Defense Suicide Prevention Office | SP Prevention Outreach Toolkit

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If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Veteran/Military Crisis Line for immediate assistance.Dial 988 then press 1

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Communications Toolkit 2024

September is Suicide Prevention Month (SPM). The Department of Defense (DoD) marks SPM with a variety of activities, tools, and initiatives. To support the DoD’s efforts, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) created the 2024 SPM Communications Toolkit that offers materials and suggestions to help you execute your communication initiatives during the month and throughout the year. As the DoD acknowledges suicide prevention is a year-round effort, the tools in the toolkit can be adapted for use during September and year-round.

Who Should Use This Toolkit?
DSPO encourages anyone planning an SPM observance within their installation, unit, or military community to use this toolkit as a guideline for designing their campaign activities. Planners can adapt or modify many of the items in the toolkit for different audiences as needed.
How Should Your Team Use This Toolkit?
This toolkit will contribute to a more visible and cohesive SPM recognition, which will benefit the DoD and the military community. The toolkit provides content and materials to aid in planning an SPM campaign for your community. Though the toolkit provides a framework, DoD and DSPO especially encourage ideas and initiatives that promote and reinforce the theme Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect in accordance with law and DoD regulations.
Spread the Word
We encourage you to take steps in September and throughout the year to promote the theme Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect. Every person has a part to play in reaching out and preventing suicide. Please join us during September by participating in suicide prevention activities and programs within your community. Share the toolkit with others, and brainstorm new ways to spread suicide prevention messages during September and beyond.

If you're communicating on social media, use the following hashtags to join the conversation: #JoiningYourFight, #ConnectToProtect, and #988. Don’t forget to tag us!
Talking Points and Key Messages
See the below talking points to share information about suicide prevention and how the DoD is #JoiningYourFight to end suicide among Service members, veterans, DoD civilians, and their families.
- [Installation, unit, etc.] is committed to preventing suicide across the Total Force.
- Suicide prevention is a DoD priority throughout the year.
- During September —SPM — the Department brings added attention to the complex issue of suicide and emphasizes the available resources and supports.
- This year the DoD’s SPM theme, Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect, highlights the significant role that connections to family, friends, community members, and resources play in preventing suicide.
- We have a moral duty to protect each other — now more than ever.
How can you be a year-round suicide prevention advocate for your unit, peers, or family?

Join the Fight. Supporting those struggling with thoughts of suicide can take time, energy, and effort. Self-care and knowing your limits are key to staying resilient while being there for others.
- Be willing to listen and talk to others.
- Learn about suicide prevention resources and tools for prevention, including the availability of chaplain support and services.
- Adopt lethal means safety as a normalized practice in your day-to-day life.
- Spend time with friends and family members — whether in-person or virtually, depending on what works best.
- Seek support from peers, family, or health professionals when you need it.
Connect with Others. There are many ways to #JointheFight for members of your community and strengthen connections. Show your support.
- Check in with friends and family. Let them know you care.
- Use de-stigmatizing language and safe ways to talk about suicide.
- Plan activities that you can enjoy together.
- Listen when they want to talk.
- Accept what he or she has experienced without judgment.
- Resist the temptation to problem-solve.
- Reassure them.
- Express care and concern.
- Encourage them to get help and stay in touch with friends and family.
Speak Up. If you are concerned about someone, ask if they are thinking about suicide, have a plan, and have the means, such as a firearm, medication, or other method of self-harm.

Listen and Offer Support. Be calm and express concern. Take what they say seriously and ask how you can help.
- Act Quickly. If you have a concern that they are at imminent risk for suicide, do not leave them alone and seek help immediately. Contact a crisis line, chaplain, health provider, emergency room, or 911. The Veterans / Military Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (press 1). If you are on the phone with an individual who you believe is in immediate danger, try to keep him or her on the line while you or someone else calls 911.
- Ask if there is someone nearby who could offer support and keep talking to the individual until help arrives.
Remember, there is no one “fix,” and no single person or organization can prevent suicide alone.

Media Campaign Documents

Sample Press Release Publicize your events and activities during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with a press release distributed to your local news outlets. Use this template and update it with your unique activities. DOWNLOAD
Sample Public Service Announcements Help promote Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with the use of our sample public service announcements on your local radio broadcast stations. These templates are available and ready for you to download and tailor for your local events and activities. DOWNLOAD
Sample Blog / Newsletter Submission: Raise awareness about your local events and engagements for suicide prevention awareness in your community. DOWNLOAD
Social Media Toolkit Take advantage of special messaging and campaign materials to promote Suicide Prevention Awareness tools and resources online. download

Leaders Suicide Prevention Safe Messaging Guide Talking safely about suicide doesn’t lead to suicide. We can all talk about suicide safely — it starts with knowing the facts and using caring and sensitive language. Check out the Leaders Suicide Prevention Safe Messaging Guide here to communicate safely about suicide. DOWNLOAD
Lethal Safety Means Safety Guide This SPM, DoD is focusing on promoting lethal means safety to reduce suicide risk. Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp objects) used to engage in suicidal behavior. Research shows that adding time and distance between an individual with suicide risk and lethal means (e.g., via safe storage and making it more difficult to access) has shown to be an effective way to prevent death by suicide. For more information on lethal means safety and suicide prevention methods, share the Means Safety for Military Service Members and Their Families guide and the Stop, Lock, and Live lethal means safety public service announcement video, along with the other tools and the accompanying Service Implementation Guide as part of your SPM observance. Read below for a quick overview of lethal means safety and share some of these resources on ways to join the fight. DOWNLOAD
Campaign Fact Sheet Speak in a united voice with a clear understanding of the Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect campaign. Use our campaign fact sheet to understand everything there is to know about the Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect campaign. DOWNLOAD
Talking About Suicide Online Fact Sheet Writing clear and stigma-free communication is an essential component of maintaining credibility as a subject-matter leader in suicide prevention. Take advantage of the Talking About Suicide Online fact sheet to understand the nuances of writing communications about suicide prevention. DOWNLOAD

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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Communications Toolkit 2024