Suicide Prevention

Service members in crisis should seek help immediately by contacting the Military Crisis Line. Dial 800-273-8255 (press 1 for military) for 24/7 crisis support. The crisis line, found at http://militarycrisisline.net, also provides a chat and text service.

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You are not alone. There is support.

The Department of Defense (DoD) takes the issue of suicide very seriously and is actively working to reduce the number of suicides. DoD has implemented many programs and services to help service members and their families cope with everyday stresses and those unique to military life.

Everyone can help prevent suicide. Know how to recognize common risk factors including chronic pain; feelings of guilt, anger, or shame; exposure to trauma; a sense of hopelessness; relationship problems; and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you notice these behaviors in friends and family who have served in the military, encourage them to seek help.

It’s important to talk about feelings of depression or posttraumatic stress. If you're looking for more information or resources, trained health professionals are available 24/7 at the DCoE Outreach Center by live chat, email or phone.

Check out our blog post about the "A Creed for a Comrade" video. You can also view a
PDF version of the creed.

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Useful Information

• Review of Well-Being in the Context of Suicide Prevention and Resilience
• Reporting on Suicide
• SuicideOutreach.org is a DoD/VA website that provides valuable resources for suicide prevention
• You Are Not Alone: Suicide Prevention Tools for Warriors
• Restoring Hope: You Can Help Save a Life
  Stories and information from across the services
• What if Someone I Know Needs Help?
  From the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• VA Suicide Risk Assessment Guide (pdf pocket card)

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Multimedia

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Service Specific Resources

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps
• Navy
• National Guard

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Veterans

• Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention
• VA ACE Card and brochure
• Veterans FAQs from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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Family Resources

• Talking about losing a family member to suicide is tough at any age, but it’s even more difficult to try to explain this loss to a child. Sesame Workshop’s “Talk, Listen, Connect” episode When Families Grieve presents families' personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.
• Suicide Facts: What Military Families Should Know to Help Loved Ones Who May Be At Risk

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General

• Afterdeployment.org offers a variety of wellness resources for service members, veterans and families to include online assessments and workshops.
• Deployment Health Clinical Center Suicide Prevention
• Military One Source offers Minding Your Mental Health Resource.
• Military Pathways is a psychological health screening and referral program for military families and service members affected by deployment and mobilization. This voluntary and anonymous program is offered online, by phone, and through special events held at installations and reserve units.
• Real Warriors Campaign information on ways to deal with combat stress.
• Suicide Facts for Primary Care Providers Helping Service Members and Families Overcome Barriers to Care
• TRICARE offers a Mental Health Resource Center for service members and their families.
• U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Directorate Of Health Promotion and Wellness, provides suicide prevention resources and training for service members and families.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for ANYONE who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death.
• Blue Star Mothers of America are mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military.