Prevention of Suicide among Veterans and Others on We Deserve Better

     Shauna Springer, Ph.D., can help! She is the Director of Suicide Prevention Initiatives at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). In her previous work as a psychologist for the VA, she created the peer support program in the VA clinic where she worked to help warriors connect with a peer with lived experience as part of their treatment plan. By exploring the deepest values of her patients, she was able to strengthen their most important relationships and help them identify with their sense of purpose.

     She is the expert in several critical subjects that are not often discussed anywhere, such as 1) moral injury, 2) the links between shame, grief and suicidal ideation, and 3) the trust gap between warriors and civilian treatment providers. To brain-injured survivors of combar, and a variety of emotional traumas, these conversations are crucial. Dr. Springer’s suicide prevention work has been featured on a variety television, radio, and online podcasts.

     She is the subject matter expert for the monthly television program "Veterans Voices of Contra Costa County." She has discussed moral injury, suicide prevention innovations, substance abuse, healthy relationships during and after the military, high-dose caffeine use in the veteran population, and the emotional overlay of suicide, both for the victim and those close to that person.