Leaders who apply consistent and systematic whole of person and whole of unit strategies will positively affect individual and unit resilience outcomes. Suicide or self-harm behaviors are a result of a complex interaction of many factors which include: environmental, psychological, physical, and social elements. Because there is not one single solution; this challenge requires a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention efforts for communities and organizations. The Army’s approach operationalizes the public health approach, which includes defining the problem, identifying influencing risk and protective factors to describe the problem, then identifying, implementing, and evaluating helping agencies, programs, and services.
Army Suicide Prevention and Response Program aligns policies, practices, and programs that promote positive behavioral changes, strengthen personal and collective bonds, and build readiness and resilience through collaborative partnerships and evidence-based programs that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. Specific elements include stigma reduction efforts, help-seeking behaviors, and proactive activities (for example, financial literacy and skill building) before the point of crises, while supporting activities and services intended to improve the quality of life of Soldiers, Department of the Army , their Families, and installations.
Army Suicide Prevention and Response Program Office is not a crisis center and does not provide counseling services. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 and press 1 for the Military Crisis Line (NORTHCOM).