Suicide Prevention:  The Impact of Peer Support

July 10, 2024 • 2:00pm ET

The structure of peer support and its impact within the suicide prevention team can influence positive outcomes in the Veteran population, many of whom are high-risk. Crystal Tabor, Lead Peer Specialist, will share the duties/role of peer support specific to the suicide prevention team and methods utilized to assist Veterans with engagement in care, community inclusion, and outreach efforts.

Following this live lecture, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the role and structure of peer support in suicide prevention.
2. Discuss the benefits of peer support and its impact on the suicide prevention team
3. Review peer support methods utilized to assist Veterans with treatment engagement.

PRESENTER INFORMATION

Crystal Tabor, Lead Peer Specialist

Crystal Tabor is a Lead Peer Specialist who mentors a team of 12 peers at Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System. A Post-911 Veteran who served first as a PATRIOT missile crewmember and then as a combat medic in the U.S. Army, Crystal uses her lived experience to also provide direct care to Veterans both on the Suicide Prevention Team and on the Golden CBOC Mental Health Clinic Team. Crystal has worked for the VA for 16 years, starting in Austin, Texas, and now at Eastern Colorado, where she plans to continue her career for the foreseeable future.

This course is jointly offered by the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the Veterans Health Administration Employee Education System.  Please forward this note to other VHA employees who might also be interested in this learning opportunity.