Joint Base San Antonio > News

Commentary: Overcoming abuse
April 5, 2024 — I joined the U.S. Air Force when I was 38 years old. My life's purpose aligned with their basic principles of honesty, quality, and service before self, which made joining the military a great professional choice. For 10 years I was a stay-at-home mother; prior to that, I worked as an interpreter, an English teacher in Brazil, a co-owner of a transportation company that I helped launch, and in the marketing and healthcare sectors. I also developed a strong interest in managing a nonprofit ministry that supports abuse victims. This is my Air Force story; why despite my difficult life experiences and many jobs I had, I chose to become an Airman... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Michelle Ferrari, 49th Wing Public Affairs journeyman, poses for a photo at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, April 3, 2024. Ferrari shared her experiences that ultimately led to her joining the Air Force, exemplifying resiliency and the ability to overcome hardships and traumatic experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antonio Salfran)

Preventing suicide through social connectedness
September 19, 2023 — Suicide is a significant public health issue that impacts individuals, families, communities and society at large. The issue is also tied to what the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vevek Murthy, called an “Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” in a May health advisory that calls for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection... MORE

JBSA launches suicide prevention, awareness month campaign
September 6, 2022 — September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Joint Base San Antonio is preparing for a multitude of activities to help with bringing attention to this public health issue. Getting the message out encourages JBSA personnel "to seek help" and that "support is within reach" and always available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)... MORE

Tough Conversation: Suicide, mental health awareness
December 23, 2021 — Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, the 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine hosted their “Tough Conversation” forum Dec. 14, 2021, where they discussed suicide awareness and mental health issues with 12 JBSA-Randolph members... MORE

Preventing suicide includes support of JBSA family, agencies
June 25, 2021 — Whether it’s going through basic training, processing or deploying, service members, military spouses and family members are constantly having to adapt to change. Sometimes the stressors of military life, or other life-changing events, can cause loneliness, isolation or depression and lead to thoughts of suicide. ... MORE

Command Master Chief Wendell Snider (middle) holds a signs in support of the We Care Day event April. 16, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The event was in support of Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse awareness month.

‘You are important’ - JBSA Suicide Prevention Program reaches out
March 12, 2021 — In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Joint Base San Antonio Suicide Prevention Program has not stopped its life-saving efforts. They have simply reconfigured them to be flexible and meet people’s needs during a difficult time. ... MORE

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Joint Base San Antonio Suicide Prevention Program has not stopped its life-saving efforts. They have simply reconfigured them to be flexible and meet people’s needs during a difficult time.

Commentary: Connect to protect
September 22, 2020 — September is Suicide Prevention Month. What can you do to help?... MORE

Graphic shows a road leading two directions - one to suicide the other to support.

VA joins Army in major DOD research effort to prevent suicides
September 15, 2020 — An ongoing Defense Department-directed epidemiological study recently got a helping hand that could help generate actionable recommendations to reduce military suicides... MORE

A Defense Department-directed epidemiological study, the Study to Assess Risk & Resilience in Servicemembers, recently teamed up with the Department of Veteran's Affairs July 27 to help produce actionable information for senior military leaders to help troops.

Suicide Prevention Month: The importance of connectedness
September 3, 2020 — Strong connectedness — the level of closeness we feel to others — not only enhances our quality of life, it can also save lives. ... MORE

During September —Suicide Prevention Month — the Department of Defense is focusing on Connectedness, using the slogan Connect To Protect to highlight how social connections and a sense of belonging can be a protective factor against suicide.

‘Connect to Protect’ during Suicide Prevention Month
August 28, 2020 — September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and this year’s theme is “Connect to Protect.”... MORE

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and this year’s theme is “Connect to Protect.”

