NATIONAL GUARD September 2023

CONTACT US

For more information on suicide prevention or other topics, email us at: 

ng.ncr.ngb.mbx.resiliency-branch@army.mil

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE your Service members to adopt at least one of the 

recommended resources this month to protect them from harm.

Connecting with friends, family 

members, and fellow Guardsmen 

provides a sense of belonging, 

purpose, and hope. The strength 

derived from that support forms 

a protective barrier that can 

keep us safe from harm. To 

enhance resiliency:

• Build protective environments. 

Create positive command 

climates that encourage 

open dialogue.

• Nurture healthy relationships. 

Invest in people that offer 

mutual respect, support, and 

encouragement. 

• Promote help-seeking 

behaviors. Share resources and 

praise the strength it takes to 

ask for help.

• Use safe messaging. Choose 

words that inspire hope and 

reduce the stigma associated 

with mental health.

TIPS FOR CULTIVATING 

CONNECTEDNESS

FACTS & FIGURES: DID YOU KNOW?

Suicide is a complex issue that impacts us all. However, some 

National Guard members are more vulnerable, and some methods 

of injury are more common. Reports from 2021, indicated:1

93% - Men

79% - White/Caucasian

48% - E1-E4 Rank 

72% - Firearm

PROTECTIVE & RISK FACTORS

The presence or absence of protective and risk factors influences 

overall health. Strengthening protective factors buffers against 

risk and helps us avoid harm. Protective factors include:2

• Connectedness and sense of belonging

• Coping and problem-solving skills

• Access to care and support services

• Lethal means reduction and safety planning

CONNECT 

TO PROTECT

SUPPORT IS WITHIN REACH

24/7 CONFIDENTIAL 

SUPPORT
The contents of this document are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

REFERENCES:

1. DoD Annual Report on Suicide in the Military 2021 www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/Documents/2022 ASR/Annual Report on Suicide in the 

Military CY 2021 with CY21 DoDSER (1).pdf?ver=tat8FRrUhH2IlndFrCGbsA%3d%3d

2. Risks & Warning Signs, Defense Suicide Prevention Office 

www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/Documents/Risks and Warning Signs.pdf

SPOTLIGHT: GUAM NATIONAL GUARD (GUNG) 

• DoD is recognizing GUNG for its outstanding efforts to promote suicide prevention education and awareness among Service 

members and their families.

• From 2021-2022, GUNG hosted awareness campaigns, conducted prevention and intervention trainings, and participated in 

community events to enhance connectedness and encourage help-seeking behaviors.

• GUNG also operates Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and Collect, which is an initiative to train Leaders on strategies 

to promote lethal means safety among Service members. 

RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND

The Holistic Wellness Challenge includes valuable tips and resources on a variety of topics (e.g., healthy relationships, 

workplace wellness, financial fitness, and lethal means safety) to promote healthy behaviors and prevent harm 

http://www.nationalguard.mil/Resources/Holistic-Wellness-Challenge

The Columbia Protocol is a risk assessment tool that consists of simple yes/no questions to identify if someone is at risk 

for suicide and inform the level of support needed https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale

(also available for download via Apple App Store or Google Play)

Military OneSource offers free, confidential, non-crisis counseling via phone, online chat, or video to help Service 

members and their families stay well and thrive http://www.militaryonesource.mil

Give an Hour provides free in-person and virtual mental health counseling, peer support, and resources for National 

Guard members https://giveanhour.org

Your Words Matter is a fact sheet that offers recommendations on what to say, what not to say, and why to help reduce 

stigma https://www.dspo.mil/Portals/113/DSPO-Your-Words-Matter-Factsheet.pdf

What does it mean?

• A holistic approach to suicide prevention focuses on enhancing protective factors and 

mitigating risk factors.

Why does it matter?

• Protective factors improve coping skills, which reduces the impact of risk factors and 

helps break the cycle of crisis and response. 

What can you do?

• Use and recommend resources, like the Columbia Protocol, to quickly identify Service 

members at risk and know when to intervene.

• Create a culture of trust that connects Service members with the resources needed to 

improve their health and well-being.

• Prioritize opportunities to interact with Service members, like sharing meals together.

• Encourage open and honest dialogue.

• Familiarize yourself with safe messaging and choose your words wisely.

• Urge Service members to participate in the DEOCS and WGR and remind them that their 

voice matters.

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUICIDE PREVENTION

It’s up to all of us to support and 

look out for one another. Our 

Soldiers, Airmen, civilians, and 

families must all play a part in 

creating a supportive and resilient 

environment. It starts with you – 

and it starts now. 

All National Guard members 

are strongly encouraged to 

participate in the 2023 Defense 

Organizational Climate Survey 

(DEOCS) and the Workplace and 

Gender Relations (WGR) Survey. 

Findings will provide an in-depth 

understanding of command 

culture and inform future 

prevention efforts.

FORCE-WIDE CLIMATE 

ASSESSMENT