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#Be There - September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September 1, 2022 — JKO offers JS-US006 Joint Staff Suicide Awareness and Prevention, a one-hour ATRRS DL points course to educate civilians and military personnel about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide so they can identify potential problems in themselves, their coworkers (whether civilian or military), and even family members. ... MORE

JKO is dedicated to sharing helpful resources and information to aid in the awareness and prevention of suicide. Read on at www.jcs.mil/jko.

Suicide Prevention: BAMC Behavioral Health professionals are here to help
September 22, 2020 — Across the nation, there has been an increase in suicide deaths in the general population over the past decade. Suicides across the military have also increased, affecting every segment of the force – active, Guard and Reserve; officers and enlisted personnel... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center Behavioral Health professionals are here to assist service members and beneficiaries who seek help for their mental health and wellbeing. For more information, or help, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

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.

‘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.

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.”

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.

Commentary: preventing suicide ... starting with myself
September 13, 2019 — Other days, and even on good ones, the thought creeps up out of nowhere – an insidious sense of doubt. Of worthlessness and a sense of purposelessness that whispers in my ear and tells me that I will never accomplish the goals I have set for myself. The thoughts that make me ask why I shouldn’t just call it quits and end the sadness that plagues me... MORE

September is officially Suicide Prevention Month, but there is no timeline on reaching out to someone in need and you can learn how to be more aware of the subtle signs shown by those at risk twelve months a year. You may be the one to save a life.

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.

JBSA program provides information and resources on suicide prevention
August 23, 2019 — Active duty members, military family members, Department of Defense civilians and veterans who are experiencing thoughts of suicide have a program they can turn to at Joint Base San Antonio that can connect them with the resources they need to get help... MORE

Active duty service members, military family members, veterans and DOD civilians seeking help and resources for suicidal behaviors, substance abuse problems or risky behaviors, can contact members of the Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, including Ward at 210-221-2093; Leslie Noel, ASAP prevention coordinator, at 210-221-0326; or Alicia Cline, ASAP risk reduction coordinator, at 210-221-1696.

Suicide prevention month: stopping suicide is everyone’s battle
September 8, 2017 — September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time for Americans to build awareness and help understand suicide in our culture. More than 40,000 Americans lose their life due to suicide each year and research shows that rates in the military and the general population are very close. The loss of anyone to suicide is a tragedy, and that is why the Air Force is committed to the goal of zero suicides... MORE

Preventing suicide in the Air Force requires buy-in from every level, from senior leadership to junior Airmen. September is Suicide Prevention Month. Strengthening the connections you have in your life, with friends, family, coworkers and wingmen, helps build resiliency and guards against suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Commentary: September is Suicide Prevention Month
September 14, 2016 — Suicide Prevention Month is a good time to remind every military and civilian team member of the importance of strengthening our personal readiness and that of our family, workmates and friends through suicide awareness and prevention... MORE

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.