Suicide Prevention

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Suicide is a significant issue that impacts individuals, families, communities, and society at large. Policies, programs, training, and resources are available to support suicide prevention as a top priority for the military. 

​For Immediate Concerns

If you or someone you know needs help now, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 and press 1 for the Military Crisis Line or text 838255​.

• ​The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all service members, including members of the ​National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even if they’re not enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare.

Community Resource Guide

• ​For local behavioral health resources, please see your installation ​Community Resource Guide

Resources

• ​​DOD Suicide Prevention Spotlight:​ https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Suicide-Prevention/​​
• Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/suicide-prevention/​​
  
• Defense Suicide Prevention Office:​ https://www.dspo.mil/​​
  
• ​​​​Army​:​ https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/suicide-prevention/index.html​
• Navy:​ https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Culture-Resilience/Suicide-Prevention/​
• Air Force:​ https://www.resilience.af.mil/suicide-prevention-program/
  

Decades of military surveillance and investigations​ have provided information about rates and trends of suicidal behavior, risk and protective factors​, and associations with health conditions (such as sleep disorders).

• ​​Recognizing suicide warning signs, stressors can save lives - even your own
  

​For more information on suicides in the military, check out ​​Behavioral and Social Health Key Findings​.

Through caring language, a leader can break down myths and stigma, reinforce hope, encourage treatment, prevent a crisis, and reduce suicide clusters.

Leaders at all levels play an integral role in building personal and unit readiness and resilience, and shaping the way Service members​​

• prioritize their mental health,
• gain knowledge about supportive resources, and
• engage in help-seeking behaviors.​

Leader Resources 

The Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) published guidance for command teams to implement an integrated suicide prevention program.

• 22-663 Call to Action Suicide Prevention:​ Reducing Suicide in Army Formations Battalion and Brigade Commander's Handbook
• 22-667 Senior Commander’s Guide to Suicide Prevention:​​ Reducing Suicide in Army Formations
• Leaders Suicide Prevention Safe Messaging Guide​
• Postvention Toolkit for Military Suicide Loss​​

Resilience 

We learn to be resilient, and we can learn from the stories of others who faced challenges and overcame difficulties. 

• ​Tip cards are available from the Health Information Products e-Catalog
  

Fact Sheets

• ​Fact Sheet 036-0424:​ Behavioral Health Disorders among U.S. Military Service Members
• Fact Sheet 041-0524: Suicide among U.S. Military Service Members

News Articles

• September 2024:​ DHA-Public Health Army Suicide Emphasizes Firearm Storage, Safety Policies, as Effective Strategies in Suicide Prevention
• September 2024:​​ Suicide Prevention Starts with Reexamining Coping Skills