Promoting Mental Health and Improving Care for Veterans Experiencing Suicidality​

Learning Objectives:     

At the end of this module, participants will better understand: 

• Contributing factors to suicidality and how to properly identify veterans 
• Risk and risk assessments and how to manage and stratify risk 
• What safety planning is and when to provide lethal means safety counseling and what services Maine offers and how to refer a veteran.  

Module Structure: 

This module is self-paced and available to any user who registers with the Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement Learning Lab. The estimated time to complete is approximately 150 minutes. The module consists of multiple sub-sections or units and will contain various elements, including hyperlinks to readings and web resources, video lessons, and pre-and post-assessments needed to obtain a CME Certificate or a CME Certificate of Participation. 

The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement. The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

None of the planners or presenters for this activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Duration & Fee:  FREE for Maine Clinicians 

Estimated Time to Complete: 150 minutes 

(note: the module is divided into short digestible units [10-20 mins] that can be completed in small increments) 

Hardware/Software Requirements: 

• Computer with Internet connection 
• Current version of Chrome, Firefox or Safari browser. You must have JavaScript enabled. 
• The quiz tool within the online modules are not fully compatible with smartphones or tablets. To avoid issues, such as answers not being recorded, we recommend using a computer to complete the pre- and post-tests. 

Assessment and Grading: 

This learning module begins with a pre-test that will test your knowledge and allow you to gauge your baseline understanding of the topics to be covered. Your pre-test score will not count toward your overall grade. At the end of the module, there is a post-test that will determine your final grade. A comparison of your pre-test score and post-test score will help to assess how much knowledge you’ve gained. You will have three attempts to complete the post-test. Your score must be 75% or better in order to receive the 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Please complete the evaluation survey at the conclusion of the learning module. 

To Obtain a CME Certificate or a Certificate of Participation: 

• Complete the entire learning module. 
• Complete the pre-test, post-test, and Survey Monkey evaluation at the end of the module. 
• Earn a score of 75% or higher on the post-test in order to receive a certificate. 

Upon completion of the evaluation in Survey Monkey, including the required demographic information, a CME Certificate will be emailed to M.D.s and D.O.s and a CME Certificate of Participation will be emailed to all other learners. These certificates will be emailed within 10 business days of completing the evaluation. 

Table of Contents:  The units will consist of the following: 

• Introduction 
• Pre-Assessment 
• Unit 1 Veteran Identification 
• Unit 2 Risk Assessment 
• Unit 3 Lethal Means Safety Counseling 
• Unit 4 Community-Based Interventions 
• Unit 5 Other Social Service Supports and Information 
• Unit 6 Resources
• Post-Assessment 

Disclosures: The planners and presenters for this module have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Catherine Cooper, MSW, LCSW
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Department of Veteran’s Affairs 

Barrett Fisher 
Supervisor 
Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Service 

Ellen Hurd, LCSW 
VA Maine’s Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act Coordinator
Department of Veteran’s Affairs  

Michelle Hansen, LCSW, LICW, LADC, CCS 
Senior Director of Crisis Services
The Opportunity Alliance 

Kate Marble, LCSW 
Director of Case Management
Health Affiliates Maine 

Amy Carter, BSHA-M
Director
Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement 

Janet Johnson
Administrative Assistant
Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement 

This module is made possible by the generous support and funding from our partners at the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine.