Members of the military community often face emotional or psychological concerns from the stress of military life. For some, these feelings can lead to thoughts of hurting oneself or a suicide attempt. This toolkit contains key messages for communicators along with social media graphics and messages.
Suicide Prevention Videos
Messages for Communicators
Expand to See Messages for Communicators
- One life lost to suicide is too many.
- When we connect to protect, we build relationships and a community that enhances resilience and protects against suicide.
- Mental health is health.
- Seeking help is a sign of strength.
- Members of the military community often face emotional or psychological concerns from the stress of military life.
- The Department of Defense strives to eliminate barriers to care service members face when seeking mental health support.
- Service members are entitled to request help confidentially.
- Seeking care early can help address mental health challenges before they worsen and prevent a crisis.
- Reaching out to care for your mental health is an important, positive step in your military career.
- If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or having suicidal thoughts, reach out to a health care provider.
- You are not alone, and treatment can help.
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at 988 via phone call, text, or chat.
- Behavioral health resources like the inTransition program, Psychological Health Resource Center, Military OneSource resources, Chaplains, peer-to-peer counseling, anger management training, substance abuse programs, therapy, and many other non-clinical and clinical programs can lower the risk of suicide.
- Sometimes thoughts of suicide occur when a person feels overwhelmed by stress and emotions, or when a person has a mental health concern.
- Preventing suicide is a top priority for the DOD. Suicide risk can be reduced by promptly identifying risk, implementing protective measures (such as crisis response planning and the safe storage of firearms), and accessing evidence-based treatments.
- Feelings of isolation, avoiding others, and misusing alcohol or other substances can increase the risk of suicide.
Approved Graphics
Select from the graphics below to promote suicide prevention messaging on your social media platforms. Each graphic page has proposed social media copy you can use. Or, you can cake your own suicide prevention graphics using the graphic overlay. Simply resize your photo to 1080x1080 pixels, then import this transparent .png frame on top of your photo.
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Don’t wait until you’re in crisis to get help. www.health.mil/HereForYou #ConnectToProtect
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Recovery from suicide related thoughts or behaviors is possible. Often taking small steps to address problems early can make a big difference. Learn more about treatment options available: https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/Psychological-Health-Center-of-Excellence/PHCoE-Clinician-Resources/Suicide-Risk/Treatment-for ...
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What does suicide look like? It looks like the friends, family, and co-workers left behind. Treatment works – get help early. www.health.mil/HereForYou #ConnectToProtect
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This graphic overlay is intended for MTF and installation PAOs to develop their own Suicide Prevention graphics using standard, PAO-approved branding. Make your own suicide prevention graphics using this graphic overlay. Simply crop or resize your photo to 1080x1080 pixels, then import this transparent .png frame on top of your photo in PowerPoint or ...
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September is Suicide Prevention Month. Visit our toolkit for products that you and your organization can use to promote suicide prevention resources: https://health.mil/SuicidePreventionToolkit #ConnectToProtect
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Reach out for support. There are clinical and nonclinical resources available if you’re struggling with your mental health. www.health.mil/MentalHealth #ConnectToProtect”
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Don’t wait until you’re in crisis. Get help early if you’re struggling with your mental health: www.tricare.mil/MentalHealth #ConnectToProtect
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