Understanding the Intersection of Homelessness and Justice Involvement: Enhancing Veteran Suicide Prevention Through VA Programming.

BACKGROUND

Veterans with a history of homelessness and justice involvement are at greater risk for mental health sequelae, including suicide.

OBSERVATIONS: A bidirectional relationship exists between criminal justice involvement and housing instability (ie, the institutional circuit). Homelessness and justice involvement often represent a vicious cycle that is difficult to escape. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a number of programs focused on connecting homeless and justice-involved veterans to health and social services. This paper reviews existing programing and initiatives within such services to detect risk for suicide and connect these veterans to appropriate evidence-based mental health care.

CONCLUSIONS

The VA currently has several programs focused on enhancing care for homeless and justice-involved veterans, many of which currently incorporate suicide prevention initiatives. Understanding of factors that may impact health service delivery of suicide risk assessment and intervention may be beneficial in order to enhance veteran suicide prevention efforts.