Research
Suicide Prevention
In Phase 1, we completed several formative areas of work. We reviewed all English-language scholarly literature on how, when, and where military and Veteran (mV) families are included and/or involved along the suicide prevention pathway (i.e., prevention, intervention, and postvention). We also identified, analyzed, and compared international policy related to suicide prevention and mV families. What remains unknown is what the best practice is for families and suicide prevention, broadly speaking, and how these best practices are represented (or not) within the military and Veteran ecosystem. We will explore this over the next two years.
Research team: Dr. Heidi Cramm
Trainees: Dr. Denise DuBois
Collaborators: Dr. Alyson Mahar, Dr. Rachael Gribble, Prof. Nicola Fear
Funder: Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Mental Health Conditions (CoE)
Resilience Training for PSP Families
(coming soon)
The proposed intervention is family-centred and focused on prevention to heighten PSP families’ awareness and understanding of some of the impacts of their day-to-day challenges. Though most PSP families function well, there is evidence that otherwise capable families can be derailed by cumulative or unexpected events. Developing key skills and accumulating resources can significantly increase opportunities for families to avert or manage a crisis. The goal of this intervention is to motivate families to work together to strengthen relationships and enhance their decision-making skills. The program is strength-based, evidence-informed, and interactive (fun!) and will be piloted in an online self-directed format to allow families to participate and progress through the modules at their own pace.
Marilyn Cox, MFSG
Research Assistant, Dept. Family Studies and Gerontology. Mount Saint Vincent University