For the Military
Official Armed Services Prevention Programs & Materials
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program
Site designed to provide information and tools to members of the Air Force
community (Suicide Prevention Program Managers, commanders, gatekeepers, IDS
members, etc.) in their efforts to help reduce Air Force suicides.
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
U.S. Army suicide prevention materials.
Army Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention (ACPHP) [PDF, 2.5KB]
Coast Guard Suicide Awareness Program
The Coast Guard Suicide Prevention Program provides training and response to
suicidal behavior with an emphasis on awareness and prevention.
Marine Corps Community Services Suicide Prevention Program
Marine Corps suicide prevention resources.
Marine Corps NCO Suicide Prevention Resource Library
A resource library including training guides, resources, course files, videos, and instructor resources.
USMC Training and Education Command (TECOM)
Suicide prevention training slides, handouts, and instructor guides.
Navy Suicide Prevention Program
The Navy's suicide prevention program and resources.
Sailors Unite for Suicide Prevention
The Navy rolled out a new Suicide Prevention poster series Dec. 2 that
encourages Sailors in distress to reach out for help and encourages shipmates to
look out for each other.
Other Prevention Programs
Beyond the Front
Created in cooperation with Lincoln University and the Army Research Laboratory, Beyond the Front is a unique tool for education in the areas of suicide awareness, suicide prevention, and the maintenance of mental health. In Beyond the Front, you become the lead characters in an interactive movie. You play as two U.S. Army Soldiers. You make the decisions that determine your storyline. You experience the consequences. You face the emotional challenges. Can you do enough to help these soldiers in the most important fight of their lives?
The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program
For Veterans
Department of Defense (DoD) Develops Compensation and Benefits Handbook
The Compensation and Benefits Handbook is the one source of information that
covers everything a seriously ill and injured service member will need during
his or her recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration, including information on
mental health treatment.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance Beneficiary Services
Tricare Guide: Understanding Behavioral Health
TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) has recently published A Tricare Guide: Understanding Behavioral Health. The guide is an important tool to reduce the stigma associated with getting help for behavioral and mental health issues.
VOICE (Veterans Outreach Initiative for Competitive Employment)
This program provides an information bridge for better coordination between and across existing programs at all governmental levels and community based service providers.
Peer-to-Peer Support
Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline and Live Chat
The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free 24/7 access to trained counselors. Veterans can call the Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline. There is now a free 24-hour live chat option as well.
Community of Veterans
Join our veterans-only online community to connect with people who know where you're coming from. Share your experiences and help others transition to civilian life.
WarFighterDiaries.com
WarFighterDiaries.com is a social network provided as a resource to our Armed Forces. It’s designed to foster relationships with uniformed service members, through short videos of actual war stories, and real life experiences to build a resilient team.
My Vetwork
My vetwork is our community - open to active duty, retired and veteran, and to our families, friends, and supporters-- where we help each other navigate our world every day of the year.
MDJunction.com: Post Traumatic Stress Support Group
A community of patients, family members, and friends dedicated to dealing with Post Traumatic stress, together.
For Families
MilitaryOneSource.com
A 24/7 Resource for Military Members, Spouses, and Families.
SOFAR - Strategic Outreach to Families of All Reservists
A non-profit organization that provides free psychological support, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and prevention services to extended family of reserve and National Guard deployed. They work together with licensed mental clinicians within the community to provide pro bono services. They are in the process of implementing this wonderful program throughout the US due to the large number of guard and reserve troops all over. They have asked for assistance with reaching out to mental health clinicians within the state of Florida, and getting the word out to people who have contact with families and children about the resource once it gets established here. They are well established in New England and have already received the stamp of approval from the Department of Defense to go forward throughout the US.
After Deployment
Mission: To assist you and the people close to you to manage your after-deployment concerns. We believe that working on solutions is a sign of strength, and the time you spend here is a positive step in ensuring a smooth and healthy transition back to home life.
Support Your Vet
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's Association (IAVA) has created a website to support military families and friends in identifying warning signs in their loved ones and to provide tips on how to engage in conversations about mental health and seeking help.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
For bereaved families who are left to cope after a military/veteran suicide or other casualty.
Reports and Statistics
Invisible Wounds: Serving Service Members and Veterans with PTSD and TBI [PDF, 213K]
More than 1.6 million American service members have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). As of December 2008, more than 4,000 troops have been killed and over 30,000 have returned from a combat zone with visible wounds and a range of permanent disabilities. In addition, an estimated 25-40 percent have less visible wounds—psychological and neurological injuries associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), which have been dubbed “signature injuries” of the Iraq War. Though the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Veterans Administration (VA) have dedicated unprecedented attention and resources to address PTSD and TBI in recent years, and evidence suggests that these policies and strategies have had a positive impact, work still needs to be done.
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21 to 39
Recent research indicates that an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the veterans of
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have reported symptoms of a mental disorder or
cognitive condition. Untreated mental health problems can result in long-term
negative consequences for the affected individuals, their families, their
communities, and our Nation as a whole. Read more from the National Survey of
Drug Use and Health.
Returning Veterans and Their Families with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Needs: Florida's Action Plan Green Paper, January 2009 [PDF, 92K]
Florida’s Veteran’s Team worked to identify the needs of our returning veterans and their families both during initial meetings within Florida, as well as participated in The Returning Veterans and their Families Strategic Planning Conference and Policy Academy (CPA) from August 11 to 13, 2008, in Bethesda, Maryland. As a result of its work, the Florida Veteran’s Team developed an Action Plan to implement strategies addressing the issues presented at the Academy. Florida’s Action Plan for Returning Veterans and their Families is a four (4) pronged strategy.
Veteran Statistics [PDF, 26K]
Overview of current statistics and conditions affecting veterans today.
Training and Webinars
Suicide Prevention: Restricting Access to Lethal Means
Dr. Matthew Miller, Harvard Injury Control Research Center
March 23, 2006