15 Things Veterans Want Healthcare Providers to Know
The Northwest Pennsylvania (NW PA) Veteran Suicide Prevention Program operates on a three-pronged approach involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and Veterans and their families in the 15 counties of NW PA. PsychArmor is a nonprofit that offers critical resources to Americans so they can effectively engage with and support military service members, Veterans, and their families. As our program works closely with healthcare providers throughout the 15-county region, we want to spread the word about a free, online training opportunity they offer.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about publicizing the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program in your community, please reach out to us.
Read time: 2 minutes
Course completion time: 30 minutes
Things Veterans Want You to Know
This 30-minute video course was created to educate healthcare providers who care for our military Veterans. PsychArmor asked hundreds of Veterans what they wanted health care providers to know about them. The course is free but registration is required. Visit the course page to learn more.
What You Will Learn
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the questions you should always ask a Veteran.
- Learn the one question you should never ask a Veteran.
- Gain awareness of 15 facts that promote greater understanding of your Veteran patients.
- Describe the ways that this cultural understanding will enhance your practice.
Who This Course is For
This module is designed for healthcare professionals who treat military service members and Veteran-connected patients. However, it can be accessed by anyone wishing to work more effectively with their Veteran patients to promote better patient understanding and culturally-informed care.
- Primary care physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Psychologists
About Your Instructor
Heidi Squier Kraft, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer, PsychArmor
Heidi Squier Kraft received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the UC San Diego/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology in 1996. She joined the Navy during her internship at Duke University Medical Center and went on to serve as both a flight and clinical psychologist. Her active duty assignments included the Naval Safety Center, the Naval Health Research Center and Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL. While on flight status, she flew in nearly every aircraft in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory, including more than 100 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet, primarily with Marine Corps squadrons. In February 2004, she deployed to western Iraq for seven months with a Marine Corps surgical company, when her boy and girl twins were 15-months-old. Her book, Rule Number Two, is a memoir of that experience. Dr. Kraft left active duty in 2005. She currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer at PsychArmor Institute, a national non-profit dedicated to evidence-based education for those who live with, care for, and work with the military-connected community.
Looking to Get Involved?
Whether you identify as a healthcare provider, community organization, or Veteran, there are several opportunities through the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program and PERU to connect to resources, participate in educational training, and promote harm reduction strategies. We are actively recruiting healthcare and community partners to work with us in meeting our goals and objectives. To learn more, visit the program website at theresilientveteran.org.
Need Help? Know Someone Who Does? Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Both are free and confidential. You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor in your area.