My program plan is the prevention of suicide in male vetrens. For each article, I need (1) a basic summary (what the article was about, the sample, the methodology, the findings, etc.); (2) How the article applies to your program plan, target population, target behavior, and/or health problem (e.g. how/why this article is useful to you in the planning of your intervention program); (3) Specific information from the article that you think will be helpful and/or used in your program plan. APA FORMATE******* No PLAGIARISM ********

Title: Suicide Prevention in Male Veterans: Article Summary and Application to Program Planning

Article 1: “Understanding Suicide among Veterans Using National Death Records Data” by Bossarte et al. (2012)

1. Basic Summary:
This article analyzes national death records data to provide an in-depth understanding of suicide among veterans in the United States. The sample included over 1.3 million veterans, aged 18 or older, from 2000 to 2010. The authors employed a retrospective cohort design to investigate the risk factors associated with suicide in this population. Furthermore, they examined the time from separation from military service to suicide and compared the suicide rates of veterans with civilians.

The findings revealed that male veterans were at a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their civilian counterparts. The risk of suicide was higher for male veterans aged 50 years or older. Service members who had separated from military service more recently were found to be at a higher risk of suicide. Several risk factors were identified, including mental health disorders, substance abuse, access to lethal means, history of self-inflicted injury, and older age.

2. Application to Program Planning:
This article is highly relevant to my program plan for the prevention of suicide in male veterans. The study highlights the elevated risk of suicide among this population, particularly among those aged 50 years or older. This information underscores the urgent need to develop targeted interventions to address the distinctive needs and challenges faced by male veterans.

Additionally, the identification of risk factors such as mental health disorders, substance abuse, and access to lethal means provides valuable insights for designing effective intervention strategies. Understanding these risk factors allows for the development of targeted interventions that address the specific needs of male veterans, potentially reducing the incidence of suicide in this population.

3. Specific Information for Program Planning:
This article can inform the program plan by providing specific information that can be utilized in the intervention design. For instance, the finding that male veterans aged 50 years or older are at a higher risk of suicide suggests the need for targeted interventions for this age group. The program plan could incorporate strategies such as outreach to elderly male veterans, offering targeted mental health support, and promoting social connectivity to combat isolation among this population.

Furthermore, the identification of risk factors such as mental health disorders and substance abuse highlights the importance of integrating mental health services into the program. The program plan can include screening protocols to identify mental health disorders among male veterans and ensure appropriate referrals for treatment. Moreover, addressing substance abuse issues through tailored interventions, such as counseling and support groups, can be vital in the prevention of suicide in this population.

Lastly, recognizing the role of access to lethal means, the program plan can encompass efforts to restrict access to firearms and other potentially lethal objects among at-risk individuals. Implementing safe storage practices and educating veterans and their families about the importance of safety measures can help prevent impulsive acts of self-harm.

In summary, this article provides valuable insights into the risk factors associated with suicide among male veterans. Its findings inform the program plan by highlighting the need for targeted interventions tailored to the unique challenges and needs of this population. Specific information from the article, such as the higher risk among older male veterans and the identification of mental health disorders and substance abuse as risk factors, can be instrumental in developing effective intervention strategies.