Suicide Prevention Outreach Toolkit
The Department of Defense (DoD) leverages a variety of activities, tools, and initiatives to build suicide prevention awareness. To support DoD’s efforts, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) created the Suicide Prevention Outreach Toolkit that offers materials and suggestions to help you execute your outreach initiatives throughout the year. The tools in the toolkit can be adapted for use year-round. This toolkit is also available in PDF format.
Who Should Use This Toolkit?
Anyone planning suicide prevention outreach within their installation, unit, or military or veteran community is encouraged to use this toolkit as a guideline for designing their campaign activities. Many of the items in the toolkit can be adapted or modified for different audiences as needed.
How Should This Toolkit Be Used?
This toolkit will contribute to a more visible and cohesive suicide prevention recognition, which will benefit DoD and the military community. The toolkit provides content and materials to aid in planning a suicide prevention outreach campaign for your community. A community can be Service members, veterans, DoD civilians, their families, and installations, ships, squadrons, etc. Though the toolkit provides a framework, communities should feel free to get creative! DoD and DSPO especially encourage ideas and initiatives that promote and reinforce the theme Connect to Protect: Support is Within Reach. For any questions, contact DSPO at osd.dspo.outreach@mail.mil.
Spread the Word
We encourage you to take steps throughout the year to promote the theme Connect to Protect: Support is Within Reach among Service members, veterans, DoD civilians, and military families. Every person has a part to play in reaching out, fostering connectedness, and preventing suicide. Please join us by participating in suicide prevention activities and programs within your community. Share the toolkit with others in your community, and brainstorm new ways to spread suicide prevention messages.
If you're communicating on social media, use the following hashtags to join the conversation: #ConnectToProtect and #BeThere. Don’t forget to tag us!