title: Influences on call outcomes among veteran callers to the National Veterans Crisis Line.
abstract: The association of caller and call characteristics with proximal outcomes of Veterans Crisis Line calls were examined. From October 1-7, 2010, 665 veterans with recent suicidal ideation or a history of attempted suicide called the Veterans Crisis Line; 646 had complete data and were included in the analyses. A multivariable multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify correlates of a favorable outcome (a resolution or a referral) when compared to an unfavorable outcome (no resolution or referral). A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of responder-rated caller risk in a subset of calls. Approximately 84% of calls ended with a favorable outcome, 25% with a resolution, and 59% with a referral to a local health care provider. Calls from high-risk callers had greater odds of ending with a referral than without a resolution or referral, as did weekday calls (6:00 am to 5:59 pm EST, Monday through Friday). Responders used caller intent to die and the absence of future plans to determine caller risk. Findings suggest that the Veterans Crisis Line is a useful mechanism for generating referrals for high-risk veteran callers. Responders appeared to use known risk and protective factors to determine caller risk.
authors.affiliation: VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, Canandaigua Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY, USA; Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Britton
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bossarte
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Conner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*