@article{ref1,
title="Designed and created for a veteran by a veteran: a pilot study of caring cards for suicide prevention",
journal="Suicide and life-threatening behavior",
year="2021",
author="Ehret, Blaire C. and Treichler, Emily B. H. and Ehret, Phillip J. and Chalker, Samantha A. and Depp, Colin A. and Perivoliotis, Dimitri",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: This pilot study investigates feasibility and acceptability of Caring Cards, a suicide prevention intervention inspired by Caring Contacts and the Recovery Model, where Veteran peers create cards that are sent to Veterans recently discharged from a VA psychiatric hospitalization for suicide risk. <br><br>METHODS: Caring Cards consists of: (1) a weekly outpatient group where Veterans (card makers) create cards, and (2) sending cards to recently discharged Veterans (card recipients). Feasibility for card makers was measured by attendance; acceptability (satisfaction) was examined. Card recipients were sent one caring card, one week post-discharge. Feasibility for recipients was measured by the percentage of Veterans that met eligibility and follow-up response rate; acceptability (satisfaction) was examined. <br><br>RESULTS: Caring Cards is feasible and acceptable. The outpatient group had a higher attendance rate (81%) compared with other clinic groups. The percentage of eligible card recipients was 61%. Of these, 69% were reached for follow-up and 50% provided follow-up responses. Card makers and recipients both expressed positive experiences with Caring Cards. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Caring Cards is a low-intensity, feasible, and acceptable intervention with potential benefits for both Veteran card makers and recipients. Additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of Caring Cards as a suicide prevention intervention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0363-0234",
doi="10.1111/sltb.12762",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12762"
}