From combat to coping: How crisis response planning is changing the fight against veteran suicide

The battle doesn’t always end when one leaves the military; in the close-knit community that is the military, camaraderie is just as crucial as uniforms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a powerful enemy that many American veterans of the armed forces face even after they leave the battlefield. The risk of suicidal thoughts and actions becomes evident amid this ongoing battle, demanding not only intervention but also a battle plan that takes into account the particular experiences of those who have served.

These fighters have now been given a lifeline thanks to research conducted by Ohio State University featured in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders. It presents Crisis Response Planning (CRP), similar to a combat tactic, as a tactic intended to drastically lower suicide ideation among veterans receiving mass cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for PTSD.

“This study shows that crisis response planning can rapidly reduce suicide risk. It is the first study to prove this technique works when used during massed therapy for PTSD,” said principal investigator Craig J. Bryan.

For many veterans, PTSD is more than just a diagnosis; it’s a daily mental trench war, where memories of being exposed to combat, sexual assault, and other traumas lie in wait. The study’s emphasis on CRP provides a concrete answer to the cry for assistance many isolated veterans experience.

The clinical trial involved 157 veterans and armed forces members. Those who received CRP reported much faster and greater decreases in suicidal thoughts than those who received self-guided safety planning.

This discovery represents a potential turning point in the military community’s long-running fight against PTSD and suicide ideation. The study’s approach reflects the fundamental characteristics of military training, which are practical, uncomplicated, and application-focused.

The research addresses the important issue of managing suicide risk in outpatient care, a significant concern for many veterans, along with reducing PTSD symptoms. It suggests a dual approach that merges the benefits of intensive CPT with a specific plan to combat suicidal thoughts by including CRP in the treatment. This strategy recognizes veterans' varied challenges and offers a comprehensive solution.

“Next we want to learn if using CRP with other treatments can similarly reduce suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts across patient groups and clinic types,” said lead author Justin Baker.

The study has significant implications for the military community. It’s a call to action to include CRP in the toolbox to combat PTSD and thoughts of suicide. The study serves as a reminder that although the fight against PTSD and suicidal thoughts is formidable, it is not unwinnable.