Effect of informed consent on veteran disclosure of suicidality and risk factors

Abstract

Veteran mental healthcare patients have been known to conceal suicidal ideation and/or delay disclosure until they have developed trust and rapport with providers. The concealment of suicidal ideation (SI) constitutes a significant barrier to reducing veteran deaths by suicide and is association with fear of negative consequences (e.g., involuntary hospitalization, prohibition of firearms). Standard informed consent procedures may prime patient uncertainty about the relatively low probability of anticipated negative consequences and increase hesitancy to disclose. This study examined if augmenting informed consent with psychoeducation, aimed to help patients achieve a more realistic appraisal of consequences association with disclosure of SI, decreased hesitancy to disclose SI and related risk behaviors among U.S. veterans.