September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Rates of suicide in the United States has risen and it continues to be a leading cause of death. In 2019 alone, more than 47,500 lives were lost to suicide (CDC Report, 2020).

Please click HERE for information and resources to support suicide awareness.

WAR IN UKRAINE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Exposure to war causes a wide range of harmful mental health effects. Those living in Ukraine, refugees who are displaced, family and friends of Ukrainian citizens, as well as communities watching around the world may experience responses such as anger, fear, trouble with sleep, increased use of substances, and others. Reactions in children can be similar but may also include reverting to earlier childhood behaviors, isolation, aggression, and diminished school performance. Identifying these responses and providing early interventions can lower distress, enhance well-being, and improve the ability to care for ourselves and our families.

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Please click HERE for resources

Hurricane Fiona Disaster Resources to Support Community Recovery

Catastrophic natural disasters, such as Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, cause extreme disruption and distress for communities. Response and recovery can be complicated in communities still recovering from other disasters, including previous extreme weather events and the global COVID-19 pandemic (resources can be found here). Below are brief and easy-to-read education fact sheets with recommended actions to protect the mental health and well-being of individuals, communities, and organizations during Hurricane Fiona.

Please click HERE for resources

Army STARRS: Volume 6, Issue 1, Updated September 6, 2022

This document is an ongoing continuous summary of Army STARRS and STARRS-LS publications. STARRS/STARRS LS (2009 - present) is the largest and most comprehensive research project of mental health among U.S. Army Soldiers ever conducted. The project was designed to examine a broad range of risk and resilience (protective) factors across a complex set of outcomes including suicidal behaviors and associated mental health issues. Army STARRS scientists created a series of large and extensive databases with the potential to achieve groundbreaking results. These databases allow scientists to investigate a diverse combination of factors from demographic, psychological, biological, neurological, behavioral, and social domains with the goal of generating actionable findings for the Army. The project was designed using an adaptive approach which means it evolved as new information became available over the course of the project. The research team shared preliminary findings, as they became available, with senior Army leadership so the Army could apply them to its ongoing health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention efforts. The work is continuing under the STARRS Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) which runs from 2015 to 2025.

Suicide Prevention Program Site

Our Suicide Prevention Program site is live! The Center was entrusted to develop a Suicide Prevention Program to raise awareness of suicide as a public health problem and promote the mental health and well-being of Service members and beyond. The focus of the Program is to shape and support efforts across military and non-military populations to reduce suicidal behaviors and promote protective environments.