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DOD officials underscore long-term commitment to suicide prevention
November 15, 2024 — The Defense Department remains committed to long-term, sustained efforts to prevent suicide throughout the total force, Pentagon officials said... MORE

A stack of brochures is displayed on a table.

Army adopts measures to combat against suicide
September 20, 2024 — In the past year, the Army bolstered its approach toward addressing suicide in its ranks by publishing an updated suicide prevention program policy and transforming messaging that stresses fostering healthy community and unit environments for Soldiers, family members, and Army civilians... MORE

DOD provides resources to ensure holistic support for those impacted by suicide
August 1, 2024 — The Defense Department remains committed to supporting and guiding members of the military community who have been affected by suicide as part of its holistic approach to suicide prevention and intervention... MORE

Three marines walk holding lighters at twilight.

DOD's FY 2025 budget focuses on defense, people, teamwork
May 1, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told lawmakers the Department of Defense budget request centers on defending the nation, taking care of service members and their families, and strengthening relationships with like-minded U.S. partners and allies... MORE

Two men, one in a suit, one in a military uniform, sit near each other at a long wooden table.

Navy launches Culture of Excellence 2.0
March 12, 2024 — The Navy launched Culture of Excellence 2.0 (COE 2.0) on March 11, 2024, as an actionable approach to building great culture at every Navy command... MORE

Culture of Excellence 2.0 Playbook Cover Graphic with subheader to "Building our Warfighters & Teams Ready to Fight & Win"
Released March 2024

DOD's 2025 budget request provides 4.5% raise for service members
March 12, 2024 — The Defense Department laid out details of its $849.8 billion budget request, which is expected to fund operations during fiscal year 2025... MORE

For service members, access to mental health care streamlined under Brandon Act
January 23, 2024 — The Brandon Act has greatly simplified and sped up the process of helping service members get mental health treatment if they need it... MORE

The Brandon Act written over a backround of green circles with patches of stars and stripes and the link text: Health.mil/BrandonAct.

Vogel Meditation Center teaches resilience through art, meditation, yoga
September 15, 2023 — When it comes to national security, the Department of Defense has three documents it depends on. One of those, the National Defense Strategy, contains four top-level priorities, including building a resilient Joint Force. To do that, resiliency teams are looking outside the box for innovative ways to create awareness and resilience among service members... MORE

Students sitting on the floor creating art.

Deputy Defense Secretary underscores DOD's commitment to suicide prevention
September 7, 2023 — The Defense Department remains relentlessly committed to the health and welfare of the total force, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said... MORE

Col. Daniel Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing vice commander, holds a sign reading, “You Matter” for Airmen entering the installation Sept. 9, 2022 at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.

Combat suicide with prevention, protection strategies
June 6, 2023 — There are many factors that contribute to someone committing suicide, making it difficult to decipher what preventive measures might have been helpful. The goal of suicide prevention is to reduce the risk factors and increase factors that promote resilience through multiple strategies... MORE

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

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.