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Brandon Act aims to improve mental health support
May 8, 2023 — The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and allowing them to seek help confidentially, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said... MORE

A photo shows a young man wearing athletic clothes.

Secretary of Defense presses ahead with recommendations from suicide prevention committee
March 17, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has implemented the first of the recommendations made by the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee to address and prevent suicide in the military... MORE

Operation Resiliency aims to counter veteran suicides
December 15, 2022 — Operation Resiliency seeks to take advantage of the bonds forged in combat to help end the epidemic of suicides among U.S. veterans... MORE

Men dressed in casual clothing share a hug.

DOD begins hiring 'prevention' workforce
December 1, 2022 — The Department of Defense is working to create the healthy climates necessary to address a range of problematic and harmful behaviors, including suicide. This will be accomplished, in part, with a new and dedicated workforce focused on community-based prevention... MORE

Active duty suicide rate drops; Austin says more work needed
October 21, 2022 — The Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for 2021 shows a decrease in the suicide rate for active duty service members and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stresses the Department of Defense will not stop working to address the root causes of this issue... MORE

Online courses provide aid to those affected by suicide
September 22, 2022 — The Defense Department is now offering two online courses that provide support and guidance for those affected by suicide... MORE

New 988 dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
July 14, 2022 — Starting Saturday, July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will change to a new three-digit dialing code: 988. ... MORE

Graphic showing a photo of a girl on her cellphone and the following text: "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Coming July 16. Call, Text, Chat: SAMHSA's new 988 dialing code."

Gun safes excluded from household goods weight allowance
May 9, 2022 — As the number of accidental child injuries and deaths continue to rise, more and more incidents are attributed to unsecured, loaded guns. Defense leaders are confident this update will help improve overall gun safety in homes, while also helping to decrease service member suicides... MORE

Lethal means safety is key to suicide prevention
April 14, 2022 — Every death by suicide is an unnerving tragedy, and the Defense Department is taking a comprehensive public health approach to save lives through widespread education and evidence-based prevention practices in the face of one of the military's — and the nation's — most vexing public health crises... MORE

A service member’s silhouette stands near the entrance of a dark tunnel.

Army implements new suicide prevention initiative
November 30, 2021 — The Army is implementing a public health approach to suicide based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suicide prevention efforts. The new, comprehensive and integrated policies, which focus on prevention, rather than intervention, are outlined in the forthcoming Army Suicide Prevention Program regulation scheduled to be published in the first quarter of 2022... MORE

Sgt. Rebecca Landry and Spc. Asia Jones, 529th Support Battalion Soldiers, helped spread a powerful message in June to help reduce suicides within the Army.

DOD: Suicide prevention is ongoing issue for all personnel
October 27, 2021 — The health and well-being of service members, Department of Defense civilian employees and families is paramount for force readiness, said the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. on Oct. 25... MORE

Following report, DOD to redouble suicide prevention efforts
October 1, 2021 — Due to the "troubling" findings from the Defense Department Annual Suicide Report, the DOD will redouble its efforts to provide care and resources for all who need it and will work to reduce stigmas and barriers to care, the secretary of defense said... MORE

Relationships, connections, support critical to preventing suicide
September 15, 2021 — Challenges created by the pandemic have left many feeling stressed and isolated. During times like these, relationships and interpersonal connections to family and friends are vital to a person’s wellbeing... MORE

Relationships, connections and support critical to preventing suicide

JBSA members inspire others on We Care Day
April 16, 2021 — We Care Day is part of the Airman Comprehensive Fitness program that focuses on suicide awareness to assure wellness through prevention, education and intervention... MORE

Volunteers hold 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.

AFICC delivers innovative virtual reality suicide prevention training to save lives
March 18, 2021 — With a rise in suicides across the service, the Air Force Installation Contracting Center is helping leaders fast-track a pilot program at Air Mobility Command to help save lives... MORE

A participant in a virtual reality suicide prevention training pilot program sits while wearing a virtual reality headset and holding a virtual reality controller.

‘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.

JBSA Army Substance Abuse Program hosts suicide prevention webinar
December 14, 2020 — The Joint Base San Antonio Army Substance Abuse Program hosted a Suicide in Schools: Prevention and Intervention webinar Dec. 3... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aaron Gibson, 737th Training Group military training consult training NCOIC, holds signs in support of the We Care Day event Sept. 10, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

JBSA Suicide Prevention Taskforce coordinates resources
October 1, 2020 — Saving lives is the mission of the Joint Base San Antonio Suicide Prevention Task Force. ... MORE

Joint Base San Antonio's Suicide Prevention Task Force

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.

‘We Care’ message resonates throughout JBSA community
September 14, 2020 — Signs proclaiming “We Care” greeted motorists as they entered the gates of Joint Base San Antonio installations on an unseasonably cool Sept. 10 morning... MORE

Master Sgt. Tiffany Arrington, 12th Operations Group first sergeant, waves at people driving past her during the “We Care” event at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Sept. 10.