Leaders have the power and responsibility to protect 

their Soldiers on and off the battlefield. This includes 

recognizing uncharacteristic and suicidal behaviors.

Effective suicide prevention requires everyone 

in the unit to be aware of the risk factors for 

suicide and know how to respond. Commanders, 

noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and supervisors 

must lead the way. 

If a Soldier seems suicidal, the time to take action is 

NOW. Talk to the Soldier before it is too late.

What to Look For: Warning Signs

Distress can lead to the development of unhealthy 

behaviors. People closest to the Soldier (fellow 

Soldiers, family, friends) are in the best position to 

recognize changes due to distress and to provide 

support. 

Look For:

 Comments that suggest thoughts or plans 

of suicide. 

 Rehearsal of suicidal acts. 

 Giving away possessions. 

 Obsession with death, dying, etc. 

 Uncharacteristic behaviors (e.g., reckless driving, 

excessive drinking, stealing). 

 Significant change in performance. 

 Appearing overwhelmed by recent stressor(s). 

 Depressed mood; hopelessness.

 Withdrawal from social activities.

A Leader'S Guide 

to Suicide Prevention

RESOURCES

Following are some of the resources available to help 

leaders respond to Soldiers who may be at risk for suicide.

 Leaders can contact their unit chaplain or mental health 

provider.

 AKO: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/334798

 USACHPPM: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/

dhpw/Readiness/suicide.aspx

 Army G1: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide.asp 

D ecem b er 2011

TA-060-1211

Photo courtesy of DoD

PROTECTING OUR SOLDIERS

Effective 

suicide prevention 

requires everyone in the 

unit to be aware of the 

risk factors for suicide 

and know how to 

respond. 

Commanders, NCOs, 

and supervisors must 

lead the way. 

RESOURCES

Following are some of the resources available to help 

leaders respond to Soldiers who may be at risk for suicide.

 Leaders can contact their unit chaplain or mental health 

provider.

 AKO: https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/334798

 USACHPPM: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/

dhpw/Readiness/suicide.aspx

 Army G1: http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/suicide.asp 

http://phc.amedd.army.mil

1-800-222-9698

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.
What to Do

It is best for mental health or medical professionals 

to assess and manage suicidal Soldiers, but there may 

be times when unit leaders or peers find themselves 

on the phone with a suicidal Soldier. In any situation, 

if a Soldier threatens suicide, take him very seriously. 

You may have very limited time and only one chance 

to intervene. The most important thing to do is take 

action.

By Phone: 

 Establish a helping relationship (get your foot in 

the door). 

 Quickly express that you are glad the Soldier 

called. 

 Immediately get the telephone number that he is 

calling from in case you are disconnected. 

 Find out where the Soldier is located. 

 Get as much information as possible about the 

Soldier’s plans, access to means of self-harm, and 

intent. 

 Listen and do not give advice. 

 Keep the Soldier talking as long as possible until 

help can reach him but avoid topics that agitate him 

(i.e., his unfair supervisor, cheating spouse, etc.). 

 Follow up and ensure the Soldier is evaluated.

In Person: 

 Find out what is going on with the Soldier. 

 Use open-ended questions such as: "How are things 

going?" or "How are you dealing with...?"

 Share concern for his well-being. 

 Be honest and direct. 

 Listen to words and emotions. 

 Repeat what he says using his words. 

 Ask directly about his intent, i.e., “Are you 

thinking about suicide?” This will not put new 

ideas in his head. 

 Keep the Soldier safe—DO NOT leave him alone; 

have a capable Soldier with him at ALL times. 

Take steps to remove potential means of self-harm 

including firearms, pills, knives, and ropes. 

 Involve security if the Soldier is agitated or combative. 

 The command should escort the Soldier to the military 

treatment facility (MTF) or civilian emergency room 

(ER) if the MTF is unavailable. 

 Follow up and verify that the Soldier was evaluated. 

 If psychiatric hospitalization is required, talk to the 

MTF staff about what assistance is needed (e.g., 

arranging for necessary belongings, child care, or pet 

care). 

 Monitor the Soldier until you are convinced the Soldier 

is no longer at risk. 

 The Soldier may be so intent on suicide that he becomes 

dangerous to those attempting to help him. Talk to a 

mental health provider for advice on whether to call 

an ambulance or transport him yourself. If the advice 

is to transport him in your vehicle, a person must 

sit at each door to prevent the suicidal Soldier from 

exiting the moving vehicle. Have your appointed 

contact person give the mental health provider the unit 

commander’s telephone number for feedback following 

the evaluation. During duty hours, contact your MTF. 

After duty hours, contact the post or civilian ER. Mental 

health evaluations must be conducted in a location 

where medical support and security are available. 

If there is not an ER on post, the MTF duty crew 

will handle suicide risk assessments using the local 

community medical or mental health facilities.

What to Avoid

Leaders should let their Soldiers know they are safe and in 

good hands if they ask for help. 

 Do NOT minimize the problem. Do NOT ask, “Is that 

all?” 

 Do NOT overreact to the problem. 

 Do NOT create a stigma about seeking mental health 

treatment.

 Do NOT give simplistic advice such as, “All you have 

to do is...” 

 Do NOT tell the Soldier to “suck it up,” or “get over it." 

 Do NOT make the problem a source of unit gossip. 

Involve others on a need-to-know basis.

 Do NOT delay a necessary referral.

Troubleshooting

Possible Scenarios:

The Soldier refuses voluntary evaluation for 

suicide risk: Contact your local MTF for advice. 

In general, consent is not required to transport the 

suicidal Soldier to the MTF or ER. 

The Soldier is found to be at some risk but 

not hospitalized: Work with the medical staff 

on the best course of action. Upon return to the 

command, the medical staff should: 

» Communicate the current level of risk. 

» Recommend protective measures and 

monitoring, if any.

» Provide administrative recommendations 

(duty status, suitability, separation, and 

retention). 

» Schedule medical follow-up appointments. 

Treatment is offered, but the Soldier refuses 

treatment: Soldiers not at imminent risk cannot 

be mandated to receive medical or mental health 

treatment. Leaders and mental health providers 

must collaborate to maximize the Soldier’s safety. 

Upon return to the command, the medical staff 

should: 

» Communicate the current level of risk. 

» Provide advice on protective measures and 

monitoring, if any.

» Recommend any administrative restrictions 

(duty status, separation/retention). 

» Schedule medical follow-up appointments.

» Provide a course of action if the Soldier’s risk 

of self-harm increases or does not improve. 

The Soldier is treated but is not getting better: 

Work closely with the medical staff on the best 

course of action. Medical staff may: 

» Have other treatment approaches available 

(different medications or therapies). 

» Recommend changing the Soldier to limited 

duty status to receive additional treatment. 

» Recommend administrative actions or 

medical retirement in cases where long-term 

improvement is unlikely with any reasonable 

treatment. 

As a leader, you have the power to make a difference, 

to save a life, and to set a positive example.