Handbook of Military and Veteran Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention

For the past decade, suicidal behavior in military and veteran populations has been a constant feature in the news and in the media, with suicide rates among active duty American military personnel reaching their highest level in almost three decades. Handbook of Military and Veteran Suicide reviews the most advanced scientific understanding of the phenomenon of active duty and veteran suicide, while providing a useful, hands-on clinical guide for those working with this population. This comprehensive Handbook covers all relevant topics and current research in suicide in military and veteran populations, including links between suicide and PTSD, the stigma of mental health treatment in the military, screening for firearms access in military and veteran populations, "subintentioned" suicide (e.g. reckless driving and other such "accidental" deaths), women in combat, and working with families. Chapters also cover suicide risk assessment, ethical issues in treating suicidal patients, evidence-based treatments for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and managing suicide in older veterans. Significant issues that may arise in assessing and treating military and veteran populations who are at risk for suicide are presented and discussed with evidence-based and practical recommendations. This Handbook will benefit researchers, policy makers, and clinicians who work with active duty military and veteran populations.

Bruce Bongar, PhD, ABPP, FAPM, CPsychol, CSci, is the Calvin Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University and served as Consulting Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University's School of Medicine as well as Co-Chair and Director of Training for the PGSP-Stanford doctor of psychology program. For over three decades, Professor Bongar's research and published work has focused on the wide-ranging complexities of therapeutic interventions with difficult patients in general, and on suicide and life-threatening behaviors in particular. Glenn Sullivan, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Virginia Military Institute. In addition to his numerous publications and presentations, Dr. Sullivan maintains an active private practice in Lexington, Virginia. His clinical specializations include psychological assessment, forensic evaluation, and the treatment of combat veterans. Larry Charles James, PhD, ABPP, is the President and CEO of the Wright Behavioral Health Group, LLC, and is a Professor at Wright State University. Dr. James retired as a Colonel from the United States Army and served as the Chair of Psychology at both Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Tripler Army Medical Center. Colonel James was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Defense Superior Service Medal.