ONNECT•VE

R S ATINNS

FETY •• CARE•SACOSuicide Prevention ProgramCO

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF TRAUMATIC STRESS (CSTS) | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | www.CSTSonline.org

LEADER ACTION CHECKLISTPreventing & Responding to Suicide Events
Early Engagement❑ Get to know your unit personally through one-on-one
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meetings and unit social events
Engage with people early when you think there is aproblem and follow up regularly
Model strong self-care (e.g., sleep, nutrition, stressmanagement, time off)
Identify and address unit stressors (organizational,relationship, financial, legal, etc.)
Keep units informed of decisions that may impact them
Encourage participation in unit planning and develop astrong mentoring system
Have activities that promote unit cohesion and encourage
peer support
Ensure access to resources to improve stress andperformance (fitness, sleep, nutrition, relaxation)
Eliminate policies and procedures that stigmatize or create
barriers to help-seeking
Create a culture that encourages people to seek help early
before problems worsen
Create connections to chaplains and behavioral health andrequest prevention outreachTalk about safely storing firearms and other methods ofharm (e.g., pills, poisons)Responding to Suicide Ideation orAttempt❑ Address gossip with information that can be shared❑ Be active in safety planning, including removal and safe

storage of lethal means❑ Do not give up on the person or label them as “weak” or
a "lost cause”❑ Connect with a peer or mentor to support you in theprocess of navigating a crisis

Responding to a Suicide Death❑ Immediately contact appropriate law enforcement andfirst responder teams❑ Ensure notification to chain of command, chaplain, andbehavioral health team
❑ Contact behavioral health expert before announcing
death to unit
❑ Lead by being PAV:❑❑❑❑

❑ Tell the person you are there to help❑❑ Ensure immediate safety; Calmly remove any means that❑

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could be used for self-injury in a crisis
Directly ask the service member if they have suicidal
thoughts: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
Do not leave the service member experiencing acrisis alone
If time permits, consult with behavioral healthcare, other
healthcare provider, or chaplain
For immediate evaluation, escort service member to theemergency room, behavioral health, or chaplain
Share details about the situation with only those whoneed to know

PRESENT in your unit — more than usual
ACTIVE — walk around in the unit and events
talking to each member
x VISIBLE — let members know you are there
Consult with the chaplain about unit sponsoredmemorial services
Promptly identify family & survivors for referral to mental
health & bereavement resources
Check-in and support survivors throughout grieving
Provide information that is public about the suicide; Focus
on the loss of the person vs. how they died
Address rumors and discourage gossip
Openly acknowledge grief and loss; genuine expressions ofemotion can help others heal
Remind people it’s okay to feel sad or angry
Create opportunities for unit members to be together andstay connected
Reach out to people who seem disconnected or
drifting away
Role model, encourage, and facilitate self-care to avoid
burnout & compassion fatigue
Remind people there is support available, includingchaplains and behavioral health
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https://www.cstsonline.org/suicide-prevention-program/