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. 2021 Oct;51(5):872-881.
doi: 10.1111/sltb.12762. Epub 2021 May 17.

Designed and created for a veteran by a veteran: A pilot study of caring cards for suicide prevention

Blaire C Ehret  1   2 , Emily B H Treichler  2   3 , Phillip J Ehret  1 , Samantha A Chalker  1 , Colin A Depp  1   2 , Dimitri Perivoliotis  1   2
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Designed and created for a veteran by a veteran: A pilot study of caring cards for suicide prevention

Blaire C Ehret et al. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: This pilot study investigates feasibility and acceptability of Caring Cards, a suicide prevention intervention inspired by Caring Contacts and the Recovery Model, where Veteran peers create cards that are sent to Veterans recently discharged from a VA psychiatric hospitalization for suicide risk.

Methods: Caring Cards consists of: (1) a weekly outpatient group where Veterans (card makers) create cards, and (2) sending cards to recently discharged Veterans (card recipients). Feasibility for card makers was measured by attendance; acceptability (satisfaction) was examined. Card recipients were sent one caring card, one week post-discharge. Feasibility for recipients was measured by the percentage of Veterans that met eligibility and follow-up response rate; acceptability (satisfaction) was examined.

Results: Caring Cards is feasible and acceptable. The outpatient group had a higher attendance rate (81%) compared with other clinic groups. The percentage of eligible card recipients was 61%. Of these, 69% were reached for follow-up and 50% provided follow-up responses. Card makers and recipients both expressed positive experiences with Caring Cards.

Conclusion: Caring Cards is a low-intensity, feasible, and acceptable intervention with potential benefits for both Veteran card makers and recipients. Additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of Caring Cards as a suicide prevention intervention.

Keywords: caring cards; suicide prevention; veterans.

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References

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