Citation

Kopacz MS. J. Relig. Health 2013; 52(3): 759-767.

Affiliation

VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, 400 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua, NY, 14424, USA, marek.kopacz@va.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Academy of Religion and Mental Health, Publisher Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10943-013-9693-2

PMID

23471771

Abstract

The value of enhanced spiritual wellbeing has largely been overlooked as part of suicide prevention efforts in Veterans. The aim of this qualitative study is to examine the clinical pastoral care services provided by VA Chaplains to Veterans at-risk of suicide. This study was conducted using in-depth interviews with five Chaplains affiliated with a medical center located in upstate New York. This study was able to show that some at-risk individuals do actively seek out pastoral care, demonstrating a demand for such services. In conclusion, a pastoral care framework may already exist in some clinical settings, giving at-risk Veterans the opportunity to access spiritual care.

Language: en