Implementing Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for Suicide Prevention and Depression among At-Risk Rural and Urban Veterans

As highlighted in the Department of Veterans Affairs National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018-2028), the enterprise has adopted a public health approach to suicide prevention (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/Office-of-Mental...). This entails implementing both clinical- and community-based strategies. Towards this end, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been focused on the implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies (EPBs) for selected (e.g., Veterans with depression) and indicated (e.g. Veterans with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors) populations. As part of the transformation of its mental health care system, the VHA promoted the national dissemination and implementation of EBPs in VHA. However, as highlighted below, significant barriers exist in terms of wide-spread implementation of face-to-face interventions. A solution has been the development of online tools and courses for Veterans at-risk for suicide.