Military service members’ lives are generally very different from the lives of civilians. Service members may be subject to frequent relocations, overseas deployments, and stressful experiences related to combat and significant time away from their families. Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently, and while some have reactions that can be seen as normal responses to life events, others may experience signs or symptoms of more serious conditions, including depression, traumatic brain injury, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Those coping with more serious concerns may feel like there is no escape from their difficulties.
Suicide is a serious public health concern, but is preventable.
Reach Out for Support
You are not alone. If you or a loved one needs immediate help, there are resources available to you.
Military Crisis Line |
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
Psychological Health Resource Center |
24/7, free support for all service members and veterans.
|
24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress.
|
24/7 support and assistance for service members, veterans and families.
|
Recognize the Signs of Those at Risk
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, there may be cause for concern. Seek professional guidance right away if you or your loved one, co-worker or friend is:
- Thinking about hurting or killing yourself/themselves or others
- Experiencing excessive rage, anger, or desire for revenge
- Seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means of harm
- Having feelings of anxiety, agitation, or hopelessness
- Talking or writing excessively about death, dying, or suicide
- Repeatedly reliving past stressful experiences
- Unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
- Experiencing uncharacteristic dramatic changes in mood or behavior
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or society
- Feeling there is no reason for living
- Engaging in significant alcohol or drug use
- Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
- Engaging in risky behavior, such as driving recklessly
You also may be interested in...
Presentation
Mar 11, 2010
.PDF |
1.26 MB
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program briefing presented to the Defense Health Board March 11, 2010
Presentation
Mar 11, 2010
.PDF |
1.48 MB
Army Reserve Suicide Prevention Program Information Briefing presented to the Defense Health Board March 11, 2010
Presentation
Mar 1, 2010
.PDF |
321.79 KB
DoD Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces presented to the Defense Health Board March 1, 2010
Presentation
Jan 15, 2010
.PDF |
575.42 KB
Summary of Key Findings from the Mental Health Advisory Team 6 OEF and OIF presented to the Defense Health Board January 15, 2010
Presentation
Jan 15, 2010
.PDF |
1.63 MB
DoD VA Conference Suicide Brief presented to the Defense Health Board January 15, 2010
Presentation
Jan 15, 2010
.PDF |
343.56 KB
DoD Patient Suicide Root Cause Analysis Process presented to the Defense Health Board January 15, 2010
Presentation
Nov 13, 2009
.PDF |
339.26 KB
DoD Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces Update presented to the Defense Health Board Nov. 13, 2009
Presentation
Nov 10, 2009
.PDF |
473.01 KB
Epidemiological Studies WRAIR presented to the Defense Health Board Nov. 10, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
.PDF |
2.39 MB
Suicide Prevention Valuable Information Learned from Army Surveillance and Research presented to the Defense Health Board Oct. 1, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
.PDF |
387.91 KB
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program presented to the Defense Health Board October 1, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
.PDF |
1.33 MB
Navy DoD Suicide Task Force Brief presented to the Defense Health Board Oct. 1, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
.PDF |
347.61 KB
Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Program presented to the Defense Health Board Oct. 1, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
.PDF |
861.25 KB
Army Health Promotion and Risk Reduction Campaign presented to the Defense Health Board Oct. 1, 2009
You are leaving Health.mil
The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the Defense Health Agency may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.
You are leaving Health.mil
View the external links disclaimer.
Last Updated: September 22, 2023