title: Suicide assessment and action for women veterans.
abstract: Many deployed women Veterans, as described in a previous article, have experienced similar combat exposure as their male counterparts in wars since 1990. Upon reintegration, many Veterans visit civilian health facilities with behavioral health issues, sometimes voicing and/or attempting suicide. Effective nursing assessment and actions are needed to specifically care for this unique population. Any suicide variables (e.g., ideation, attempts, completed) are concerning; therefore, all women Veterans from the Vietnam, Gulf I, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars should be assessed. The first priority is always patient safety. Timely and frequent screening for a variety of risk factors, documented for both men and women Veterans, and women specifically, are important. Symptomology may not become evident for 3 to 15 months into reintegration. Applicable dialogue can recognize changing thoughts, judgment, and behavior patterns. Health promotion efforts, interventions, and resourceful referrals are provided.
authors: Patricia L
authors: PL
authors: Conard
authors: Myrna L
authors: ML
authors: Armstrong
authors: Cathy
authors: C
authors: Young
authors: La Micha
authors: LM
authors: Hogan
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention