RESUMO
Mental health clinicians frequently experience hate speech during patient care, resulting in an ethical dilemma. This study evaluated a 1-hour webinar discussing the ethics of working with Veterans who use hate speech, motivations and intentions of hate speech, and guidance on how to respond. The webinar was offered through the virtual Community-Based Outpatient Clinic Mental Health Grand Rounds session at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Rural mental health clinicians were the target audience; however, all VHA clinicians could attend. Participants were VHA clinicians who completed the evaluation for the training and received one continuing education unit for this training (n = 668). They were highly satisfied with the training and would recommend it to others. They also reported the intention to talk with coworkers and trainees about responding to hate speech and requested additional training. The recorded training can be viewed for free at https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn16/working-with-patients-who-use-hate-speech.asp.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based self-help wellness interventions have several benefits, including low cost, brevity, and lack of need for a health care professional. Veterans, in particular, may benefit from a self-guided resource, given a culture of self-reliance, mental health help-seeking stigma, and a high need for mental health care. Despite the high need, few self-help resources are designed for veterans. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this project was to create the Veteran Wellness Guide, a self-guided resource comprising SMART goal setting and evidence-based interventions for veterans (e.g., self-kindness, gratitude, diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness). METHODS: First, a Veteran Engagement Group reviewed the guide and provided feedback on veteran-centric content and design. After the authors revised the guide, a subset of the group approved changes. Additional veterans used it for 2 weeks and provided feedback. RESULTS: Veterans reported the guide as being highly useful, were willing to recommend it to other veterans, and identified a need for it in the veteran community. Veterans and Veterans Health Administration clinicians and leadership helped to craft a dissemination plan to reach veterans whether they receive care through the Veterans Health Administration or the community. CONCLUSIONS: Partnering with veterans in the creation of the wellness guide led to a veteran-centric product tailored to meet the unique wellness needs of veterans. The guide has been nationally disseminated and downloaded over 3000 times and can be downloaded for free from our website.
