Creating and Seizing Opportunities to Serve the Military

Case Study: Air Force Clinical Training Project

David LittsAssociate Director, Suicide Prevention Resource

Center

The Military

1.4M Active members* Army – 507k Navy – 348k Air Force – 347k Marines – 180k

1.2M Reserve and Guard** 650k Civilian employees*

*Source: DoD, 2006**Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2004

Military Culture Constitutional underpinning: civilian control Each branch culturally distinct People: the most important weapon system Patriotic volunteers in service to country Commitment to the mission; willing to die Values: excellence, integrity, service Leaders: Aiming to do “right” in very political

environment

Relationships Matter

May 06 – Problem: ”Have money; need training; no time.”

June 06 – Drafted solution Aug 06 – RFP: proposals due in 2

weeks Sep 06 – Awarded

Case Study: Air Force: The Need Pioneered comprehensive

approaches to suicide prevention in ’90s

Implemented and evaluated extensive public health approaches to preventing suicide

Recognized relative deficit in training of mental health providers—1200 of them at 79 locations worldwide

HHD Solution: AMSR

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk: Core Competencies for Mental Health Professionals One-day workshop Developed during first 3-year contract

for SPRC Deployed April 2006 Completed ~ 17 workshops in first 7

mos

AF Contract Requirements Conduct AMSR workshops at 45 bases in

12 months Trainers:

Doctoral level > 10 yrs in practice; > 2 yrs in clinical training settings

Curriculum: Developed by panel of nationally recognized

experts Focuses on essential skills for assessing and

managing suicide risk

Thought Questions

For what other unmet DoD/VA needs are there HHD solutions?

With whom do we have relationships that could produce service opportunities?

Where should we seek similar relationships?