Book Review: There's No Such Thing as Monsters! [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: Perestroika [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: Nothing Like the Holidays [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Literacy Blog: Must We Have Bad Music in Public Spaces? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Angels and Dragons [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: A Soul's Journey [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Review: A Book of Hours [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: A Book of Hours [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Storm [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Skin [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: The Anger Diet [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Newsletter: October 31, 2009: The Abbot Who Declared The Hall Is Finished [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Suffering and the Courage of God [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Life-Changing Affirmations [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: The Answer Man [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: The Dead [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Five Voices, Five Faiths [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: Lemon Tree (Etz Limon) [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Documentary Film Review: Unmistaken Child [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- DVD Documentary Film Review: Food, Inc. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: The Workplace Revolution [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Journeys of Courage [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: The Men Who Stare at Goats [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: The Gift of Prayer [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: That Evening Sun [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: The Box [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Relax and Melt into a deep deep meditative state. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Symptoms of Anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Nonduality And Spirituality---Enlightenment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- How Not to Stop Anxiety Attacks---Part 1 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Natural Treatment for Anxiety disorders--Antidote anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What to do When Anxiety Attacks--Antidote Anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritually charged metaphysical spiritual quote [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Release Technique & Non Duality& Law of attraction [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- NonDuality & Manifestation [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- All Is One, One is All !! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Worrying about Anxiety---Antidote Anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Free course on Conquering Anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Manifesting Prosperity,Love manifesting,Dream Manifesting [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Stress and Anxiety Relief Treatment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction with Brainwave entrainment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- How to Remove feeling of Fear and Anxiety [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Relieve Stress:Financial Troubles, Low Self Esteem [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Meditation, Enlightenment & Paradox [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- False beliefs and Emotional Healing to develop emotional intelligence [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Millionaire Mind- Meditations Manifesting Abundance [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Three Essential requirements to learn Self Hypnosis Quickly [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Non duality and manifestation--Law of attraction [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Law of Attraction-- Manifesting Wealth Beyond Reason [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Secret Busted--- Flaws of the Secret. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Web of Silence [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2009]
- Living Spiritual Teachers Project: Byron Katie [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Before Tomorrow [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Sadhu Sundar Singh [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Spiritual Literacy Blog: We May Be Born with an Urge to Help [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Everybody's Fine [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Brothers [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Gigante [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: When People Grieve [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: The Last Station [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Feature Film Review: Up in the Air [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Learning to Pray [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Beyond Absence [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Ecology & Liberation [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Feature: The Best Spiritual Books of 2009 (So Far) [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: Julie & Julia [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- DVD Documentary Film Review: The Cove [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- DVD Feature Film Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Review: Spirit of Service [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Spirit of Service [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Review: The Wolf at Twilight [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: The Wolf at Twilight [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Review: Memories of Muhammad [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Memories of Muhammad [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Book Excerpt: Humility Matters for Practicing The Spiritual Life [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]