Missed Opportunities for Military Suicide Prevention: Perspectives of Suicide Loss Survivors

Suicide remains a significant public health problem for the United States military, and surviving family members of military suicide can help generate lessons learned for suicide prevention. Individuals who lost a family member to military suicide (N D 66) rated the likelihood that 25 specific suicide prevention activities may have prevented the decedent’s suicide. The highest rated activities included (a) mental health stigma reduction; (b) military leadership caring, support, and guidance; (c) confidential mental health service provision; (d) appropriate crisis management services; and (e) recognition of warning signs. Findings are discussed within the framework of future research and policy endeavors.