Risk and resilience: Help for those struggling with thoughts of suicide
June 5, 2020 — Advocacy is the heart of the work of the Integrated Resilience Program. Found in the 502nd Air Base Wing headquarters building at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the Integrated Resilience Program provides services to each JBSA installation to enhance the quality of life... MORE

Volunteers show commuters ‘We Care’ at JBSA-Lackland entry gates
December 19, 2019 — If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please go directly to the Mental Health Clinic or to your closest emergency room. You can also reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Above all -- you matter and your Air Force Family cares about you. ... MORE

37th Training Wing military and civilian members hold positive messages of support at base gates during the morning inbound commute as part of their new initiative, “We Care,” at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Dec. 18, 2019. The initiative involved 37th Training Wing military and civilian members spending the morning at various gates letting each person know that they stand together in support of those struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide by holding a positive message of support and handing out over 400 candy canes. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, please go directly to the Mental Health Clinic or to your closest Emergency Room. You can also reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

DOD releases report on suicide among troops, military family members
September 27, 2019 — Defense Department officials have released a report focused on prevention and analysis of service member and family member suicides... MORE

Commentary: How suicide changed my life
September 17, 2019 — Learning about mindfulness has helped me acknowledge the thoughts I have that are harmful to my mental health. It has helped me learn not to be judgmental of myself when I do the wrong things or make bad decisions. It has given me the ability to treat myself with grace and forgive myself. ... MORE

Staff Sgt. Amanda Stanford, 59th Medical Wing broadcast journalist, shows both sides of depression Aug. 15, 2019 at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

Iraq veteran overcomes rough childhood, suicide attempt to achieve resilience
September 13, 2019 — An Iraq War veteran who endured a brutal childhood, testified against his mother during her murder trial and tried to end his own life brought his story of resilience and forgiveness to an audience of military members and civilians at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph this week... MORE

Andrew O’Brien, an Iraq War veteran and public speaker, shares his message of recreating a positive life from negative experiences at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Sept. 10, 2019. O’Brien endured a brutal childhood, testified against his mother during her murder trial and tried to end his own life; with this speaking engagement he shared his resilience and forgiveness to an audience of military members and civilians.

JBSA leaders sign proclamation observing Suicide Prevention Month
September 10, 2019 — Joint Base San Antonio leaders pledged support for programs and initiatives to reduce suicide among service members and their families, retirees, veterans and Department of Defense civilians in a ceremony held Sept. 3 at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio leaders pledged to support programs and initiatives to reduce suicide among service members and their families, retirees, veterans and Department of Defense civilians at a proclamation signing ceremony in observance of Suicide Prevention Month held at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Sept. 3. Signing the proclamation were (from left) Lt. Col. Chad Humphrey, U.S. Marine Corps officer in charge, Wounded Warrior Battalion East, Detachment San Antonio; Brig. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA commander; Rear Adm. Tina Davidson, Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command commander; Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) commander; and Cmdr. Libby Rasmussen, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Joint Task Force-West.

Executive order offers better access to mental health resources
September 4, 2019 — An executive order signed last year by President Donald J. Trump has already been especially helpful to transitioning service members, Karin Orvis, the director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, said... MORE

Executive Order 13822, "Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life," aims to help transitioning service members, ensuring access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources - particularly during the member's first year of transition after separation or retirement.

Two days could mean a lifetime to a Wingman
August 6, 2019 — Airmen can find the courage to help from Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, a suicide intervention skills training offered every month at Joint Base San Antonio. ASIST helps participants become more willing, ready and able to intervene with someone at risk of suicide... MORE

Armando O. Franco, wellness team lead, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, instructs unit and service members during an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training session, July 31, 2019, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The training is a two-day interactive workshop that teaches suicide first-aid initiatives.

Commentary: Refusing to be a bystander
April 16, 2019 — The Air Force encourages Airmen who identify an individual considering suicide to use the A.C.E. model: ask directly if a person is considering suicide, care by actively listening and removing means for self-injury, and escort the person to a helping organization. For more information, visit the Air Force suicide prevention website at www.af.mil/Suicide-Prevention... MORE

The Air Force encourages Airmen who identify an individual considering suicide to use the A.C.E. model: ask directly if a person is considering suicide, care by actively listening and removing means for self-injury, and escort the person to a helping organization. For more information, visit the Air Force suicide prevention website at http://www.af.mil/Suicide-Prevention.

Commentary: watching out for lost wingmen
February 27, 2019 — 6,079. That’s the number of veteran suicides for 2016, the most recent year reported. In some ways it’s just a random number and hard to put into any type of perspective. In many ways it’s sobering, sad, disturbing and disappointing... MORE

There is no shame in reaching out for help, asking for help, or letting others know you are lost.