Suicide Prevention and Awareness Includes Postvention Efforts

As a part of that mission, the Suicide Postvention Team is spreading awareness around another important aspect of prevention: those left behind.

“Postvention is intervention or support provided for those effected by a suicide. The VA considers postvention an important part of suicide prevention,” said Rev. Dr. Cindy R Wallace, BCC-SP, NAVAC, CCISM, CGP. Wallace is a Mental Health Chaplain and Co-Leads the Suicide Postvention Team at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, alongside clinical social worker, Carla McQuaid, LCSW.

According to the CDC, there were 45, 979 suicide deaths in 2020. That equates to nearly one death every eleven minutes. The numbers for those who attempt suicide, or report contemplating it, are much higher. The ripple effect of suicide is widespread.

“Studies show that for every person who dies by suicide, 115 people are left to deal with the aftermath,” said Wallace. “Loved ones, friends, coworkers or even distant associates can struggle with grief, and it can increase their own risk of suicidal ideations or destructive behaviors.”

Studies also show that those closely connected to someone who commits suicide may be more likely to struggle with depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations. Washington DC VA Medical Center’s Postvention Team exists to provide health care, mental health care and spiritual guidance to family and friends who lost a Veteran to suicide. They support those struggling to process and move past the grief, which Wallace said can be difficult for many because of the negative stigma associated with suicide.

“People don’t often talk about a suicide like they would another loss, it might feel wrong to them, to grieve it in the same way,” said Wallace. “We are here to let them know it is ok to talk about it, and to normalize that pain and grief.”

The Postvention Team provides short-term care and connections to bereavement groups in the DC area or online. They also send letters of support and call to check-in around important dates that may cause grief to surface, like anniversaries of a loss. For those who continue to struggle after a few months, they offer long-term connections outside the VA.

“It is normal to grieve, but if you find yourself struggling to get up, eat, go to work or take care of yourself, then we want to provide long-term, one-on-one care to help you,” said Wallace. “Our outside resources allow us to do that in a closer-to-home, more convenient environment for many.”

The Postvention Team supports the family and friends of Veterans who have died by suicide as well as VA staff who provided care for the deceased Veteran. They work with the Critical Incident Stress Management Team to support colleagues who lost a patient to suicide.

“It is never easy to lose a patient, and even health care professionals need help processing grief sometimes,” said Wallace. “The bottom line is this: we are not here to judge the person you lost, or you. But if the loss is causing you to struggle with moving on in your own life, we are here to listen and help.”

For answers to questions about suicide prevention, postvention or to connect with Chaplain Service, call 202-745-8000, ext. 56278.